Pygeum
Pygeum is an herbal extract made from the bark of the African cherry tree (Prunus africana). It’s most commonly used for urinary symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and it’s often included in “prostate support” blends. Clinical trials and reviews suggest it may help some urinary symptoms in BPH, though studies vary a lot in extract type, dose, and quality, and long-term safety data are limited. (PMC)
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This page summarizes anecdotal reports and community observations, not medical evidence. Reports may be incomplete, biased or inaccurate and are not medical advice or recommendations. “Risk” here refers to how frequently severe or prolonged symptom worsening is reported, not to proven causation or population-wide probability. Individual responses vary widely, and absence of issues in some users does not rule out significant reactions in others.
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Within PFS/PSSD/PAS communities, pygeum is discussed in relation to its potential interactions with androgen receptor signaling pathways. Beyond anti-inflammatory effects discussed in the literature, some constituents from pygeum bark have been described as anti-androgenic in experimental models—most notably atraric acid, which has been shown to antagonize androgen-receptor (AR) signaling and interfere with AR nuclear transport in lab research. There are also older experimental findings and reviews discussing possible effects on androgen-related enzymes (including 5-alpha-reductase in certain contexts). These mechanisms may interact with pathways involving androgen receptor signaling and 5-alpha-reductase that are often discussed in relation to PFS / PSSD / PAS. (PMC)
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Reports of Flares & Crashes (for PFS/PSSD/PAS):
Among individuals who already have PFS/PSSD/PAS, pygeum is approached with moderate caution. Pygeum is generally discussed as low upside (most people don’t report meaningful improvements in the core syndrome), while still carrying a non-zero risk of flares/crashes—especially in people who are already reactive to androgen-pathway substances. When negative reactions are described, they’re usually framed as symptom destabilization (mood/anhedonia, anxiety, sleep, sexual symptoms).
For individuals without these conditions, pygeum is widely used and tolerated by many for BPH-related urinary symptoms, but product variability and formulation differences exist.
Evidence basis: Clinical reviews/trials for BPH urinary symptoms; mechanistic/ex-vivo literature describing anti-androgenic AR antagonism (e.g., atraric acid) and possible androgen-pathway interactions; anecdotal reports (online forums, self-reports); no controlled studies evaluating pygeum's effects in PFS/PSSD/PAS specifically.
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Crash / Baseline Drop (Reported)
Public comments reflect individual experiences and opinions. They are not medical advice and may not be accurate or representative.