Prostamol: a Serenoa supplement for the prostate

Prostamol is a food supplement produced by the Menarini based exclusively on Serenoa repens, better known as saw palmetto.

The oily extracts of this palm fruit (320 mg per capsule) contain fatty acids, phytosterols (such as β-sitosterol), flavonoids and polysaccharides. It is packaged in soft capsules with gelatine, glycerol and water, and is gluten-free.

What Prostamol is used for

It is mainly used by men over 40-50 years of age to promote prostate and urinary tract function.

It is indicated in the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), characterised by symptoms such as difficulty initiating urination, weak flow, nocturnal urination and a feeling of incomplete emptying.

Its use is not therapeutic in the strict sense, but it can partially alleviate urinary symptoms, thanks to a triple action:

• Modulates enzyme activity 5-alpha-reductase, limiting the formation of the dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which stimulates prostate growth;
• It shows anti-androgenic and anti-estrogenic properties;
• It exerts an anti-inflammatory and anti-oedematous action on the urinary tract.

Efficacy of Prostamol

Systematic reviews and Cochrane analyses evaluated the efficacy of Serenoa repens (the active ingredient in Prostamol) on thousands of patients. The results indicate that:

• In the treatment of urinary symptoms from BPH, the effect is modest or close to placebo, with an average score improvement IPSS of approximately -0.9 points (with evidence of high quality).
• Quality of life shows no significant improvement compared to placebo.
• Adverse events are similar to the control groups, confirming a good security profile.

Therefore, evidence suggests that Prostamol may offer limited and subjective benefits in urinary BPH disorders, but is generally well tolerated.

Sources: [wjmh.org], [cochrane.org].

It is generally recommended to take 1 capsule after meals, regular and continuous intake for at least 2-3 months, as the effect manifests itself slowly over time.

Contraindications and side effects

Although it is well tolerated, there are some cautions:

• Contraindicated in case of known hypersensitivity to Serenoa repens or excipients.
• Some users may experience mild gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, diarrhoea) or rare allergic reactions.
• In the presence of drug therapies, especially hormonal or prostate-related ones, it is prudent to consult your doctor to avoid potential interferences.

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Where to find the package leaflet

You can find the product's official package leaflet here, containing detailed information on composition, method of use and warnings:

Prostamol package leaflet - Menarini (PDF) [prostamol.co.uk].