The Benefits of Ashwagandha for Menopausal Women
Menopause is a natural phase of life, but for many Black women, it comes with real challenges that too often go ignored. Hot flashes, mood swings, disrupted sleep, and hormonal shifts can make menopause feel like a lot.
And while hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an option, many are looking for natural ways to manage their symptoms.
Ashwagandha is an ancient herb getting attention for its potential to ease menopause symptoms!
What Is Ashwagandha?
Ashwagandha, also known as “winter cherry,” is a plant long used in Ayurvedic medicine to help the body adapt to stress. It belongs to the nightshade family and is often referred to as an adaptogen, meaning it may help the body respond better to both physical and emotional stressors.
Research shows that ashwagandha helps calm the nervous system, making it potentially useful for treating hot flashes, anxiety, and insomnia during menopause.
How Menopause Affects Black Women Differently
When most people think about menopause, they expect hot flashes, mood swings, or weight gain. But for many Black women, the menopausal experience is more intense, longer-lasting, and less supported by the healthcare system.
A major study called the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN) found that:
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Black women reach menopause earlier by about 8.5 months on average
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Perimenopause may start as early as the late 30s, bringing symptoms like anxiety, night sweats, and irregular periods
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Black women often report more frequent and severe hot flashes, higher rates of sleep disturbances, and more mood-related symptoms
Chronic stress linked to systemic racism, income disparities, and medical bias is a major contributor. This aligns with the “weathering hypothesis,” which proposes that the cumulative impact of stress accelerates biological aging in Black women, including hormonal shifts (NPR).
Ashwagandha Benefits for Menopause Symptoms
While research is still limited, one 2021 double-blind, placebo-controlled study by the National Library of Medicine showed promising results: women who took 300 mg of ashwagandha twice daily for 8 weeks saw a significant reduction in:
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Hot flashes
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Urinary symptoms
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Menopause-related quality of life issues
They also experienced changes in hormone levels, including increases in estradiol, FSH, and luteinizing hormone—key players in menopausal transition (Medical News Today).
1. Reduces Hot Flashes & Night Sweats
Ashwagandha’s calming effect on the nervous system may help regulate temperature control centers in the brain. By increasing GABA activity, it may reduce the frequency and intensity of hot flashes—one of the most disruptive symptoms of menopause.
2. Improves Sleep Quality
Insomnia is common in menopause due to declining estrogen and melatonin. Ashwagandha may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by lowering cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Better sleep = better mood, better focus, and better resilience.
3. Supports Mood and Mental Health
Many women experience anxiety, depression, or irritability during menopause due to hormonal shifts. Ashwagandha’s adaptogenic properties may help regulate stress response and balance neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which influence mood and emotional stability.
4. Helps with Vaginal and Urinary Symptoms
Estrogen loss during menopause can cause vaginal dryness, urinary urgency, and infections. While research is early, the 2021 study found improvements in urinary symptoms, suggesting potential benefits for pelvic comfort and function.
BGV Calm Girl Ashwagandha
Calm Girl is fortified with Zinc and Vitamin D3 to give Black women both stress relief and a boost of nutrients that they are commonly deficient in!
It is also Non-GMO, vegan, and halal to fit a variety of dietary needs within the community.
As always, consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially one that may impact hormone levels. But if you’re ready to approach menopause with power, peace, and plant-based support, Calm Girl might just belong in your wellness routine.
FAQ
Q: What does ashwagandha do for Black women?
Ashwagandha helps support hormone balance, reduce stress, improve sleep, and boost mood areas where many Black women experience chronic challenges due to unique stressors and health disparities. It works by regulating cortisol and supporting the endocrine system, which plays a key role in managing emotional, mental, and physical health.
Q: Is Calm Girl safe for daily use?
Yes! Calm Girl is formulated with clean, high-quality ingredients like: Ashwagandha, Vitamin D3, and Zinc — and is safe for daily use when taken as directed. As always, we recommend speaking with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you have existing conditions or take medications.
Q: What makes Calm Girl different from other supplements?
Unlike generic ashwagandha products, Calm Girl was created specifically with Black women in mind. In addition to clinically studied ashwagandha root extract, it includes Vitamin D3 and Zinc, two nutrients Black women are often deficient in to support stress resilience, immune health, and hormone balance.
Sources
Black Women and Menopause: Why the Experience Is Different | Midi
Ashwagandha for menopause: Does it help? | Medical News Today