Saffron Extract May Help Relieve Mood Swings in Perimenopausal Women

Perimenopause is the stage when a woman’s body begins to transition to menopause. Symptoms may include hot flashes, fatigue, irregular periods, and changes in mood. A recent study has found that saffron extract may help alleviate changes in mood such as depression and anxiety in perimenopausal women.

Participants in the study included 86 perimenopausal women with symptoms. They received 28 mg of saffron extract or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. The researchers used the Greene Climacteric Scale, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey to assess perimenopausal symptoms at baseline and at the end of the study period.

At the end of the study period, participants in the saffron extract group saw a 33% reduction in anxiety and a 32% reduction in depression scores compared to baseline. They also saw a significantly greater reduction in the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule score compared to the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from Murdoch University. It was published online ahead of print on April 19, 2021 in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine.