Supplement
Pumpkin seed extract comes from the seeds of the pumpkin plant and is thought to work by slowing 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that turns testosterone into a stronger hormone. The strongest findings involve enlarged prostate, where pooled trials found modest gains in urinary symptoms and flow, smaller than with finasteride, and the evidence is moderate. Hair growth and overactive bladder findings rest on very few studies, so that evidence is limited.
- Updated
- How we grade
- Best evidence
- Grade B
- Conditions studied
- 0
- Outcomes
- 3
- Graded outcomes
- 0120
Evidence by condition
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
General
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPH Symptom Improvement Meta-analyses of multiple RCTs support modest improvement in IPSS (International Prostate Symptom Score) and urinary flow in men with BPH. Effect size is smaller than finasteride but with fewer side effects; often studied in combination with saw palmetto. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 600 people | |||
| Hair Growth A single 24-week RCT found that 400mg/day pumpkin seed oil increased hair count by approximately 40% compared to placebo, attributed to 5-alpha reductase inhibition. Promising but requires replication. | Improves (the measure goes up) | Moderate effect | 76 people | |||
| Overactive Bladder Symptom Improvement Limited human studies suggest pumpkin seed extract may reduce overactive bladder symptoms, particularly in women. Proposed mechanism involves smooth muscle relaxation in the bladder wall. | Changes; see studies | Small effect |
Key findings
- BPH Symptom ImprovementImproves (the measure goes up)
- Hair GrowthImproves (the measure goes up)
- Overactive Bladder Symptom ImprovementChanges; see studies
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Third-party tested Pumpkin Seed Extract products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.
- Grade B
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