Ashwagandha for PCOS: Benefits, Uses, and What It Means for You

Updated 6/28/24

Are you interested in natural options to help manage troublesome PCOS symptoms?

Let's explore the adaptogen Ashwagandha for hormone balance and its potential benefits for women. We'll break down the research on Ashwagandha for PCOS, who it might help, and how it works.

What is Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha is an evergreen perennial shrub known by many names, including Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, and winter cherry. It grows prevalently in India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. A reputed name in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Ashwagandha is sold as a dietary supplement and is believed to help manage various health conditions.

The dried root and the plant's orange fruit have been used historically to ward off stress, fatigue, and anxiety. Recently, Ashwagandha has been studied for its potential to manage conditions such as cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes, arthritis, and epilepsy. While research is still in its very early stages, the results are promising.

How does Ashwagandha work?

In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is categorized as Rasayana, meaning it promotes longevity both physically and mentally. But how does it work?

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress and restore balance and normal cell functioning. Researchers believe Ashwagandha exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation is the root cause of many diseases, and by reducing inflammation, Ashwagandha has the potential to help protect DNA from damage, promoting overall health.

The healing attributes of Ashwagandha are due to phytochemicals called withanolides. There are about forty different withanolides that may help combat various disease processes.

How does Ashwagandha help manage PCOS?

PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that affects many aspects of a woman's body, including infertility, weight gain, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, irregular periods, acne, and hirsutism.

Metabolic syndrome is particularly troublesome as it raises blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Women with PCOS are more prone to high blood pressure, stress, anxiety, and depression. If left unchecked, this condition can increase the risk of endometrial cancer over time.

Ashwagandha may help address several issues associated with PCOS:

Thyroid Support

Many women with PCOS also have low thyroid function. It is often called a co-existing condition. A 2013 study found that about 22.5% of women with PCOS had hypothyroidism compared to 8.75% in controls.

When your thyroid isn't working well, it can lead to higher levels of testosterone in your body. This happens because there's less of a protein called sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) that usually binds to testosterone and keeps its levels balanced.

In PCOS, there are often imbalances in other hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which can increase thyroid antibodies. These antibodies are proteins that can harm the thyroid gland and make thyroid problems worse.

Studies have shown that Ashwagandha can increase testosterone levels in men, and while the effect on women, especially those with PCOS, isn't fully understood or studied, it might also raise testosterone levels. Specific research directly measuring its impact on testosterone levels in women is currently lacking.

For women with PCOS who already have high testosterone levels, taking Ashwagandha could potentially worsen symptoms like unwanted hair growth, hair loss, acne, and irregular menstrual cycles. Please be cautious, this may not be the right remedy for you and there are other supplements you can try.

So how can Ashwagandha help such cases of PCOS?

Health experts recommend not taking Ashwagandha if you have Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. However, if your thyroid issues are due to other reasons, Ashwagandha might help relieve symptoms such as stress, anxiety, weight gain, depression, and insulin resistance commonly associated with PCOS.

A placebo-control study was conducted for 8 weeks in 50 people with hypothyroidism. The results showed that taking 600 mg of Ashwagandha root extract daily resulted in noticeable improvements in thyroid levels compared to taking a placebo.

Learn how to manage your PCOS on your own terms! All the resources you need to kick PCOS’ ass in one guide!!

Stress and Anxiety

Ashwagandha has been used traditionally to reduce stress and anxiety. Modern research supports this, showing that Ashwagandha can help regulate the brain's chemical signaling pathways and block stress signals.

In a 6-week placebo-controlled study, people taking Ashwagandha reported less stress. Another study with 60 participants found that 69% of those taking Ashwagandha had less anxiety and insomnia compared to the placebo group.

Ashwagandha may also reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol. A 2019 study found that taking 240 mg of Ashwagandha daily significantly lowered people's stress levels and reduced cortisol in the blood compared to a placebo.

Reduce Blood Sugars                                              

Ashwagandha can help balance blood sugar levels, which is particularly helpful for managing metabolic syndrome in PCOS. It improves insulin sensitivity and helps muscle cells absorb glucose.

Studies in animals have shown that Ashwagandha can lower blood sugar levels effectively, sometimes as well as standard diabetic medications. This is especially beneficial for women with PCOS who often struggle with high blood sugar and insulin resistance.

Reduce Inflammation

Many women with PCOS have chronic inflammation. Ashwagandha can help by enhancing the activity of natural killer T-cells that fight inflammation. It also reduces levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP).

In a controlled study, participants taking 250 mg of standardized Ashwagandha extract daily had a 36% decrease in CRP levels, compared to a 6% decrease in the placebo group.

Lowers Cholesterol

Ashwagandha has been found to reduce cholesterol levels significantly. In animal studies, it lowered total cholesterol by 53% and triglycerides by 45%. Another study in healthy volunteers showed that Ashwagandha reduced total triglycerides and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

This is important for women with PCOS, who often have higher cholesterol levels and higher LDL cholesterol numbers.

Who Should Avoid Ashwagandha?

While Ashwagandha has many benefits, it's not suitable or safe for everyone. These groups should avoid this herbal supplement:

• Pregnant women and nursing mothers

• Patients suffering from Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism

• Individuals suffering from hyperthyroidism

• Patients with some autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and type 1 diabetes

Patients taking thyroid medications or medicines for blood pressure should take the supplement cautiously and only after consulting with their physician.

Ashwagandha Dosage and Usage: Recommendations for PCOS

The FDA does not regulate the dosage of herbal supplements, so it’s important to consult your doctor. Generally, 450–500 mg of Ashwagandha root extract capsules are taken once or twice daily, but clinical trials have not tagged any specific dosage for the supplement. For stress relief, the recommended dose is 250-600 mg per day.

Some herbalists suggest using cycling to maximize the benefits of Ashwagandha. One source that discusses cycling supplements that impact adaptogens, including Ashwagandha, is the book "Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief" by David Winston and Steven Maimes. In this book, the authors recommend periodic breaks when using adaptogenic herbs to maintain their effectiveness and reduce the risk of side effects.

Ashwagandha is available in various forms, including capsules, powder, and liquid extract. The extract is more effective than raw root or leaf powder. Always talk to your physician before starting any new supplement for PCOS.

Ashwagandha Side Effects

For women, potential side effects of Ashwagandha may include:

1. Gastrointestinal Issues: Such as nausea, diarrhea, or upset stomach.

2. Allergic Reactions: Although rare, some individuals may experience allergic reactions.

3. Interactions with Medications: Ashwagandha can interact with medications such as thyroid hormones or medications used for autoimmune disorders.

It's important to note that specific side effects can vary depending on individual health conditions and the dosage used. For detailed medical advice, consulting with a healthcare provider is recommended.

Summing up Ashwagandha and PCOS

There are many studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of Ashwagandha for hormone balance. While Ashwagandha isn’t for everyone, it may help with PCOS symptoms like low functioning thyroid, insulin resistance, inflammation, stress and anxiety, and cholesterol. However, women with elevated testosterone levels should exercise caution and consult their healthcare provider before using Ashwagandha to avoid potentially worsening their symptoms.

The items listed above are accompanied by affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if a purchase is made through my links. This has no impact on the cost to the consumer. I link to products this way whenever possible, and it has no bearing on the products I choose to review or recommend.

Pin it for Later>>>