Fact Check: Can applying Yam Cream Restore Hormone Imbalance naturally in 1 year?

A recent Instagram post claims that applying Yam Cream Restore Hormone Imbalance naturally in 1 year. This post is FALSE.

Claim

An Instagram post by user  health1solutions claims that applying yam cream will restore hormone imbalance naturally in 1 year. The Instagram post by health1solutions titled “How wild yam cream is used for hormonal balancing, a natural supplement to balance hormone” the women explain that polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the many symptoms of hormonal imbalance. So you can have 50 women with a hormone imbalance one will have fibroids, one will have endometriosis, one will have headaches and migraines with periods, one will have depression and one will have polycystic ovarian syndrome, can you see what I'm saying? But it's all caused by one thing a hormonal imbalance. She further explains that there can be many reasons why the hormones are out of balance. The good news is that the same thing will fix them all, starting to apply the Yam cream that should be applied for at least one year. It might have taken 20 years to get to this, but it won't take 20 years to undo that might take a year and so again, it's applying that Yam cream being consistent, every day three weeks a month. She then goes on to explain that it will get the balance back home and that's gone up high is estrogen which causes cell proliferation that’s the growth for one woman it's endometriosis, for another woman it's polycystic ovarian syndrome, for another woman, it's fibroid. She concluded by asking can you see what I’m saying that the yam cream will balance it back.

The post has 9,868 likes and can be assessed here.

Fact Check

This claim is False. The video promotes yam cream as a solution for various serious health conditions without valid scientific backing. This type of claim is not only unsupported but can also be harmful, as it may discourage individuals from seeking appropriate medical treatment.

What is Hormonal Imbalance?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney illness, hormonal imbalance is a condition defined by abnormally high or low levels of hormones in the blood, or by the presence of an endocrine illness or disorder.  Both men and women experience hormonal difficulties. Endocrine diseases and disorders can occur when the body does not respond to hormones properly. The endocrine system consists of eight primary glands throughout the body, including the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas. This system influences growth, metabolism, sexual function, and mood. (4)

As per World Health Organization (WHO), PCOS, endometriosis, and fibroids are complicated conditions caused by a mix of genetic, environmental, behavioral, and hormonal factors that can impact fertility. Furthermore, exposure to environmental contaminants and chemicals can be directly hazardous to gametes (eggs and sperm), resulting in lower quantities and poor quality. These disorders usually necessitate a multifaceted treatment strategy, which includes lifestyle changes and drugs. (8)

 Understanding PCOS

National Cancer Institute defines  PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) as a condition characterized by infertility, enlarged ovaries, menstruation issues, elevated male hormone levels, abundant hair on the face and body, acne, and obesity. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome are more likely to develop diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. (1) It is one of the most prevalent endocrine and metabolic illnesses among premenopausal women. (2)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It usually begins in youth, but symptoms might vary with time. PCOS can cause hormonal abnormalities, irregular menstrual cycles, elevated androgen levels, and ovarian cysts. Irregular periods, usually due to a lack of ovulation, might make it difficult to conceive. It is the major cause of infertility. PCOS is a chronic disorder that cannot be healed. However, certain symptoms can be alleviated with lifestyle modifications, drugs, and fertility treatments. Women with a family history of type 2 diabetes are at a greater risk. (3)

Consequences of hormonal imbalance and its relation to PCOS

Speaking to the medical dialogues team, Dr. Nirmala Chandrashekar, Senior Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru, explained the consequences of hormonal imbalance and its relation to PCOS. She said, “Hormonal imbalance caused by PCOS, including irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, weight gain, acne, excess facial male pattern hair growth due to increasing the androgens (male hormones) and mood disturbances. In PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), the imbalance of hormones, particularly insulin and androgens, disrupts normal ovulation. This results in the formation of ovarian cysts, irregular periods, and challenges in conceiving. Addressing hormonal imbalance is crucial for managing PCOS and preventing long-term complications like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Weight reduction by diet, exercise and lifestyle modification play a key role in managing PCOS.

