“If you just turned 40, you might think that you’re nowhere near menopause.
But the truth is, perimenopause often begins 8 to 10 years before menopause.
So your body is likely already transitioning,” states Vivian Parker, an MD in endocrinology and expert in hormonal disorders.
“Hot flashes, sleepless nights, constant fatigue, mood swings, and libido changes are just some of the symptoms of hormone imbalance.
And, of course, what frustrates women the most is uncontrollable weight gain,” says Vivian Parker.
She acknowledges that, although she is not an herbalist, numerous studies have proven the healing power of natural remedies.
“You don’t always have to challenge your body with aggressive solutions like HRT.
Many women I’ve consulted were unaware that the risks of HRT can often outweigh the benefits. 1
Including increased risk for coronary heart diseases,2 stroke,3 venous thromboembolism,4 and even breast cancer. 5
If you’re in search of a natural and safe method to manage your hormonal imbalance, I might have a recommendation for you.
It works well for anyone but is particularly effective for women over 40.
The benefits are nearly endless. Let’s talk about it all,” she smiles.
The herb that our hormone expert is referring to is called Withania somnifera, more commonly known as Indian Ginseng or Ashwagandha.
“Ashwagandha has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, dating back thousands of years,” begins Vivian.
“Known for its adaptogenic properties, Ashwagandha helps the body resist stress, inflammation, and the effects of aging.
This herb is rich in over 50 bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, flavonoids, and withanolides, that help improve immunity and overall well-being. 6
According to Parker, Ashwagandha has been used for a wide range of purposes, from boosting energy and stamina to enhancing cognitive function and promoting longevity.
“It was even once used as an aphrodisiac,” Parker smiles. 7
In recent years, however, it has gained popularity as a way to support women’s health, particularly during the menopausal transition.
“Well, first of all, Ashwagandha can positively impact blood estrogen levels,” Parker states.
“Healthy estrogen levels mean less mood swings, better sleep, and easier weight management.
See, we often fail to notice that our hormones are actually changing.
But for some women, it can start as early as 40,” she explains.
In this section, Vivian Parker, an MD in endocrinology and expert in hormonal disorders, explains what symptoms to look for after turning 40.
According to her, these can be signs that your hormonal patterns are changing.
“We’ve been taught to accept this as a natural consequence of aging.
The truth is, the scales tipping in the wrong direction is a sign that something is out of balance,” she explains.
According to her, it’s a clear indication that our bodies are experiencing too much stress.
“Ashwagandha can help by regulating cortisol, which may reduce stress-related weight gain,” she explains.
“Furthermore, its adaptogenic properties support thyroid function. 6
And we know how quickly our thyroid can affect our weight.
I will always advise to keep an eye on what your scales are telling you,” Parker concludes.
“If you find yourself constantly irritated, anxious, or unable to relax…
It could be a sign that your hormones are going wild.
This also applies if you suddenly started having sleep issues.”
Parker notes that lower estrogen levels can affect serotonin and dopamine production, which are crucial for mood and sleep. 8
“With Ashwagandha, you should feel way less tension and anxiety.
Trust me, if anyone tells you you’re ‘acting crazy’…
They have no idea what a rollercoaster ride this is.
I’ve experienced a change myself,” Parker smiles.
“Shortly after my 42nd birthday, my husband became the most irritating person in the world!
But he hadn’t changed…
I did.
So listen to your body and pay attention…
If you can’t relax, you need support. Ashwagandha can provide that,” Parker concludes.
According to Parker, women in their 40s may start experiencing feelings of isolation, loneliness, irritation, and withdrawal.
“We feel disconnected from others and don’t want physical affection.
Our sex drives plummet, family starts driving us mad, and we’re burnt out from social interactions,” she highlights.
“As we’ve discussed, Ashwagandha supports healthy hormone levels.
From ‘happy hormones’ to stress hormones, it all affects how we perceive being touched.
Specifically for cortisol, I will always recommend Ashwagandha which is fortified with Isoflavones.
That’s because Isoflavones have been shown to inhibit cortisol production. 9
When you have less cortisol in your system, it’s much easier to reconnect with yourself and your partner,” Parker concludes.
“I’ve seen this in action with many of my clients. It doesn’t hurt to try.
It’s better to start supplementing sooner rather than later.”
“There’s a specific type called KSM-66 Ashwagandha that I always recommend,” Parker advises.
Often, the Ashwagandha you find in retail stores is advertised as ‘full-spectrum’.
It is extracted from the leaves and the roots of the plant.
While it sounds good in theory, this extraction method actually makes most regular Ashwaganda supplements less potent.
KSM-66 Ashwagandha is derived specifically from the root of the plant.
This way, the potency of the root is not ‘diluted’ with leaf extracts.
“Just make sure to look for supplements that specifically mention KSM-66 Ashwagandha,” Parker highlights.
“Although it may be more expensive than the ‘mixed’ types, it’s worth it.
Otherwise, why spend money on something that just won’t work?”
“Most brands provide KSM-66 Ashwagandha in doses less than 600 mg,” Parker explains.
This often leads to subpar effectiveness…
And when women don’t feel Ashwagandha working, they waste money on additional supplements.
Instead of trying to stomach multiple different capsules, look for a one-stop solution.”
There is one I turn to, and it’s called Her Bodhi.
The base of this supplement is KSM-66 Ashwagandha in the optimum dosage, the importance of which we already discussed.
However, what I love about it is that it adds other natural extracts like Red Clover and Soy Isoflavones to further enhance the effectiveness of Ashwagandha.
I stand behind it because it’s a women-led project with a very precise formulation.
It uses only the highest quality ingredients and follows stringent extraction methods.
I suggest this supplement to women who feel impacted by moodiness, weight gain, and loss of intimacy, and the results have been very encouraging,” Parker smiles.
“What I really appreciate is that they don’t push the product indiscriminately.
Before making a purchase, you’re asked to take a quick 1-minute quiz.
This allows them to understand your goals and determine if their supplement is a good match for you. Plus, you gain valuable insights into your hormones and metabolism — all for free!
They also have a money-back guarantee, so there’s basically no risk of trying it out.
But make sure to check availability, as they’re often out of stock.
My clients usually stock up in advance just to secure their bottles.”
4 sources
Ashwaganda: Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10147008/
Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9297375/
Sex hormones affect neurotransmitters and shape the adult female brain during hormonal transition periods
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335177/
Effects of flavonoid phytochemicals on cortisol production and on activities of steroidogenic enzymes in human adrenocortical H295R cells
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11948020/
Thank you for your comment
Quality matters, especially when it comes to our health, I recommend the herbody supplement too
Wow, I never knew about Ashwagandha’s benefits! Definitely going to look into this more. Thanks for the article!
I’m currently in the thick of it at 48. It’s definitely tough, but knowing there are experts like you out there offering guidance makes it a little easier xx