Written by Alexa Heathorn, CNS, Science Writer. Daily supplementation with 250 mg of ginseng twice per day for 8 weeks improved sexual function and reduced menopausal and depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women with major depressive disorder compared with placebo.

Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation resulting from the natural decline of ovarian function, confirmed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. It typically occurs around age 52 and is accompanied by a wide range of physiological and psychological symptoms, including vasomotor disturbances (such as hot flashes, palpitations, night sweats, and headaches), cognitive changes, mood instability, sleep disruption, skin alterations, decreased sexual function, and an increased risk of depression¹. Sexual dysfunction alone affects an estimated 56.8% of women in the United States during the menopausal transition, underscoring its substantial impact on quality of life. Anxiety and depression—both highly prevalent in postmenopausal women—are known to exacerbate declines in sexual function. Given this intersection, addressing sexual health in postmenopausal patients with major depressive disorder represents an important and often overlooked clinical priority.

Ginseng has been widely studied for its potential to improve sexual function, reduce menopausal symptoms, and alleviate depression. Although its effects on menopause-related concerns have been explored in numerous clinical trials, no prior research has specifically examined whether ginseng can improve sexual function in postmenopausal women living with major depressive disorder. To address this gap, the present study conducted a triple-blind, randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effects of ginseng on sexual function, menopausal symptoms, depressive symptom severity, and potential side effects in postmenopausal women diagnosed with major depression.

The study enrolled 66 Iranian postmenopausal women aged 45–60 who had been clinically diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which received capsules containing 250 mg of ginseng, or the control group, which received visually identical placebo capsules made of gelatin. Both groups were instructed to take their assigned capsules twice daily after meals for a total of eight weeks. Sexual function, depressive symptoms, and menopausal symptoms were assessed using validated questionnaires at baseline and again at the completion of the eight-week intervention period.

The results were as follows after 8 weeks of supplementation:

• Sexual Function: Participants who received ginseng experienced a significantly greater improvement in overall sexual function compared to the placebo group (+9.4 ± 7.3 vs. +3.0 ± 6.1; p < 0.001). This included meaningful increases across domains such as desire, arousal, lubrication, satisfaction, and overall sexual response.
• Menopause Symptoms: Menopausal symptoms decreased in both groups, with a significantly larger reduction observed in the ginseng group (−12.3 ± 10.4) compared to placebo (−5.7 ± 8.5; p = 0.004). Improvements were most prominent in vasomotor, psychological, and physical symptom categories.
• Depressive Symptoms: Both groups showed reductions in depression scores over the 8-week period. However, the ginseng group demonstrated a significantly greater decrease (−8.2 ± 7.0) compared to the placebo group (−4.1 ± 6.4; p = 0.010).
• Adverse Events: No serious side effects were reported in either group. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms occurred at similar rates in both the ginseng and placebo groups, with no significant difference in the frequency of adverse events (p = 0.692).

Potential limitations of the study include:

• The study population was limited to Iranian postmenopausal women with major depressive disorder, therefore results may not generalize to women of other ethnic backgrounds, cultural settings, or to postmenopausal women without depression.
• All participants were treated with SSRIs for major depressive disorder, which may influence both sexual function and mood outcomes; therefore, it remains unclear how ginseng would affect women not taking SSRIs or those using other classes of antidepressants.
• The sample size was relatively small (66 participants), which may limit the statistical power of the findings and the ability to detect more subtle group differences.
• The intervention period was short (8 weeks), therefore the long-term effects and safety of ginseng supplementation in this population remain unknown.
• A specific dose and preparation of ginseng (250 mg capsules taken twice daily) was used in this trial; therefore, results may not be generalized to other ginseng formulations or dosing regimens.
• Sexual, depressive, and menopausal symptoms were assessed through self-reported questionnaires, which may introduce variability based on personal interpretation or reporting bias.

In conclusion, daily supplementation with 250 mg of ginseng for eight weeks significantly improved sexual function and reduced menopausal and depressive symptoms specifically in postmenopausal women diagnosed with major depressive disorder. These results highlight the potential role of ginseng as a safe adjunctive intervention for improving sexual health and emotional well-being in this clinically vulnerable population. However, because this study focused on a small and specific group, more research is needed to fully understand how ginseng may support this population.

Click here to read the full text study.

Posted January 2, 2026.

Alexa Heathorn, MS, CNS-c, is a clinical nutritionist specializing in metabolic health, hormonal balance, and gastrointestinal restoration through root-cause functional nutrition. She earned her master’s degree in Nutrition from Bastyr University and is currently a Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) candidate. Alexa also works as a research writer and functional health consultant, translating complex science into actionable strategies for practitioners and wellness companies. Learn more at www.bloomedwellness.com.

References:

1. Sharifpour Z, Hasanpoor S, Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi S, Mousavi Z, Shaseb E, Mirghafourvand M. The effect of ginseng on sexual function in postmenopausal women with major depression: a triple-blind randomized controlled trial. J Pharm Health Care Sci. Jun 18 2025;11(1):52. doi:10.1186/s40780-025-00461-2