Wild Yam Hormone Balancing: A Simple Solution for Conquering Menopause

As I write this, November seems like an eternity from here. Almost nine months away. But I already have Thanksgiving on my mind. Why? Because of yams, especially because of their hormone-balancing benefits.

Yams for health? Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. “I already eat yams, especially on Thanksgiving.” Well, no, you don’t. Those “yams” you’re piling on your plate? They’re actually sweet potatoes—a totally different species. Not that sweet potatoes aren’t healthy; they’re loaded with beta-carotene, which is great for the eyes. But when you’re already facing a mini-mountain of mashed potatoes, adding sweet potatoes is like fueling the carb overload fire. Lesson learned: maybe ditch the mashed potatoes and load up on green beans and a sweet potato. 

Okay, I’ve totally gone on a tangent, haha!

What I want to talk about isn’t eating yams but taking wild yam extract as a supplement to help balance your hormones.

Why Wild Yam Extract is Good for Balancing Hormones

Wild yam contains a compound called diosgenin, which has been used in laboratories to synthesize various steroidal hormones, including estrogen and progesterone. This has led to the belief that wild yam can naturally balance hormones, especially in peri- and menopausal women.

So how does wild yam work for hormone balancing? It’s a phytosteroid. This means it’s a plant compound with a structure similar to steroids naturally produced by the human body. Steroids have hormonal effects. Wild yam can have mild estrogen-like effects, which is why some functional medicine practitioners recommend it to their patients as a natural remedy for menopause symptoms.

Diosgenin is the active compound in wild yam. It’s the raw material for the laboratory production of various medical steroids, including progesterone, cortisone, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). So, is diosgenin from wild yam the same as lab-manufactured steroids? No, not exactly. But again, wild yam has mild steroid-like effects. “Mild” is precisely what you want with bioidentical hormone therapy. Hormones are just like us when we’re on our cycle or having menopausal symptoms: sensitive. It doesn’t take a lot of these chemical messengers to alter how we look or feel. That’s why subtly, not drastically, altering hormone levels is the best course of action. 

How Do You Use Wild Yam for Bioidential Hormone Therapy? 

Wild yam is available in supplement form or as a topical cream that is applied to the skin. I can recommend a reputable product for you. 

Focus on Female Hormones: Peri- and Menopausal Women

For women going through peri-menopause or menopause, hormone levels fluctuate, leading to symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. Some believe that wild yam can alleviate these symptoms due to its estrogen-like effects. However, studies have shown mixed results. For instance, a study found that treatment with wild yam cream for three months had little effect on menopausal symptoms.

Testosterone Matters Too

Ladies, let’s talk testosterone. No, you’re not going to get Arnold Schwarzenegger-sized biceps if your testosterone levels go up a wee bit. The key is to have optimal testosterone levels. This is important for maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and a healthy libido. Balanced testosterone can help you get leaner, making those jeans fit better.

Getting a Baseline: Lab Tests

If you’re feeling fatigued most of the time, struggling to lose weight, or noticing a dip in your libido, there’s a good chance your hormone levels are imbalanced. As a functional medicine practitioner, I can help you order comprehensive lab tests to get a baseline reading of your current hormone levels. This isn’t about guesswork; it’s about data-driven decisions.

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy and Wild Yam

Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT) involves using hormones that are chemically identical to those the human body produces. These hormones are often synthesized from plant sources like wild yam. 

Research-Backed Insights

This isn’t New Age stuff; it’s research-backed. For example, a study evaluated the efficacy of wild yam hormonal salve in managing menopausal symptoms. The study observed 34 females aged 40-49 over three weeks and found a persistent pattern of escalating beneficial outcomes with extended use of the hormonal salve. Most individuals did not encounter any adverse effects, reinforcing the salve’s safety profile. Notably, the occurrence of night sweats showed consistent improvement, reaching a relief rate of 82.3% after three weeks.

Think about the potential! You’ve been sweating through the sheets for weeks, or perhaps even years. Then you use a bioidenctical cream or salve. And a few weeks later, you experience an 82% relief rate? Sign me up! Especially now that I turned 40 earlier this year, I’ll probably need bioidentical hormone therapy sooner than later. 

Take the First Step In Feeling Your Best Again

If you want to start living your best life and wake up with abundant energy, the first step is to get those baseline lab tests. I can order them for you, review the results, and create a custom plan based on your needs (which may or may not include bioidentical hormone therapy). 
Make that critical first step today. Schedule an appointment with the Diabetes & Wellness Clinic in Norfolk. That’s where I see clients who live in the northeast Nebraska area. They take insurance! Give ‘em a call today.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you reach your health goals.

Until next time,

Jenna Witt, NP
Nurse Practitioner
Founder, Fundamental Wellness of Nebraska