Does Ashwagandha Cause Miscarriage – What you need to know
Pregnancy is a magical journey that comes with various challenges, including stress, hormonal imbalance, and sleep disturbances. These problems can be alleviated by various herbal supplements, including ashwagandha. However, many expecting mothers wonder, does ashwagandha cause miscarriage? Maybe they googled it and saw some scary generalized answers. (So common in pregnancy when most people are misinformed.)
While this concern is understandable, it’s also essential to understand the facts before making a decision on whether or not you should take adaptogens or supplements including ashwagandha while pregnant.
In this article, we will explore whether ashwagandha causes miscarriages and whether it is safe to consume during pregnancy. I hope to clear up all your questions as I am certified in prenatal nutrition and see misinformation about the topic so frequently.
You may also want to check out if it’s safe to eat cinnamon while pregnant and if eating clams can cause miscarriage.
Research on Ashwagandha During Pregnancy
Firstly, it’s important to note that there hasn’t been enough research on pregnancy or women’s health overall. Therefore, most doctors will err on the side of caution and recommend avoiding ashwagandha during pregnancy.
The reason behind this recommendation is that ashwagandha can stimulate menstruation and lead to a miscarriage when taken in high amounts. According to studies, it takes a massive dose of ashwagandha to cause miscarriage, which is not normally even achievable through supplements. Therefore, it is essential to take ashwagandha supplements at low doses to prevent potential side effects. But due to this research, most people choose to avoid it entirely until after giving birth.
On the other hand, ashwagandha is a powerful adaptogen that can reduce stress, balance hormones, and improve sleep, which are hugely beneficial during pregnancy. Now, here is another reason that people may choose to avoid ashwagandha while pregnant: fear of it altering that specific hormonal balance required to sustain a pregnancy.
But on the other side, high-stress levels during pregnancy can lead to various complications such as high blood pressure and preterm labor. It can negatively affect the fetus as well, they get those stress hormones through the placenta.
Furthermore, hormonal imbalances can cause mood swings, fatigue, and anxiety.
Ashwagandha is incredibly effective in balancing hormones in the body, including cortisol, estrogen, and progesterone. Once again, IF you choose to take ashwagandha or a supplement containing a small amount during your pregnancy, keep the levels low.
If you plan to take ashwagandha during pregnancy, it’s recommended that you absolutely first consult your doctor or midwife. Your healthcare provider is better placed to advise you on what’s best for you and your growing baby. In some instances, your doctor may recommend alternative herbs that have fewer concerns about their safety during pregnancy.
Know that most doctors receive only a very small amount of prenatal nutrition during schooling (yes even OBGYNS) so it actually isn’t their specialty, a registered dietician or nutritionist or even midwife will be more knowledgeable. But some doctors are more informed than others if they’ve continued to do in-depth research beyond receiving their doctorate.
With that said, some experts believe that ashwagandha is not at all safe for pregnant women because it can have uterine stimulant effects. Individuals with a history of miscarriages and premature birth should avoid taking ashwagandha to be on the safe side. Additionally, individuals who are taking medication such as blood thinners should avoid using ashwagandha.
Benefits of Taking Ashwagandha
Stress Reduction
Ashwagandha has been proven in handfuls of double-blind studies (source and source) to reduce stress. This is absolutely worth noting for a pregnant woman who suffers from depression or anxiety.
Most prescribed medications that you would normally take to alleviate these symptoms are proven unsafe for use during pregnancy. If this is a concern and you are looking for a more natural but effective alternative to replace an anti-anxiety medication throughout your gestation, it might be worth considering taking a low dose of ashwagandha.
There are not hard-set rules about taking or not taking many herbs and medications during pregnancy. Just suggestions based on very few scientific studies that for the most part have been done on animals and mostly include taking extremely high amounts of any said drug or herb. (I do make these statements through knowledge as being Certified in Nutrition and Lifestyle During Pregnancy myself as well.)
So it is important to do your own research and make an informed choice based on your own medical history.
As an example, if you have had miscarriages in the past I would steer clear from ashwagandha while pregnant. But if you are taking an SSRI for anxiety, ashwagandha might be a much safer alternative to switch to taking throughout your gestation.
Hormone Balancing
Ashwagandha has also been proven to help in balancing hormones in both men and women. While pregnant, your hormones are all over the place. You can get super emotional and cry for virtually no reason. Really it can make you feel a bit crazy. This doesn’t always happen, for instance, only my 3rd pregnancy made me a crying emotional wreck every day over the smallest things, but it can.
Your hormonal balance is vital to maintaining a pregnancy. The excess progesterone produced by your uterus tells your body to keep the pregnancy. But what if you are feeling like a hormonal mess?
Ashwagandha can help. It doesn’t alter your hormones as some misinformed doctors might tell you to keep you from taking any while pregnant.
Instead, ashwagandha enhances the endocrine system and helps it to more effectively regulate thyroid and adrenal glands (where hormones are produced.)
Essentially, it supports the pathways in the brain that are responsible for creating and administering your hormones. (source) Ashwagandha helps your body do what it is supposed to do better, it won’t cause hormonal surges.
Does Ashwagandha Cause Miscarriage?
In extremely high doses ashwagandha can cause miscarriage. If you are prone to miscarriage don’t take ashwagandha while pregnant. It’s best to avoid ashwagandha during the first trimester when the chance of miscarriage is highest.
After the first trimester (when the chance of miscarriage reduces to almost none) it can be a good choice to take ashwagandha daily in small amounts to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, and balance hormones.
It may be a much safer choice than taking prescribed medications during your pregnancy as many cultures have used ashwagandha before and throughout pregnancy for centuries.
Wrapping Up Does Ashwagandha Cause Miscarriage?
In conclusion, ashwagandha is a potent herb that can have a significant impact on your pregnancy journey. However, there isn’t enough research on ashwagandha, especially on its safety during pregnancy. Therefore, it is advisable to exercise caution and take ashwagandha in low dosages only after consulting with your healthcare provider.
While ashwagandha can cause a miscarriage, this is only possible with extremely high doses. If you choose to take ashwagandha, ensure that you are taking a reputable brand and follow the instructions on the label to avoid any potential side effects.
