Wild Yam (Dioscorea)
Often marketed as 'natural progesterone' — but the body doesn't actually convert wild yam to hormones. Real effects are mild, anti-inflammatory and symptomatic.
Limited modern clinical evidence. Mild anti-inflammatory and symptomatic relief in some menopause / PMS trials. The 'natural progesterone' claim is not supported. Effects: 4–8 weeks.
Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa and related species) contains diosgenin, a sapogenin that's used industrially as a starting material to synthesise progesterone, DHEA, and other steroid hormones in factories. The body, however, cannot perform this conversion — so 'wild yam = natural progesterone' marketing is misleading. Real effects come from anti-inflammatory action and possibly weak phytoestrogenic activity. Modest evidence in menopause symptom relief and menstrual cramps. Useful enough at the margins; not a hormone replacement.
- Form
- Wild yam extract standardised to diosgenin. Topical wild yam creams (often co-formulated with bioidentical progesterone — read label carefully).
- Dose
- Extract: 300–500 mg 2–3x daily.
- Timing
- With food.
- Schedule
- Daily during cyclical / menopausal symptom periods.
- Side effects
- Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI upset at high doses.
- Interactions
- Hormonal medications — theoretical (weak phytoestrogenic effects). Anticoagulants — mild.
- Contraindications
- Hormone-sensitive cancers (relative). Pregnancy. Protein S deficiency.
- Lab markers
- Not standard.
- Food sources
- Wild yam itself (the plant) is generally not eaten — different species from sweet potato or culinary yams.
Pairs with
Black cohosh, vitex (women's hormonal blend). Magnesium, B6 (PMS stack).
Where to buy
Prices are checked periodically and drift — Amazon’s is the live one. We take no commission on these links.
within Herbs & botanicals