Creatine has been having a moment, especially among women who want more strength, better energy, and support through busy, overstretched seasons of life. But with all the hype comes confusion. Does it make you bulky? How much should you take? And does it really help with more than workouts?
That’s where Ask Dr Shilpa comes in. As Cymbiotika’s Vice President of R and D, Dr Shilpa Raut spends her days deep in clinical research and product development, translating complex science into formulas that actually work. So we asked her to break down creatine in the simplest, most honest way possible and explain why it might be one of the most beneficial supplements for women at any age.
Below, she answers your most common questions and clears up the myths once and for all.
Many women still associate creatine with “bulking.” Can you explain why creatine doesn’t make you bigger and how it actually supports lean muscle definition and overall strength instead?
Creatine does draw water into muscle cells but not in a significant way when taken at the correct dose. The myth that creatine causes bulkiness started with early studies using high loading doses of twenty grams per day which can cause temporary water retention.
At clinically supported daily amounts creatine helps improve strength and lean muscle definition without creating excess size. Even the water retention seen during loading phases is temporary. Creatine itself will not make someone bulky. Bulk happens only when training style and calorie intake support it.
There’s so much confusion around dosing. Why is 5 grams the evidence based sweet spot for women, even those who aren’t heavy lifters?
Most clinical trials use three to five grams of creatine monohydrate per day as a maintenance dose. This range consistently saturates muscle stores and supports strength and lean mass improvements compared with placebo.
Creatine also supports cognitive performance. Studies on working memory and executive function often use five grams per day for four to six weeks and see meaningful improvements.
Some people begin with a ten to twenty gram loading phase, but this is also when short term water retention is more likely. A simple five gram daily dose aligns with the data, works across body sizes and training styles, and is easy to stay consistent with.
Creatine has a reputation for causing bloating. What actually causes that in lower quality formulas, and how does Cymbiotika’s formulation avoid that issue entirely?
When people describe bloating from creatine they are usually referring to either cellular water retention or GI discomfort. The latter is the more common issue.
Standard creatine monohydrate powders often do not fully dissolve and can be gritty. If residue is left in your glass it behaves the same way in your stomach and can lead to discomfort or bloating, especially in larger doses. Taking it with food and water helps but does not fix the solubility challenge.
Cymbiotika’s liposomal creatine uses a more soluble and bioavailable creatine monohydrate that has been clinically studied for smooth digestion. The liposomal matrix works like a food like carrier that enhances absorption and avoids the GI distress typical of standard powders.
How does creatine support women specifically as they move through different life stages, from their twenties into perimenopause and beyond?
Women naturally have lower endogenous creatine stores than men and hormonal fluctuations shift physiological needs across life stages.
In your twenties creatine supports performance, lean muscle, hydration, and even sleep. During pregnancy it may help meet increased energy demands. As women transition into menopause and beyond declining estrogen accelerates age related muscle loss and affects strength. Creatine becomes especially helpful here for supporting muscle mass, bone density, and overall resilience which may help reduce injury risk with age.
Creatine is often framed as a gym supplement, but we know it does so much more. What are some of the cognitive or metabolic benefits women don’t realize they’re getting?
Creatine is stored not only in muscle but also in the brain and as it helps generate ATP, the body’s primary energy currency. During periods of stress, poor sleep, or high cognitive demand creatine helps maintain ATP levels which supports focus and reduces mental fatigue. Studies consistently show improvements in working memory and executive function.
On the metabolic side creatine supports lean body composition when paired with strength training. By improving cellular energy turnover and supporting both brain and muscle function it becomes a key tool for healthy aging especially during perimenopause.
Some think creatine is only for people who train intensely. How can everyday stress, sleep, and even hormonal fluctuations affect creatine stores in women, making supplementation helpful?
Women typically have lower creatine levels than men and hormone driven changes can influence creatine synthesis and transport. Early research suggests creatine may even support fatigue during the menstrual cycle.
Cycle syncing workouts can feel overwhelming for many women. Instead of restructuring your entire routine creatine offers an accessible way to support energy during naturally low energy days.
During pregnancy and menopause when hormonal shifts are more significant creatine becomes even more impactful connecting back to its role in supporting muscle mass, cognitive function, and long term vitality.
There are a lot of creatine myths online. What’s one misconception that you wish we could retire for good, especially for female athletes and everyday movers?
That it is only for gym bros. As seen in questions four, five, and six creatine supports far more than training. Women benefit cognitively, metabolically, and across their entire lifespan.
For women who eat primarily plant based, why might creatine supplementation be even more valuable?
Creatine is naturally found in animal foods such as meat, fish, and poultry. Plant based eaters therefore begin with lower baseline creatine stores. Studies show vegetarians often experience a more pronounced response when they supplement including improved performance and recovery.
Cognitive benefits also stand out. In a double blind placebo controlled study vegetarian participants taking five grams per day for six weeks experienced significant improvements in working memory and reasoning compared with placebo.
Previously research suggested to take creatine before workout. Recently it's been said to take creatine after a workout. What is your recommendation?
My recommendation is to take it before your workout. Creatine donates a phosphate group that helps produce ATP which provides an immediate energy boost to your muscles. Taking it before training aligns with how it works and may help support performance.
Most of the body's creatine is found in high energy tissues like muscle and brain. By helping recycle ATP creatine supports both performance and recovery in a way that makes pre workout timing ideal.
