Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Can Flaxseed Ease Prostate Symptoms?

Q. Has anyone investigated the use of flaxseed oil to ease symptoms of prostate enlargement?

When I was 35 I had a near fatal stroke caused by a neck injury. Although I recovered fairly well, I began to experience typical stroke related after effects such as weakness and fatigue. My primary care physician prescribed testosterone. A gradual side effect of this treatment was prostate enlargement and difficult urination.

A few years ago I began taking fish oil but ran out while I was on an extended business trip. The local store was out of fish oil but had flaxseed oil so I purchased it and began taking them.

About one week later while urinating it was like a dam broke and I was urinating as forceful a stream as I had before the hormone treatment. The effect wears off within a few days if I forget to take the flax oil but returns quickly when I resume.

A. We could find no research on flaxseed oil for prostate problems. We did, however, discover one study suggesting that flaxseed extract could ease the urinary symptoms of an enlarged prostate (Journal of Medicinal Food, Jun. 2008). The improvement on the flaxseed was comparable to that seen with prescription drugs.

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4.9- 7 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.