What effects does Ashwagandha have on women’s health?

Melanie Ramos 8 min. of reading Plants Leave a comment

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a plant traditionally used in Ayurveda that is currently being researched for its potential effects on the stress response, sleep, and overall well-being.

Although much of the available research has been conducted in the general adult population, some clinical trials have specifically investigated its effects in women, with interesting results in areas such as sexual function and certain symptoms associated with perimenopause.

Note: The evidence described below comes from specific clinical studies using particular extracts and doses and should not be interpreted as a guarantee of the effectiveness of any food supplement.

Benefits of Ashwagandha for women’s health

The root of Withania somnifera contains various bioactive compounds, most notably withanolides, a group of steroidal lactones characteristic of this plant.

Its effects have been studied mainly in relation to the body’s response to stress and other aspects associated with physical and mental well-being.

Perceived stress: what does the research show?

This is one of the areas in which Ashwagandha has been most extensively researched. Various clinical trials have evaluated Withania somnifera extracts in people experiencing stress, with certain studies observing improvements in perceived stress scores and reductions in cortisol levels.

Although these effects are not exclusive to women, they may be particularly relevant during periods characterised by high levels of physical or mental stress.

Female sexual function: what have studies shown?

One area that has been specifically investigated in women is sexual function. A pilot clinical trial conducted in women with sexual dysfunction evaluated supplementation with an Ashwagandha root extract over several weeks.

The results showed improvements in different parameters of female sexual function, including aspects related to arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction.

Ashwagandha during perimenopause

The transition to menopause may be accompanied by changes in the menstrual cycle, sleep disturbances, mood changes, and vasomotor symptoms such as hot flushes.

A randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in women during perimenopause found improvements in certain measures related to climacteric symptoms following supplementation with an Ashwagandha root extract.

Stress and emotional eating

Prolonged stress can influence our eating habits and may contribute to emotional eating patterns in some people.

In a trial conducted in adults with chronic stress, supplementation with Ashwagandha root extract was associated with improvements in perceived stress and certain variables related to food cravings and eating behaviour, as well as changes in cortisol concentrations.

Can Ashwagandha influence thyroid function?

The relationship between Ashwagandha and thyroid function deserves particular attention.

A clinical trial conducted in people with subclinical hypothyroidism observed changes in TSH, T3, and T4 concentrations after several weeks of supplementation with an Ashwagandha root extract.

However, these findings are preliminary and do not support considering Ashwagandha a treatment for hypothyroidism or other thyroid disorders.

Precisely because of its potential influence on thyroid hormones, people with thyroid disorders or those taking thyroid medication should consult a healthcare professional before using Ashwagandha supplements.

Impact of Ashwagandha according to women’s life stage

Life stage	Typical context of use	Traditional use of Ashwagandha*	Indicative dose**
Fertile years / athletes	Periods of greater physical and emotional demands, intensive training	Traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine as an adaptogen for perceived stress	300–600 mg/day (morning)
Perimenopause	Changes in sleep patterns and perceived mental clarity	Traditional use as an adaptogen for general well-being during periods of hormonal change	300–600 mg/day (divided into 2 doses)
Menopause	Stage involving hormonal changes and adaptation in overall well-being	Traditional use as an adaptogen to support well-being during this life stage	300–600 mg/day (afternoon/evening)

*The information in this table is based on traditional use and should not be interpreted as a therapeutic indication.

**Indicative dose provided for informational purposes only. Always check the product label and do not exceed the recommended daily dose stated on the packaging.

Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or have a medical condition, consult your doctor before use.

How much Ashwagandha should you take?

There is no universal dose that applies to every Ashwagandha supplement.

The appropriate amount depends on factors such as the part of the plant used, the type and extraction ratio, standardisation in withanolides, and the specific formulation of the product.

Clinical trials have used different amounts depending on the extract investigated, meaning that the milligram amounts used with one specific raw material should not be directly extrapolated to another.

For this reason, you should always follow the recommended daily amount specified for each food supplement.

How to choose the best Ashwagandha for you

Regardless of your intended use, it is important to select extracts that specify their withanolide percentage and use exclusively the root of the plant (avoiding the leaves, which have lower functional value) to help ensure the quality and safety of the supplement.

In the HSN online store, you can find formulations developed according to GMP and IFS Food manufacturing standards:

Ashwagandha Extract (KSM-66®) by EssentialSeries: Vegetable capsules containing the internationally recognised branded raw material, with 5% full-spectrum withanolides and no chemical solvents.
Ashwagandha Powder by EssentialSeries: 100% pure root in RAW format with no additives, ideal for customising your own doses or adding to sports nutrition shakes.

Does Ashwagandha have contraindications for women?

Ashwagandha is generally well tolerated by healthy adults when used in the recommended amounts. However, there are certain situations in which it should be avoided or used with particular caution.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Ashwagandha should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to insufficient data to establish its safety.
Thyroid disorders: due to its potential influence on thyroid hormones, people with thyroid conditions or those taking thyroid medication should consult a healthcare professional before use.
Autoimmune diseases: due to its potential effects on the immune system, caution is recommended for people with autoimmune diseases or those taking immunosuppressive medication.
Interactions with medication: Ashwagandha may interact with certain medications, including some sedatives, immunosuppressants, thyroid treatments, and other medicines.
Digestive tolerance: in some people, it may cause gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea, diarrhoea, or stomach upset.
Liver health: rare cases of liver injury have been reported in association with the consumption of supplements containing Ashwagandha. People with liver disease should consult a healthcare professional before using it and discontinue use if signs suggestive of liver dysfunction occur.

References

Dongre S, Langade D, Bhattacharyya S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. Biomed Res Int. 2015;2015:284154. doi: 10.1155/2015/284154. PMID: 26504795; PMCID: PMC4609357.
Chandrasekhar K, Kapoor J, Anishetty S. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of Ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian J Psychol Med. 2012;34(3):255-262. doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022. PMID: 23439798; PMCID: PMC3573577.
Gopal S, Ajgaonkar A, Kanchi P, Kaundinya A, Thakare V, Chauhan S, Langade D. Effect of an Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract on climacteric symptoms in women during perimenopause: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021;47(12):4414-4425. doi: 10.1111/jog.15030. PMID: 34553463.
Sharma AK, Basu I, Singh S. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Altern Complement Med. 2018;24(3):243-248. doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0183. PMID: 28829155.
Langade D, Kanchi S, Salve J, Debnath K, Ambegaokar D. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study. Cureus. 2019;11(9):e5797. doi: 10.7759/cureus.5797. PMID: 31728244; PMCID: PMC6827862.
Pérez-Gómez J, Villafaina S, Adsuar JC, Merellano-Navarro E, Collado-Mateo D. Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on VO2max: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1119. doi: 10.3390/nu12041119. PMID: 32316411; PMCID: PMC7230697.

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