The study, published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements, explored the effects of Shatavari root extract supplementation in 145 healthy perimenopausal women in India over 84 days.
“This study establishes a disruptive therapeutic paradigm for the perimenopausal market, a historically underserved demographic characterized by high endocrine volatility,” Komal Baldwa, Founder of Waleria Healthtech Pvt. Ltd., in India, who funded the study and provided the intervention, told NutraIngredients.
“Aspurus Shatavari is currently the only Asparagus racemosus extract backed by a large-scale clinical trial of 150 perimenopausal women evaluated over 12 weeks,” she continued.
Study methodology
The double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, recruited volunteers women to consume either Shatavari root extract, providing approximately 25 mg of total Shatavarins at 500mg/day, or placebo.
Baldwa said that the study’s method of evaluating symptoms was important, noted that conventional research counts symptom frequency, but the study’s methods evaluated both frequency and intensity across 12 major symptom domains using the Menopause Symptom Severity Index (MSSI-38), providing a more complete picture of symptom burden
“One woman may experience one hot flash lasting several minutes, while another may experience several shorter episodes; simply counting episodes does not capture the difference in the experience,” she explained.
“This shift reflects a broader reality: today’s women are demanding more nuanced, relevant approaches that better reflect their livedexperience and evolving needs.”
She noted that the most significant data from the study was that the significant improvements
“Crucially, the study data demonstrated significant efficacy in mitigating estrogen-linked brain fog(improved by 44%), perimenopausal irritability and physical fatigue-energy (improved by 74%); the latter being a unique and highly sought-after consumer endpoint,” Baldwa said, noting that the results provide formulators with broader clinical insights to build more targeted consumer-relevant health claims.
Challenging industry preferences
Baldwa told NI that aspurus, Shatavari root extract mimics the phytoprofile and preserves the seven bioactives and 5% Shatavarins.
“The synergistic matrix of major steroidal saponins and minor phytoconstituents interacts with multiple hormonal pathways simultaneously—supporting the balancing of progesterone, cortisol, FSH, LH and testosterone,” she said.
“These findings challenge the industry preference for high enriched Shatavarins or single-biomarker like Shatavarin IV. This distinction is particularly relevant in perimenopause, where women experience an interplay of multiple hormonal and physiological changes.”
Noting that the formula demonstrated significant improvements in energy, mood, and cognitive clarity as early as day 14, Baldwa said the full-spectrum extract “offers a
superior pharmacological and commercial advantage for multifaceted perimenopausal care.”
A distinct therapeutic timeline
Baldwa explained that the researchers observed distinct phases in the formula’s therapeutic timeline.
The early response phase at days 1–14 demonstrated a measurable clinical response characterized by a rapid stabilization of vasomotor symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
The study noted that from day 14 there was also a reduction in sexual symptoms.
“These domain-specific changes may be attributed to the phytoestrogenic compounds of Shatavari, which are proposed to bind to estrogen receptors expressed in the brain region that modulates mood and thereby alleviates anxiety,” the authors wrote.
“From day 28 onward, the therapeutic response became significantly broader and cumulative,” Baldwa said, noting symptom improvement in cognitive function, mood, and vitality.
“Notably, the benefits of the full-spectrum extract did not abruptly cease upon discontinuation; improvements were shown to continue for over two weeks post-treatment,” she said.
“Perimenopause is a multifaceted transition; its clinical response cannot be judged by a single
symptom or a single time point,” she commented.
“Showing an early response by day 14 provides the rapid validation consumers demand, while the broader, evolving efficacy up to 12 weeks underscores the strict commercial importance of continued compliance for long-term quality-of-life outcomes.
The study authors acknowledged the limitations, including a relatively short duration and a limited population, and recommended larger, multinational investigations to strengthen the generalizability of the evidence.
Source: Journal of Dietary Supplements; doi: 10.1080/19390211.2026.2689348; “Efficacy and Safety of Shatavari Root Extract in Managing Peri-Menopausal Symptoms—A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Clinical Trial” Authors: G. Surampalli et al.
