Ashwagandha is a popular herb several people use to support brain health, including stress relief. It’s been used for years in a certain medicine type known as Ayurveda.
But some women have doubts on whether it can affect their periods. This is an important question as a lot of women are starting to use this plant for its health benefits.
In this article, we’ll discuss the current findings, and what medical experts think about this. We will as well try to figure out whether this supplement can cause any changes in a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Can ashwagandha affect menstrual cycle?
Absolutely, ashwagandha can indeed have an effect on your menstrual cycle. This plant can help with issues and conditions that may mess up your cycles; such as stress, inflammation (which means swelling and redness) and changes in your hormones.
It can also check your body’s response to stress and reduce inflammation, both of which can help keep your menstrual cycles regular.
In fact, it has even been found to help with issues like PCOS, which affect a lot of women’s periods. So yes, it could really be a natural way to help your body keep a regular menstrual cycle.
Potential Effects of Ashwagandha on womens’ Menstrual Cycle
1. Makes Dealing with Stress Easier
Ashwagandha is a ‘stress-buster’. If there’s too much stress, it can mess up your period or make conditions like PMS worse. But it helps your body handle stress better, which could lead to less period problems.
2. Keeps Your Hormones In Check
It can also help keep your hormones balanced. If your hormones are not balanced, it can make your periods irregular.
3. Fights Redness and Swelling
Sometimes, when there’s a lot of swelling (or inflammation) in your body, it can affect your periods. But Ashwagandha fights this inflammation, which can help keep your periods regular.
4. Makes Getting Pregnant Easier
By helping keep your periods regular, this supplement can make it easier for you to get pregnant if you’re trying.
So, this plant might help a lot with your periods, but it’s always important to remember to ask a doctor or a health expert before you start using it or any other new medicine.
Safe tips for using ashwaganda for periods
- Dosage & Duration: Make sure you’re taking the right amount and not for too long. This helps to avoid any side effects or interactions with other medicines. Again, be sure to start with a low dose and observe how your body responds. This allows you to gauge your sensitivity to the herb and minimize the risk of potential side effects.
- Watch Out For Changes: If you start to feel headaches, dizzy, if you’re having a bad reaction or notice gastrointestinal issues, stop taking it and talk to your doctor.
- Monitor Your Menstrual Cycle: Keep track of your cycle before and during while using. If you notice any changes, whether positive or negative, it’s important to discuss them with your healthcare provider.
- Choose a Reputable Source: Ensure that you are using a high-quality ashwagandha supplement from a reputable source. Quality and purity can vary among products, so it’s essential to choose a reliable brand
- Consider Other Medications: Remember that Ashwagandha can mix up with some medicines like those for sleep, thyroid hormone, and those that make your immune system weaker.
- Avoid During Pregnancy: Pregnant women should generally avoid ashwagandha, as its effects are not well understood.
- Ask Your Doctor: Before starting to use Ashwagandha for periods, it’s best to talk to your doctor, especially if you are taking some other medicines.
Can you take ashawaganda for extended period?
Yes, you can take Ashwagandha for an extended period. You can go ahead and have it daily so far as you’re heeding to the recommended dosage.
However, it’s good to talk it out with your doctor before considering as a regimen, especially if you’re currently on another medication, or have any health issues.
There is limited evidence supporting its long-term use. However, It’s always a smart idea to take breaks, and not use it constantly over long periods.
Always monitor how your body responds to it and if you notice any side effects, discontinue use and gist your doctor.
Can ashwangha cause heavy periods?
We know that it can help manage stress, deal with issues like inflammation, reduced immunity, anxiety, irregular periods, and problems with hormones.
It might have a positive effect on the timing of your menstrual cycle and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms. But there is no specific information stating that Ashwagandha could cause heavy periods.
Still, everyone’s body might react differently supplements including this. Thus, If you see any changes, like heavy periods after you start taking it, go ahead and speak to your healthcare professional about it.
FAQs – Can Ashwagandha Affect Menstrual Cycle?
Ashwagandha is not known to directly stimulate ovulation. However, it may potentially regulate hormones and reduce stress levels, which can positively impact overall fertility and menstrual cycle regularity.
Spotting is not commonly reported as a side effect of Ashwagandha. However, as Ashwagandha can influence hormone levels, changes in menstruation might occur in some individuals.
Common side effects of this herb in females include sleepiness, headache, upset stomach, and rash. Though rare, hormonal changes including shifts in menstrual cycle may also occur.
Always discuss with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Ashwagandha is recognized for its adaptogenic properties, which means it helps the body respond to stress. Importantly, stress can significantly impact hormone balance. By reducing stress, it may help balance hormone levels.
Some studies suggest that Ashwagandha may improve fertility by reducing stress, balancing hormone levels, and improving overall reproductive health.
However, more research is needed, and individuals should consult with a healthcare provider.
Ashwagandha might indirectly aid in weight loss by reducing stress and cortisol levels, both of which can contribute to weight gain.
Nonetheless, one should also incorporate a balanced diet and regular exercise to see substantial weight loss results. No supplement can replace these fundamental factors for weight control.
Conclusion
In simple terms, ashwagandha is a type of herbal medicine that can help with things like stress, inflammation, and problems with your hormones. These issues can impact your period.
Research says that ashwagandha can affect menstrual cycle, making them more regular and balanced. But it’s good to know that everyone’s body can react differently to it.
For some women, it may produce noticeable benefits, while others may experience side effects, or might not work well with other medicines they’re simultaneously taking.
So, if you have plans of taking it, then it’s best to chat your doctor first. They can help you decide whether to on or stop based on your health needs.
References:
National Institutes Of Health (Effect of an ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) root extract on climacteric symptoms in women during perimenopause: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study)
