Ancient herb meets modern science: could ashwagandha ease PCOS symptoms?

NCT ID NCT07750899

Disease control Sponsor: Medical University of Lodz Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 06, 2026 · Last updated Aug 07, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether a standardized ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract, combined with vitamin D and folate, can improve depression, stress, sleep, and metabolic health in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Participants will take either the ashwagandha blend or a comparator supplement daily for a period. Researchers will measure changes in mood questionnaires, stress levels, blood pressure, body composition, and blood markers to see if the herb offers added benefits.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) extract combined with vitamin D and folate
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a safe, easy-to-use supplement to complement standard PCOS care, potentially improving mood, stress, and metabolic health.
What could go wrong: This is a small early-stage trial, so results may not apply broadly. The supplement may not outperform the active comparator, and individual responses can vary.

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Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

28 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Jan 2025

Finished

May 2026

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 45 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * a diagnosis confirming the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome, * age falling within the closed range of 18-45 years, * absence of pregnancy confirmed by measurement of human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) levels in serum or urine, or by a gynaecological examination, * not currently breastfeeding, * no implanted metallic devices, such as: prostheses, pacemakers, defibrillators, stents, or metallic sutures in the heart or blood vessels, * no diagnosed epilepsy and no history of epileptic seizures, * not taking anti-epileptic medication, * not taking benzodiazepine-based sedatives, * not taking medicines containing metformin (e.g. Avamina, Formetic, Glucophage, Metformax, Siofor), * not taking preparations containing oestrogens and/or progestogens, * not taking dietary supplements. Exclusion Criteria: * no diagnosis confirming the presence of polycystic ovary syndrome, * age under 18 or over 45, * pregnancy confirmed by measurement of human chorionic gonadotrophin (β-hCG) levels in serum or urine, or by a gynaecological examination, * currently breastfeeding, * having implanted metallic devices, such as: a prosthesis, a pacemaker, a defibrillator, a stent, or a metallic suture in the heart or a blood vessel, * diagnosed epilepsy or a history of epileptic seizures, * taking anti-epileptic medication, * taking benzodiazepine-based sedatives, * taking medicines containing metformin (e.g. Avamina, Formetic, Glucophage, Metformax, Siofor), * taking preparations containing oestrogens and/or progestogens, * poor general health, severe generalised and systemic diseases, including liver and kidney failure, malabsorption syndromes, * allergy to plants of the nightshade family, * taking dietary supplements.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression polycystic ovary syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Depression symptoms Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome Stress

Ancient herb meets modern science: could ashwagandha ease PCOS symptoms?

What the study statuses mean