Many men have to deal with diminished sexual desire in today’s era.
Because of a lack of time for oneself and also their relationships, challenging work goals, and rising stress levels, this issue has increasingly grown for millennials.
Some people have no choice but to use Viagra type of sexual medications, while others might encourage themselves to consult medical professionals and sex therapists.
Several people also believe in herbs and consuming natural substances. There is a natural herb known as Ashwagandha, renowned for improving a man’s sexual life.
Since the ancient period, people have recognized ashwagandha as a herb that could improve erectile dysfunction among men.
One of the earliest known pieces of literature on sexuality refers to the Ashwagandha plant and accumulating scientific data in today’s world supports this claim.
Ashwagandha is both practical and secure in most cases. In this article, we will be looking at all about ashwagandha and erectile dysfunction.
Does Ashwagandha Help To Improve Erectile Dysfunction?
In Ayurveda medicine, ashwagandha is said to have several advantages[1].
Some include the improved function of reproductive organs, reduced erectile dysfunction symptoms, and enhanced penile health.
Many men utilize ashwagandha herb as a less expensive alternative to traditional erectile dysfunction medications like Viagra, primarily because they cannot take Viagra for medical reasons.
Regular consumption of this herb could also improve testosterone levels naturally.
But, not to miss, it could also help with cortisol reductions, which may help in issues like erectile dysfunction brought on by low testosterone or anxiety.
However, there are no peer-reviewed studies of ashwagandha’s effect on vasculogenic erectile dysfunction, which usually accounts for most cases.
A pilot study[2] on 50 women indicated a significant improvement in sexual function and sexual distress scale.
In addition, their arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and sexual satisfaction saw a considerable improvement compared to the placebo group.
On the other hand, in a 2011 trial[3], eighty-six men having psychogenic erectile dysfunction, which is an erectile dysfunction brought on by anxiety related to sex, were given a placebo or ashwagandha for sixty days.
There was no significant difference between Ashwagandha and placebo for psychogenic erectile dysfunction.
These results may be related to the stage of the ED. The study included males with moderate to severe ED, so maybe ashwagandha could be helpful in the initial stages of ED. However, more research is warranted.
One literature review from 2018 suggests that ashwagandha might improve testosterone levels in men, based on several different studies.
Another 2010 review[4] discovered an increase in luteinizing hormone, which could help boost testosterone synthesis among ashwagandha users.
The study also discovered a significant rise in testosterone levels in both groups of seventy-five infertile and seventy-five fertile males.
However, numerous studies haven’t found any appreciable rise in testosterone by taking ashwagandha over a placebo, and some have also discovered considerable declines.
On the other hand, when it comes to treating erectile dysfunction, there are a few positive and negative studies.
Therefore, one could say that more studies are needed concerning Ashwagandha and Erectile dysfunction.
Benefits Of Ashwagandha For Erectile Dysfunction
Here are some potential benefits of the herb ashwagandha for ED (erectile dysfunction):
Balances Sex Drive
Stress is one of the most common causes of subpar sexual performance and diminishing sex drive, thus the ashwagandha herb might initially aid to lower stress levels.
Blood pressure increases along with stress levels. One of the main reasons for impotence is high blood pressure, which restricts the blood flow to all of the arteries.
As an adaptogen, ashwagandha enhances[5] our flight-or-fight responses and supports the adrenal glands.
Our adrenal glands produce cortisol, which is the reason we experience stress when faced with difficult circumstances at home or work.
In this study[6], participants who took ashwagandha KSM-66 for sixty days had a 26% decrease in cortisol levels.
They noticed that, while participating in the trial, consuming ashwagandha made them feel less stressed and anxious.Men might experience better sex performance as a result of this.
Increases Testosterone
It has been demonstrated that ashwagandha considerably increases testosterone levels.
The amount of testosterone produced by a man’s body drastically declines with age.
It is said that after the age of 35, a man’s testosterone level declines by 0.5% to 3% annually.Having trouble with erection, losing hair, and losing muscle mass are signs of this loss.
There are two ways in which ashwagandha aids in restoring[7] a healthy sexual life. First off, it promotes the synthesis of testosterone.
It restores the normal balance of male sexual hormones by luteinizing the testosterone hormone and raising serum levels of testosterone.
