Tongkat Ali for Menopause: How This Traditional Men’s Herb Is Helping Women Find Relief

If you have heard of tongkat ali before, it was probably in the context of men’s health. This Southeast Asian herb has a long traditional history as a male aphrodisiac, which is why one of its common names is “longjack root.” But new research is expanding our understanding of what tongkat ali can do, and the findings for women navigating menopause are genuinely exciting.

A 2025 study published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases explored tongkat ali menopause benefits for the first time, and the results suggest this traditional herb deserves a place in the conversation about natural menopause relief.

What Is Tongkat Ali

Tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is a flowering plant native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Traditional Malaysian medicine has used tongkat ali for centuries as an adaptogen for general wellbeing, energy, and vitality.

The herb gained international attention primarily for its effects on male hormones and libido. But traditional use has always been broader than that single application. In its home regions, tongkat ali has long been valued as a general tonic for both men and women.

Modern research is now catching up to what traditional practitioners understood: tongkat ali benefits may extend well beyond men’s health.

The New Tongkat Ali Menopause Research

The 2025 study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, which is the gold standard for supplement research. Researchers gave women experiencing menopausal symptoms either a placebo or 100mg of tongkat ali extract daily for 12 weeks.

To measure results, researchers used two validated assessment tools. The MENQOL (Menopause-Specific Quality of Life) questionnaire evaluated physical symptoms, emotional wellbeing, and sexual function. The POMS (Profile of Mood States) assessment measured psychological factors like tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and mental clarity.

The tongkat ali menopause results were significant across multiple measures.

How Women in the Study Improved

On the MENQOL assessment, total scores improved significantly more in the tongkat ali group compared to placebo. Women taking tongkat ali saw a 33.9% improvement in overall menopause symptoms, compared to 23.3% in the placebo group.

That difference matters. Both groups improved (which is common in menopause studies due to placebo effects and natural symptom fluctuation), but the tongkat ali group improved meaningfully more.

The tongkat ali for women results were particularly strong in the physical and sexual domains, which we will break down below.

Physical and Sexual Symptom Relief

For many women, the physical symptoms of menopause are the most disruptive to daily life. Hot flashes interrupt sleep. Night sweats soak through pajamas. Energy disappears. The tongkat ali menopause research showed meaningful improvements in these areas:

Hot flashes and night sweats: 33.4% improvement

These vasomotor symptoms are often the most recognizable signs of menopause, and they can range from mildly annoying to severely disruptive. A one-third improvement represents real relief for women dealing with frequent or intense episodes.

Physical symptoms: 36.4% improvement

This category includes things like aches, fatigue, and general physical discomfort that often accompany hormonal changes.

Sexual symptoms: 36.3% improvement

Menopause commonly affects libido, arousal, and comfort during intimacy. The tongkat ali benefits in this area align with the herb’s traditional reputation, though now we see evidence that these effects extend to women as well.

Mood and Psychological Benefits

Menopause does not just affect the body. Hormonal shifts can significantly impact mood, mental clarity, and emotional resilience. The POMS assessment in this tongkat ali menopause study measured these psychological factors, and the results were encouraging:

• Tension: 21.7% improvement
• Depression: 31.9% improvement
• Anger: 13.8% improvement
• Fatigue: 36.9% improvement
• Confusion: 20.5% improvement
• Vigor: 5.7% improvement

The fatigue improvement stands out at nearly 37%. Many women describe menopause-related fatigue as one of the most frustrating symptoms because it affects everything else. When you are exhausted, managing other symptoms becomes harder, work suffers, and relationships feel strained.

The depression and tension improvements are also noteworthy. While tongkat ali is not a treatment for clinical depression, these findings suggest it may help with the mood changes that commonly accompany menopause.

Psychological symptoms overall: 26.8% improvement

Safety Profile

One of the most important findings in this tongkat ali for women research was the safety data. The study found:

• No adverse events reported
• No effect on hormone levels
• No impact on blood pressure
• No changes to liver enzymes
• No changes to kidney function

This safety profile represents a potential advantage over hormone replacement therapy, which can carry risks for certain women. Of course, every person is different, and what works safely for one woman may not be appropriate for another. But having a well-tolerated natural option in the menopause relief toolkit is valuable.

The 12-week study duration also provides some reassurance about medium-term use, though longer studies would help confirm safety over extended periods.

What This Means for You

This research represents the first clinical evidence that tongkat ali menopause benefits are real and measurable. For women looking for natural approaches to menopause symptoms, it adds another option worth considering.

A few things to keep in mind:

Dosage matters. The study used 100mg of tongkat ali extract daily. Not all supplements are created equal, and extract potency can vary between products.

Give it time. The study ran for 12 weeks. Herbal supplements often take weeks to show their full effects, so patience is important.

It is not a replacement for medical care. If your menopause symptoms are severe or significantly affecting your quality of life, talk to your healthcare provider. Tongkat ali may be a helpful addition to your approach, but it is not necessarily a complete solution on its own.

Quality matters. Look for tongkat ali supplements from reputable sources that test for purity and potency.

Ready to Learn More?

At Bama Health Foods, we carry tongkat ali supplements and our Wellness Advocates can help you understand what to look for in a quality product. If you are navigating menopause and curious about natural options, we would love to talk through what the research says and what might work for your situation.

Schedule a Free Wellness Consultation

Or stop by our store at 1923 Bessemer Rd in Birmingham, AL. Menopause is a journey, and you do not have to figure it out alone.

Call us: 205-923-0001

Related Reading:

What New Research Says About Natural Health: 3 Studies Worth Your Attention

Source: World J Clin Cases. 2025 Nov 6;13(31):109113.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.