Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in the support of women’s reproductive health, including symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). The use of wild yam for PMS Type C (the “C” standing for “cravings” and symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and increased appetite for sweets) is based largely on traditional and anecdotal evidence rather than robust scientific research. Historically, wild yam has been used for its purported antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as for balancing female hormones, although it does not contain actual progesterone or estrogen.

The root contains diosgenin, a steroidal saponin, which can be chemically converted into progesterone in the laboratory. This led to the misconception that the body can convert diosgenin into hormones, but this process does not occur naturally in humans. Despite this, wild yam extracts have been marketed and used in herbal formulas aimed at alleviating PMS symptoms, especially those believed to be related to hormonal imbalances.

However, clinical evidence supporting wild yam’s effectiveness for PMS Type C is minimal. Most available studies are either limited in scope, use combination products, or do not focus on PMS specifically. While some women report symptom relief, this is likely due to placebo effect or other ingredients in multi-herb preparations. In summary, wild yam’s use in PMS Type C is primarily supported by tradition and anecdotal reports rather than by modern scientific validation.

More about wild yam
More about PMS Type C

Other ingredients used for PMS Type C

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Products containing wild yam

Metagenics Licorice Plus®
Thorne Meta-Balance
Vitabase Women's Support