About Yam Cream

Yam (Dioscorea polystachya Turcz) is native to China, Korea, the Kuril Islands, and Taiwan. It has been introduced in the United States of America, Japan, and the Himalayas. Nutritionally, yam tubers include 65% starch, 9% protein, and 1.2% fiber. Yam is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat diarrhea, diabetes, and asthma. Antioxidants, polysaccharides, sapogenins (diosgenin), and dioscorin are the key pharmacologically active components. Diosgenin, in combination with polysaccharides, has been used to make a wound-healing cream and an agent to minimize skin inflammation (5).

Can PCOS be cured?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is no cure for PCOS, but treatments can help alleviate symptoms. Some PCOS symptoms can be alleviated with lifestyle adjustments. Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly will help lose weight and lower the chance of developing type 2 diabetes. Birth control medications (contraceptive pills) can help regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve symptoms. PCOS-related infertility can be treated with lifestyle modifications, medications, or surgery to encourage regular ovulation. (6)

Can applying Yam Cream Heal Hormone Imbalance naturally in 1 year?

Many women seek alternatives to hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms. Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa) extracts administered topically in the form of cream are among the  popular therapies right now. These preparations are known to contain steroidal saponins, including diosgenin, which has been linked to endogenous steroidogenesis. However, no studies have been conducted on the safety or efficacy of these medicines in the therapy of menopausal symptoms. (7)

Yams have a high polysaccharide ( a type of of carbohydrate) content, making them an functional food and medicinal source. In studies, They have been shown to reduce insulin resistance and obesity while also showing some anti-diabetic and antibacterial properties. These characteristics are linked to sapogenin content, which is employed as a source of diosgenin. Diosgenin, in conjunction with polysaccharides, has been utilized to generate a wound-healing cream and an agent to reduce skin inflammation. (5)

Wild yam is frequently touted as a natural source of DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) because it contains diosgenin, which can be synthesized in the lab to produce estrogen, although there is no scientific evidence that it can treat and cure hormonal imbalances.

It is important to note that Yam cream is not recognized or approved by major health regulatory bodies (like the FDA or EMA) as a treatment for hormone-related disorders. This lack of approval reflects the absence of rigorous testing and validation needed to confirm the product's safety and efficacy.

Can yam cream treat hormonal imbalance?

Speaking to medical dialogues team Dr Sowmya K N, Consultant - Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Kengeri, Bengaluru explained Yam, an edible tuber native to Africa, Asia, and America, is traditionally used to treat inflammation, fungal infections, and spasms, and as a natural alternative for hormonal supplements. However, there's no scientific evidence supporting these claims. Although wild yam contains diosgenin, once believed to stimulate hormone production, studies have disproved its ability to convert into estrogen or progesterone. Despite claims that yam boosts collagen production and alleviates menopause symptoms, these effects also lack scientific validation.

There is no scientific evidence to support the claim that applying yam cream restores hormone imbalances naturally in one year. PCOS can be managed with adequate food control, regular physical exercise, and the use of appropriate medications. Applications of such lotions should not replace expert medical counsel or treatment. Consult a gynaecologist for optimal care, rather than depending on unproven cures.

Medical Dialogue Final Take :

Hormonal imbalance affects the entire body, requires multi-faceted treatment approach that may include lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgery.  The lady in the video portrays application of Yam cream for at least one year will fix hormonal imbalance, but in reality no scientific evidence or medical consensus supports the claim that applying Yam Cream will restore hormonal imbalance naturally in 1 year. Hence, the claim that applying Yam Cream Restore Hormone Imbalance naturally in 1 year is FALSE. 

References:-

1. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/polycystic-ovary-syndrome

2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29569621/

3. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome

4. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/endocrine-diseases#:~:text=This%20system%20affects%20growth%20and,way%20it%20is%20supposed%20to.

5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308037/

6. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20cure%20for,be%20reduced%20through%20lifestyle%20changes

7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11428178/

8. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infertility#:~:text=Lifestyle%20factors%20such%20as%20smoking,quality%20(1%2C2)