Taking ashwagandha extract led to a 18% increase in DHEA-S (a precursor to testosterone) and a 14.7% increase in testosterone compared to a placebo. In men with low sperm counts, ashwagandha root extract increased sperm count by 167%, semen volume by 53%, and sperm movement by 57%. Also, in men with normal sperm counts experiencing stress-related infertility, ashwagandha helped reduce stress and improve semen quality, leading to successful pregnancies in 14% of their partners.
References
Lopresti, A. L., Drummond, P. D., & Smith, S. J.. 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 . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30854916/
Mahdi, A. A., Shukla, K. K., Ahmad, M. K., Rajender, S., Shankhwar, S. N., Singh, V., & Dalela, D.. Withania somnifera Improves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility.. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine: eCAM . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19789214/
Ziegenfuss, T. N., Kedia, A. W., Sandrock, J. E., Raub, B.J., Kerksick, C. M., & Lopez, H. L.. Effects of an Aqueous Extract of Withania somnifera on Strength Training Adaptations and Recovery: The STAR Trial.. Nutrients . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30463324/
