Role of Shatavari in Enhancing Endocrine Function for Reproductive Health

Reproductive health is predisposed by variety of biological, environmental, lifestyle and psychological factors. Biological factors which affect the reproductive health include hormonal balance; appropriate levels of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone and testosterone to regulate menstrual cycles; sperm production; and sexual health, whereas changes in lifestyle, oxidative stress, and environmental and unknown genetic factors directly affect reproductive health and result in hormonal imbalance, missed periods, sterility in males and females, pregnancy-related complications, pelvic inflammatory diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, uterine fibroids, low sperm count and poor motility. There are several medications used to maintain reproductive health amid numerous life-threatening side effects. Shatavari is a storehouse of several incredible organic, inorganic and secondary metabolites and appears to be promising in regulating reproductive health related complications. Thus, the current chapter sheds light on the broad spectrum of medicinal qualities of Shatavari and its regulatory mechanisms for enhancing endocrine function for reproductive health.