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5 benefits of ashwagandha for men
Summary
1Ashwagandha benefits for men
As an adaptogen, the ashwagandha herb is most commonly known for reducing levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the body...
2Ashwagandha for testosterone
Another widely known use of ashwagandha is for sexual performance – specifically around increasing testosterone levels in men...
3Ashwagandha for libido/sex drive
With its ability to enhance testosterone levels, this, in turn, is considered to contribute to an enhanced sexual desire...
If you’ve heard of ashwagandha root extract, it’s likely you’ve heard of at least one of its multiple benefits, too.
Some of the fan-favourites include its abilities to help to reduce levels of stress in the body; enhance physical endurance (including muscle growth and strength); and help to reduce blood sugar levels.
However, there are some benefits that directly affect men, rather than women. From improving the quality of sperm to boosting sex drive, ashwagandha has a number of associated benefits for men – and these are what we’re focussing on today through our guide.
Ashwagandha benefits for men
Ashwagandha for testosterone
Ashwagandha for libido/sex drive
With its ability to enhance testosterone levels, this, in turn, is considered to contribute to an enhanced sexual desire.3 As we know ashwagandha helps to reduce stress levels in the body, it’s believed this could also have a correlation with sex drive and sexual performance.
Ongoing stress is a common cause of a reduced sex drive and poor sexual performance. However, studies have shown that as ashwagandha offers stress relief – this can positively impact sex drive, providing a calming effect which enhances both desire and pleasure.4
Ashwagandha is also believed to improve sexual satisfaction in women, too, alongside a number of other benefits. Read our dedicated guide on ashwagandha benefits for females for more.
Ashwagandha for fertility
As mentioned in the previous section about testosterone, studies which saw an increase in participants’ testosterone levels also saw an increase in their partners becoming pregnant7 – leading to a link between ashwagandha, testosterone and fertility.
So, coupled with raised testosterone levels and increased sex drive, it’s safe to assume that ashwagandha could provide benefits for men’s fertility.
Can taking ashwagandha help erectile dysfunction?
With its ability to support sperm motility, sperm count and libido, this has led to theories that ashwagandha could help people suffering from Erectile Dysfunction (ED) – the inability to get, and/or maintain, an erection.
However, although there’s anecdotal evidence stating that it’s effective, there are limited studies to back this up from a scientific perspective. In fact, there are actually more studies that refute it rather than support it.
A 2002 study looked at the effect of ashwagandha on male rats over a period of a week. This study found that the rats experienced an increase in the symptoms of ED, as well as a lower sex drive and performance.8
With the reduction of stress levels in the body, in theory, ashwagandha could then reduce the levels of sexual anxiety associated with ongoing stress.
However, another study analysed men with psychogenic ED, which is a form of ED that is predominantly associated with sexual anxiety, including worrying about sexual performance.
The study analysed 86 men for 60 days and found that ashwagandha did not provide any more relief from ED than the placebo.9
Therefore, the research suggests that although ashwagandha may help contribute to an improved sperm count and libido, it may not be effective in helping reduce symptoms of ED.
Ashwagandha for muscle growth & strength
Although this also benefits women, it’s believed that ashwagandha can enhance muscle growth and strength, as this is paired with a rise in testosterone in males.
Research to support this concluded that in a study of healthy men, an increase of strength in muscle activity was significant, as well as a reduction in total body fat percentage.10
The final say
Ashwagandha root extract has been proven to be effective for improving sperm count, sperm motility and the quality of semen. It’s also believed to enhance testosterone levels, which contribute to an increased libido as well as helping to fuel muscle growth and endurance.
There’s not enough scientific evidence to suggest that ashwagandha is effective in providing treatment for patients with erectile dysfunction.
Browse our full selection of ashwagandha supplements online today to find the perfect choice for your needs.
1Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Ahmad MK, Rajender S, Shankhwar SN, Singh V, et al. Withania somniferaImproves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:1–9.
2Lopresti AL, Drummond PD, Smith SJ. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Study Examining the Hormonal and Vitality Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Aging, Overweight Males. American Journal of Men’s Health. 2019 Mar;13(2):155798831983598.
3Chauhan S, Srivastava MK, Pathak AK. Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (withania somnifera) on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial. Health Science Reports. 2022 Jul;5(4).
4Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R. An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine [Internet]. 2019 Sep;98(37):e17186. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31517876
5Nasimi Doost Azgomi R, Zomorrodi A, Nazemyieh H, Fazljou SMB, Sadeghi Bazargani H, Nejatbakhsh F, et al. Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence. BioMed Research International [Internet]. 2018 Jan 24;2018(1). Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5833251/
6Ahmad MK, Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Islam N, Rajender S, Madhukar D, et al. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males. Fertility and sterility [Internet]. 2010;94(3):989–96. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19501822
7Mahdi AA, Shukla KK, Ahmad MK, Rajender S, Shankhwar SN, Singh V, et al. Withania somniferaImproves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011;2011:1–9.
8Ilayperuma I, Ratnasooriya WD, Weerasooriya TR. Effect of Withania somnifera root extract on the sexual behaviour of male rats. Asian Journal of Andrology [Internet]. 2002 Dec 1;4(4):295–8. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12508132/
9Mamidi P, Thakar A. Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal. Linn.) in the management of psychogenic erectile dysfunction. AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda). 2011;32(3):322.
10Raut AA, Rege NN, Tadvi FM, Solanki PV, Kene KR, Shirolkar SG, et al. Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine [Internet]. 2012;3(3):111–4. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23125505
11Wankhede S, Langade D, Joshi K, Sinha SR, Bhattacharyya S. Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition [Internet]. 2015;12(1):43. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26609282
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