[Nadi]

Hi,

I take milk thistle to protect my liver and I have the impression that I feel an anti-androgenic effect every time I take it. Such as a softening and temporary shrinking of the penis. Now I have asked the AI and got the following answers:

"The anti-androgenic effect of milk thistle can be explained by several mechanisms:

Inhibition of androgen synthesis
Studies suggest that components of milk thistle can reduce the production of androgens:

• Silymarin, the main active ingredient in milk thistle, inhibits enzymes such as 5α-reductase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. These enzymes are involved in the synthesis of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT)1.
  
• By inhibiting these enzymes, less testosterone is converted into the more potent DHT, which leads to a reduction in androgen activity
  

Blockade of androgen receptors
Components of milk thistle can also interact directly with androgen receptors:

• Studies show that silymarin can block the binding of androgens to their receptors.
  
• This prevents androgens from exerting their effect in the target tissues."
  

Has this been discussed here before and have you had similar experiences?