- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns. She is director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
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Question
Natural breast enhancement: Does it work?
Do natural breast enhancement supplements work?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
There is no evidence that natural breast enhancement supplements lead to breast enlargement. Some herbs have been used historically to improve the production of mother's milk, such as fenugreek and fennel, or as treatments for breast disorders, such as wild yam, red clover, black cohosh. But none of these supplements will make your breasts larger.
Recently, many manufacturers have been promoting various combinations of these herbs as natural breast enhancers, often claiming to dramatically increase breast size. Some of these herbs are phytoestrogens, meaning they cause effects that are similar to those that estrogen produces in your body, such as breast growth. While it might seem plausible that phytoestrogens could increase your breast size, no published studies have shown that natural breast enhancement supplements achieve this result.
Furthermore, supplements like this may also be harmful to your health. The phytoestrogens in natural breast enhancing supplements could increase your risk of some types of breast and gynecologic cancers. You may also have a serious drug interaction, especially if you take a blood-thinning medication such as warfarin. Unless better evidence becomes available assessing the risks and benefits of such supplements, it's best to pass on these products.
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