Women's Sexual Health and Well-being

Understanding Shatavari and Ashwagandha: What recent clinical research says about women’s sexual wellness

Women’s sexual wellness is a complex topic influenced by a mix of physical, psychological, and emotional factors. Despite how common concerns around desire, arousal, and comfort are, women's sexual health remains historically under-researched.

However, a peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health offers new clinical data on traditional Ayurvedic herbs. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial looked specifically at Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) root extract - both on its own and combined with Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract - to evaluate its impact on female sexual function and overall well-being.

Here is a breakdown of how the study was conducted and what the researchers discovered.

The Study Design: How was the research conducted?

To ensure high-quality data, researchers utilized a gold-standard clinical trial model: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study.

The trial was conducted across two distinct global regions: Tieten Medi City Hospital in Maharashtra, India, and the San Francisco Research Institute in California, USA.

Who Participated?

• Total Enrolled: 135 healthy women aged 18 to 55.
• Prerequisites: Participants agreed to engage in sexual intercourse at least four times per month and comply with the 8-week protocol.
• Completion: 127 participants completed the full 8-week study (41 in the Shatavari group, 44 in the Shatavari + Ashwagandha group, and 42 in the placebo group).

What were the interventions?

Participants took one capsule daily after breakfast for 8 weeks, divided into three random groups:

1. Shatavari Group (SHT): 300 mg of standardized Shatavari root extract (13:1 ratio, >10% shatavarins).
2. Combination Group (SHT-ARE): 300 mg of Shatavari root extract plus 250 mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract.
3. Placebo Group: 300 mg of starch.

Key Findings: The impact on female sexual function

The primary outcome of the study was measured using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), a validated clinical tool that assesses six core areas: desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain.

By week 8, total FSFI scores were significantly higher in both the combination group ($P=0.005$) and the standalone Shatavari group ($P=0.025$) compared to the placebo group.

The combination of Shatavari and Ashwagandha showed distinct, progressive improvements across the individual metrics:

• Desire & Arousal: The combination group saw significant improvements in sexual desire and arousal as early as week 4 compared to the placebo. Arousal improvements sustained through to week 8.
• Lubrication & Orgasm: By week 8, scores for natural lubrication and orgasm quality were significantly higher in the combination group compared to the placebo.
• Satisfaction: General sexual satisfaction improved significantly by week 8 in the standalone Shatavari group compared to the placebo.
• Activity Frequency: At week 8, the actual number of sexual intercourse occurrences was significantly higher in the combination group compared to the placebo group.

Beyond Physical Wellness: Mood, Stress, and Sleep

Because women's sexual wellness is closely tied to mental and emotional health, the researchers tracked secondary metrics using recognized psychology scales.

The combination of Shatavari and Ashwagandha—the latter being a well-known adaptogen used to modulate stress—demonstrated notable benefits for emotional well-being:

Safety, Tolerability, and Biomarkers

Safety was monitored closely via vital signs, liver enzymes, and serum hormones.

• Liver & Blood Markers: All liver enzymes remained completely within normal biological limits throughout the 8 weeks, indicating the extracts were well-tolerated by the metabolic system.
• Adverse Effects: A small number of mild, transient effects (such as mild nausea, dizziness, or temporary abdominal bloating) were reported equally across all three groups - including the placebo group - and resolved fully without any intervention.

Study Limitations to Keep in Mind

While the conclusions are promising, responsible scientific evaluation requires looking at the limitations noted by the authors:

• Short Duration: The study only tracked outcomes over 8 weeks; longer-term studies would provide deeper insights into sustainability.
• Menstrual Variables: The study did not strictly control for the exact day of participants' menstrual cycles during blood draws, meaning fluctuating natural hormone levels were not fully isolated.
• Exploratory Nature: The trial was exploratory rather than powered for definitive confirmatory statistical inference.

Summary

The findings suggest that standardized Shatavari root extract supports multiple facets of female sexual function and emotional distress related to intimacy. Furthermore, combining Shatavari with the adaptogenic properties of Ashwagandha root extract appears to offer an additive, synergistic benefit - notably supporting mood, happiness parameters, and sleep efficiency alongside physical sexual wellness.

Scientific Reference: Ademola J, Mahajan S, Srivathsan M, Langade D. Effects of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) root extract on sexual wellness in women: findings from a prospective, randomized, double-blind, three-arm, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Int J Womens Health. February 10, 2026;18:561213. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S561213.

DISCLAIMER

This article summarises published scientific literature for educational purposes. The information presented does not constitute medical advice and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to use any particular product or ingredient. Research findings may not apply to all individuals and further studies may be required.