Ashwagandha PCOS: A deep look at natural supplementation for PCOS relief

In a nutshell

Ashwagandha is an evergreen shrub from India, Nepal, the Middle East, and Africa regions, which has been a part of traditional medicines in these areas since around 6,000 BC. Taken as a natural supplement, this plant is known for its positive effects on stress, sleep, immune system, inflammation, etc.

The main perks of taking ashwagandha for PCOS include:

• Improved hormonal balance
• More controlled menstrual cycle
• Better sexual function
• Improved blood sugar and insulin
• Reduced stress

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects the work of female ovaries and disrupts the natural hormonal balance, leading to multiple life-affecting symptoms. Luckily, though this syndrome isn't curable, there are many ways to manage its symptoms, and ashwagandha for PCOS might be one of the natural remedies to consider.
‍

Struggling to lose weight with PCOS? Take our quiz now to find a personalized solution just for you >>

‍

What is ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha has a number of other names it goes by, including Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, and winter cherry. It is an evergreen shrub that belongs to the Solanaceae or nightshade family and can be found in India, Nepal, and the Middle East, though some of its species might be found in certain parts of Africa.

The correct Latin name of this shrub - Withania Somnifera, translates as “sleep-inducing,” whereas a more popularized name - ashwagandha, translates as “horse” (ashva) and “smell” (gandha); this name was given to the plant due to a strong, horse-like odor of its root.

Centuries-long history of ashwagandha in medicine

Though ashwagandha may not be as broadly known in Western regions, the regions where it has been initially explored have been using it for medical purposes for centuries. Dating back to around 6,000 BC, this plant (its roots and leaves, in particular) has been a major part of traditional Indian medicine and Ayurveda. The Chinese medicine system has also long explored the medical potential of this shrub and used it as a herbal cure for multiple health conditions.

The primary active compounds found in ashwagandha extracts include:

• Withanone and Withaferin A in alcoholic extracts (i-Extract);
• Triethylene glycol in water extracts (WEX).

These compounds, known as withanolides, are some of the roughly 300 natural steroids built on an ergostane skeleton. They are found in some plants from the Nightshade family, including ashwagandha, and are known for their rich medical properties, such as the ability to repress angiogenesis, reduce oxidative stress, and eliminate inflammation. 

Thanks to these and other properties found in ashwagandha, it has been widely used for treating:

• Anxiety
• Stress
• Insomnia
• Arthritis
• Swelling
• High blood pressure
• Immune system problems

Ashwagandha PCOS: An overview of benefits

As an adaptogenic herb, ashwagandha has long found application in managing PCOS symptoms.

But is ashwagandha good for PCOS? Let’s consider some of the core benefits that might be there:

Improving hormonal levels

One of the core symptoms of PCOS is a hindered hormonal balance caused by the overproduction of androgens inside female ovaries. By increasing the level of male hormones and suppressing female hormones, this syndrome eventually gets in the way of healthy ovulation, menstrual cycle, and fertility.

Ashwagandha is shown to have the possibility to balance out hormone levels in females. The herb affects our endocrine system, reducing androgen levels. It’s also found to affect thyroid hormone production and help keep it in balance, hence, mitigating the possibility of developing a thyroid disorder, which is also common in women with PCOS.

Regulating menstrual cycle

Another point that makes ashwagandha PCOS a good remedy is its potential benefit for your menstrual cycle. By helping manage hormonal fluctuations and restoring the inner balance, the herb can actually help you regulate your cycle in a natural way.

A 2021 fertility and ashwagandha PCOS study by Food Science & Nutrition has found that this shrub directly affects core reproductive hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and gonadotropin hormones. When these hormones are regulated, women tend to have more controlled cycles and ovulations.

Restoring sexual function

Though it’s rarely mentioned among the core PCOS symptoms, sexual dysfunction is detected in 57.7% of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome, making it a real deal for women with this syndrome.

