Research

Ashwagandha for Menopause: Evidence, Interactions and Cautions

By Andreea · Last reviewed September 2026 · 2 min read

Ashwagandha is an ingredient used in menopause supplements marketed to women. Below is what it has actually been studied for, how strong that evidence is, the drug interactions and cautions on record, and the primary source our grade rests on — all drawn from the HerWellReport ingredient dataset.

HerWellReport Evidence Gradeearly

Studied forStress, anxiety and sleep in general adult populations; three small trials in peri- and postmenopausal women using menopause symptom scales

Used inMenopause supplements

Helps stress leaks?No

Helps hot flushes?Unclear

Also sold as: Withania somnifera; Indian ginseng; winter cherry; KSM-66; Sensoril

What the evidence says about Ashwagandha

The menopause evidence is three small randomised trials totalling roughly 280 women, all conducted in India, all using extract supplied or funded by the ingredient manufacturer, the longest running 24 weeks and none independently replicated. NCCIH states there is not enough evidence to determine whether ashwagandha helps menopause. The cortisol story used to sell it does not close: a 2025 meta-analysis found ashwagandha significantly lowered measured cortisol (-1.16 ug/dL, P<0.001) while producing no significant change in perceived stress (P=0.40), and no trial has shown that lowering cortisol improves menopausal symptoms. Ashwagandha is not named anywhere in the Menopause Society's 2023 nonhormone therapy position statement, so it was not assessed.

The grade "early" means: early — Pilot or preliminary human data only; not enough to rely on. Grades are explained in full on our methodology page.

Read the primary source this grade rests on (opens in a new tab).

Ashwagandha drug interactions

Sedatives
diabetes medicines
blood pressure medicines
immunosuppressants
thyroid medication including levothyroxine

Who should be careful with Ashwagandha

NIH LiverTox records around 23 published cases of clinically apparent liver injury since 2017, typically 2 to 12 weeks after starting, mostly cholestatic, with rare fatal cases or emergency transplant, and assigns a likelihood score of B
Denmark banned it in 2023 and the UK Food Standards Agency has an open safety assessment
measurably alters thyroid hormones, so avoid if you have a thyroid or autoimmune disorder or are about to have surgery
avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding
no long-term safety data beyond about three months

Products we have researched that contain Ashwagandha

MenoRescue — marketed for hot flushes, night sweats and broken sleep. 180-day money-back guarantee.

We have read the label and the research behind every ingredient. We have not tested the product and we publish no ratings. Full ingredient breakdown

Read our MenoRescue review →

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