--- title: Can the herb ashwagandha help with PMS symptoms? | Niyora description: It might help with things like fatigue, anxiety and stress, but this is just a review of existing evidence, not a new study, and most of the evidence is from url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/withania-somnifera-in-women-s-hormonal-modulation-a-narrative-review-with-2026/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can the herb ashwagandha help with PMS symptoms? Randomised trial, 2026 # Can the herb ashwagandha help with PMS symptoms? It might help with things like fatigue, anxiety and stress, but this is just a review of existing evidence, not a new study, and most of the evidence is from lab or animal research rather than women with PMS. Early or limited evidence Not a study of real patients; a review of existing research on women's hormonal health, including PCOS and PMS. ## What they did This is a narrative review (a round-up of existing research, not a new experiment) looking at what is already known about Withania somnifera, also called ashwagandha, and its effects on women's hormones. The authors focused on its possible use for PCOS and PMS. ## What they found The review suggests ashwagandha may work by calming the body's stress system (the HPA axis) and lowering cortisol, and by affecting GABA signaling in the brain. This could, in theory, help lower fatigue, anxiety and stress reactivity in PMS, and there may be some pain-relieving effect too. The authors note this is based mostly on preclinical (lab/animal) studies and on evidence borrowed from other populations, not dedicated PMS trials. ## What it means for you Ashwagandha looks like an interesting candidate worth studying for PMS, but there is no solid human trial evidence yet specifically for PMS. The authors themselves say large, well-designed clinical trials are still needed before anyone can say it definitely works or is safe. ## About the study Original title Withania somnifera in Women's Hormonal Modulation: A Narrative Review With Implications for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome Authors Namysł M, Matczak S, Dachowska S et al. Journal Cureus Year 2026 Study design Randomised trial What was tested Withania somnifera (ashwagandha), reviewed as a possible supportive treatment. Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.7759/cureus.101431](https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.101431) Original abstract Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are among the most common hormonal diseases affecting women worldwide. Although multiple conventional treatments exist, they are often insufficient or poorly tolerated by the patients. Withania somnifera (WS) (ashwagandha) could provide a synergistic or alternative method of symptom management due to its endocrine, neuropsychiatric, and anti-inflammatory properties. Aim of the study: This narrative review aims to evaluate the current evidence regarding the usefulness of Withania somnifera in aiding women's hormonal balance, with a particular focus on its potential applications in PCOS and PMS. Results: The current state of knowledge indicates that by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axes, normalization of gonadotropins and estradiol levels is potentially achievable with Withania somnifera . This, along with a well-documented lowering effect on cortisol, improvements in metabolic markers, and the restoration of ovarian function in preclinical PCOS models, shows therapeutic potential. Crucially, ashwagandha's impact on androgen levels appears sex-specific, as it does not seem to elevate testosterone in women, unlike in male study groups. In PMS, ashwagandha's neuropsychiatric properties, most likely associated with GABAergic signaling and HPA modulation, may be beneficial in lowering fatigue, anxiety, and stress reactivity. Some studies also indicate possible analgesic activity of Withania somnifera . Conclusions: Ashwagandha rises as a strong candidate for supportive treatment for managing the symptoms of PCOS and PMS by means of combined hormonal, metabolic, and neuropsychiatric effects. However, as current evidence relies heavily on preclinical models and extrapolation from other populations, further large-scale, randomized clinical trials using standardized extracts are necessary to establish definitive therapeutic protocols and confirm its clinical efficacy and safety. Reproduced under CC-BY. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Stress](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-stress/)[Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-pcos/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Randomised trial, 2025 Can soy isoflavone supplements help with PMS and PMDD symptoms? Survey study, 2021 Are premenstrual symptoms linked to stress and poor quality of life in female students? Survey study, 2005 What factors are associated with having a hysterectomy in women veterans? Randomised trial, 2026 Does mindfulness training reduce PMS symptoms and fear about childbirth? Systematic review, 2025 Is there a link between stress, trauma, and premenstrual symptoms? Randomised trial, 2025 Does caloric restriction and aerobic exercise improve PMS symptoms in obese women? Ask AI about this page Copy prompt ChatGPT ↗ Claude ↗ Perplexity ↗ Google AI Mode ↗ Grok ↗