Shatavari May Reduce Perimenopause Symptoms

A 2025 study in the International Journal of Women's Health looked at whether Shatavari, a traditional Ayurvedic herb, can safely help women manage symptoms of perimenopause. Perimenopause is the transition period before menopause when hormone levels begin to shift, often causing issues like hot flashes, mood changes, sleep problems and stress. For women that prefer to avoid hormone-based treatments, plant-based options like Shatavari are of interest.

Researchers enrolled 80 women with perimenopausal symptoms. Half received a daily 300 mg capsule of Shatavari root extract for eight weeks, and the other half received a placebo. Neither the participants nor the researchers knew who was receiving which treatment during the study. This is called a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, a design used to reduce bias.

To track changes, the study used several questionnaires. Blood tests also checked hormone levels and overall safety.

Women taking Shatavari showed significantly greater improvement than the placebo group in several areas. They had fewer physical symptoms (including hot flashes), better mood, lower stress, less fatigue and an increase in feelings of energy. Their hormone levels—specifically estradiol, FSH and T3—also rose slightly. Importantly, there were no signs of harm to the liver or kidneys.

The authors suggest that Shatavari may be a safe and effective natural option for easing perimenopausal symptoms.