Sexual dysfunction can greatly affect the psychological aspects of one’s sexual life, such as desire and arousal, as well as its physical aspects, such as lubrication, which can lead to painful or traumatizing sex. Needless to say, this can greatly hinder quality of life but ashwagandha might help.

Studies found that this herb has aphrodisiac properties and is shown to have a positive effect on one’s sexual function. Its consumption might help increase libido, lubrication, and arousal, and even lead to stronger orgasms, which might be a significant benefit for women with PCOS.

Aiding with blood sugar and diabetes

Since PCOS frequently causes insulin resistance and subsequent diabetes, blood sugar, and weight challenges, this property of ashwagandha also contributes to the beneficial nature of this natural remedy.

Ashwagandha extracts have been shown to have antidiabetic potential. When taken regularly, this supplement can help lower blood sugar levels and decrease PCOS-induced insulin resistance.

It has also been found to have multiple weight loss benefits, including:

• Improved stamina
• Higher energy levels
• Higher calorie consumption during physical activities

That is, if you are diagnosed with PCOS and are currently on your weight loss journey, ashwagandha might be one of the best weight loss supplements to try.

Assisting stress management

Stress has an enormous negative impact on our lives, minds, and bodies. When its levels are high, stress hormones affect the pituitary gland and can disrupt your ovulation and overall fertility. It also affects weight, insulin resistance, menstrual cycle, and many other processes inside your body. Hence, for women with PCOS, excessive stress can significantly worsen the existing symptoms.

While meditations and mindfulness techniques can help somewhat manage stress, sometimes, you might need a solution that targets specifically the level of stress hormone cortisol in your body.

Ashwagandha has shown its efficacy in regulating the body’s stress response and suppressing cortisol, thus, mitigating anxiety and stress levels. In the long run, by helping you reduce stress, this supplement can also help you restore your cycle and get rid of many associated PCOS symptoms that are negatively impacted by cortisol.

Ashwagandha for PCOS: Possible side effects and special precautions

When you already are familiar with the primary benefits of ashwagandha, the next big question might be - is ashwagandha bad for PCOS?

Although it can bring many positive effects, ashwagandha is just like any other herbal supplement, meaning that there always might be some potential side effects to be aware of.

Among the most commonly reported issues are:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Digestive upset

Such digestive side effects are fairly common for natural herb supplements, especially when they are new to you. This might be due to a plant’s toxicity, individual allergic reactions, and even interactions with other medicines and substances. To prevent these issues, it is a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider and receive personalized advice on whether you should or shouldn’t take this supplement. Also, it might be helpful to find alternative means of consumption, such as mixing the supplement with food to minimize digestive discomfort.

While digestive side effects are the most prominent, there are also a few additional precautions to consider before taking ashwagandha:

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

There is a lack of explicit study findings to confirm the safety of ashwagandha for mothers and fetuses. When you’re pregnant it’s generally recommended to steer clear of not-100%-safe medications and supplements. The same goes for new mothers who are breastfeeding. For them, it might also be a good idea to postpone ashwagandha intake to stay on the safe side.

Auto-immune diseases

Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and others that have something to do with your immune system functioning might be a big reason not to take ashwagandha. This herb is known to increase the activity of one’s immune system, which can cause the worsening of some auto-immune disease symptoms.

Liver diseases

Although such cases are rare, ashwagandha might sometimes cause liver damage. In the most severe cases, the damage might be so big that it requires a need for liver transplantation. Hence, people with liver disease should steer clear of this supplement as well.

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with PCOS, you should know that this syndrome brings to the table a wealth of additional challenges that might cause distress and discomfort in daily life. Luckily, PCOS symptoms can be managed in multiple ways, including by taking natural supplements known to mitigate them.

As you now know, ashwagandha PCOS can be a powerful remedy to use. Thanks to its ability to regulate hormones and stress levels, and improve other functions of your body, it can offer a wealth of tangible benefits for women with PCOS. Yet, it’s important to remember to stay careful with any supplements and consult with a healthcare provider before taking them.