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Saffron Supplement for Women

Several of the most interesting saffron trials were done in women, covering PMS, menopause, postpartum mood and sexual function. Here's what a saffron supplement can and can't do for women, and how to use it safely at each life stage.

By the Saffron Supplement Editorial TeamPublished How we research

Key takeaways

  • PMS: 15 mg twice daily reduced symptoms over two cycles.
  • Menopause: 30 mg/day improved hot flashes and mood in post-menopausal women with depression.
  • Postpartum mood: 30 mg/day helped mild-to-moderate postpartum depression in one trial (under medical supervision).
  • Libido: saffron improved SSRI-related sexual side effects in women.
  • Pregnancy: avoid saffron supplements unless your obstetrician approves.

Saffron for PMS

In a double-blind trial of 50 women with PMS, 15 mg of saffron twice daily for two menstrual cycles cut total PMS symptoms and depression scores significantly more than placebo (Agha-Hosseini 2008). Irritability, mood swings and low mood improved most. Read our full guide to saffron for PMS.

Saffron for Menopause and Hot Flashes

A randomized trial gave post-menopausal women with depression and hot flashes 30 mg/day of saffron (15 mg twice daily) or placebo for 6 weeks. The saffron group had greater reductions in both hot-flash scores and depression scores (Kashani 2018). It's a single small study, but it's one of the few herbal options with randomized evidence for both symptoms at once.

Hot flashes have many effective treatments, including hormone therapy and non-hormonal medicines. Saffron is a reasonable thing to discuss with your doctor, not a replacement for a menopause consultation.

Saffron for Postpartum Mood

In mothers with mild-to-moderate postpartum depression, 15 mg of saffron twice daily for 8 weeks improved depression scores more than placebo (Tabeshpour 2017). Safety data for saffron supplements during breastfeeding are still limited, so this is only something to try with your doctor's involvement.

Postpartum depression is common and treatable. If you feel persistently low, anxious or detached after having a baby, please talk to your doctor or midwife. In the US you can call or text the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-852-6262, or 988 in a crisis.

Saffron for Libido and Sexual Function

Antidepressants often reduce libido and arousal. In a 4-week trial of women with fluoxetine-related sexual dysfunction, 15 mg of saffron twice daily improved arousal, lubrication and pain scores compared with placebo (Kashani 2013). A 2019 meta-analysis of saffron and sexual dysfunction found benefits across men and women, though the trials were small (Ranjbar 2019).

Everyday Mood and Stress

Most saffron mood trials included both women and men. In healthy adults with subclinical low mood, 28 mg/day of affron® improved mood and reduced tension within 4 weeks (Kell 2017). See saffron for mood for the full evidence.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Pregnancy: large amounts of saffron have traditionally been used to stimulate the uterus. A pinch in food is considered fine, but avoid saffron supplements unless your obstetrician specifically approves them.
Trying to conceive: stop saffron supplements once you're actively trying, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding: safety data are limited. Talk to your doctor first.

Run through the saffron safety checker before starting.

How Women Can Take Saffron

GoalDose used in trialsHow long
PMS15 mg twice daily, throughout the cycle2 cycles
Menopausal hot flashes + mood15 mg twice daily6 weeks
Postpartum mood (with doctor)15 mg twice daily8 weeks
SSRI sexual side effects15 mg twice daily4 weeks
Everyday mood & stress28 mg affron® or 30 mg extract4–8 weeks

Notice that most of these trials used 15 mg twice daily. A 15 mg product makes that easy, and the dosage calculator works it out for any capsule size.

As an Amazon Associate, Saffron Supplement earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. How we make money.

Best Budget / Flexible DosingSource Naturals Serene Science Saffron Extract 15 mg

15 mg tablets match the twice-daily protocol used in most women's health trials.

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Best for Women / PMSPink Stork Saffron Extract for Women

Made by a women's-health brand for monthly mood balance.

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Best affron® ExtractVINATURA Organic Saffron Supplement 28 mg (affron®)

Organic affron® 28 mg for everyday mood and stress.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is saffron good for women's hormones?

Saffron isn't a hormone and isn't known to change estrogen or progesterone levels. Its benefits for PMS and menopause seem to come from effects on mood and symptoms rather than on hormone levels.

Can saffron help with menopause weight gain?

Saffron may reduce snacking (as seen with Satiereal®), but there's no evidence it targets menopause-related weight gain specifically.

Is saffron safe with birth control?

No interaction between saffron and hormonal contraception is known. Check with your pharmacist if you take other medicines.

How much saffron should a woman take daily?

Most trials in women used 30 mg a day, as 15 mg twice daily.

Research & Sources

  1. Agha-Hosseini M, et al. Crocus sativus L. (saffron) in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a double-blind, randomised and placebo-controlled trial. BJOG. 2008;115(4):515-519.
  2. Kashani L, et al. Efficacy of Crocus sativus (saffron) in treatment of major depressive disorder associated with post-menopausal hot flashes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2018;297(3):717-724.
  3. Tabeshpour J, et al. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of saffron stigma (Crocus sativus L.) in mothers suffering from mild-to-moderate postpartum depression. Phytomedicine. 2017;36:145-152.
  4. Kashani L, et al. Saffron for treatment of fluoxetine-induced sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Hum Psychopharmacol. 2013;28(1):54-60.
  5. Ranjbar H, Ashrafizaveh A. Effects of saffron (Crocus sativus) on sexual dysfunction among men and women: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Avicenna J Phytomed. 2019;9(5):419-427.
  6. Kell G, et al. affron® improves mood in healthy adults over 4 weeks. Complement Ther Med. 2017;33:58-64.

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