A study found that ashwagandha increased testosterone levels in infertile males as well.Secondly, as ashwagandha is known to lower stress by preventing the production of cortisol, it also aids in delaying the natural decline in testosterone levels.
In turn, this aids in maintaining the ideal levels of testosterone for the body’s healthy sexual function.Acts As An Aphrodisiac
Ashwagandha’s use as an aphrodisiac has been documented throughout history.
Ashwagandha is one of the most commonly found ingredients in herbal aphrodisiacs.
Nitric oxide production in a man’s body is enhanced when they begin to take ashwagandha.
as a result, blood arteries that deliver blood to the genitals become dilated, which leads to increased sexual satisfaction and desire.
Research in today’s world points to the same conclusion. Ashwagandha is often used to treat[8] libido loss as well as erectile dysfunction.Improves Endurance
Aside from different aspects directly affecting sexual health, ashwagandha has also been shown to enhance physical performance.
A study was done to see the way ashwagandha affects men. One subset of the subjects received the ashwagandha plant supplements, while another subset did not.
After the experiment, it was found that those who had taken ashwagandha pills had twice the amount of physical endurance.
This was caused as a result[9] of ashwagandha’s ability to improve the cardiovascular endurance of the participants.Rise In Sperm Production
Ashwagandha is known to increase male desire, thus it makes sense that the sperm count shall also increase. The same was demonstrated by one study.
A group of men participated in the study and received ashwagandha pills for 80 days. Another set of men received a placebo for those 80 days in the meantime.
The trial’s outcomes revealed that the men who received ashwagandha supplements had significantly increased sperm counts by 165%.
This pilot study[10] had a vital role in contemporary research that has implied that ashwagandha might be an effective male sexual stimulant.
Is Ashwagandha Safe To Use For Erectile Dysfunction?
The fact that the FDA, also known as the Food and Drug Administration, does not control manufacturers of Ayurvedic herbs is one of the potential issues with this topic.
This indicates that they are not bound to the same standards as businesses that manufacture foods and drugs.
Herbs might not contain the herb at all, or they might contain pollutants like heavy metals.
Before buying any goods, consumers should make sure to perform some research about the maker.
Some Ayurvedic items might include arsenic, mercury, and lead in concentrations that are higher than what medical professionals consider to be safe for a person’s daily intake, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health[11].
Conclusion
The herb ashwagandha is usually sold as a capsule or powder. There is no scientific proof that it could treat erectile dysfunction, despite anecdotal accounts of the contrary.
A person could try alternative treatments for erectile dysfunction, such as L-arginine or Viagra if there is no underlying problem.
Alternatively, sex therapy might be helpful if the cause of erectile dysfunction is psychological.
A patient with erectile dysfunction should talk with their doctor about any potential underlying issues. In general, ashwagandha has few side effects and is risk-free.
Before using ashwagandha herb as a supplement, you should go over the potential disadvantages and advantages with your doctor.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Narendra Singh, Mohit Bhalla, Prashanti de Jager, et al. An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011; 8(5 Suppl): 208–213.Published online 2011 Jul 3. doi: 10.4314/ajtcam.v8i5S.9
- Swati Dongre, Deepak Langade and Sauvik Bhattacharyya. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study. Biomed Res Int. 2015; 2015: 284154.
Published online 2015 Oct 4. doi: 10.1155/2015/284154 - Prasad Mamidi and A B Thakar Efficacy of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal. Linn.) in the management of psychogenic erectile dysfunction Ayu. 2011 Jul-Sep; 32(3): 322–328.doi: 10.4103/0974-8520.93907
- Pallav Sengupta, Ashok Agarwal, Maria Pogrebetskaya, et al. Role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the management of male infertilityReprod Biomed Online. 2018 Mar;36(3):311-326. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2017.11.007. Epub 2017 Dec 7. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29277366/
- Jaysing Salve, Sucheta Pate, Khokan Debnath, et al. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study Cureus. 2019 Dec; 11(12): e6466.Published online 2019 Dec 25. doi: 10.7759/cureus.6466
- K. Chandrasekhar, Jyoti Kapoor, and Sridhar Anishetty A Prospective, Randomized Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Safety and Efficacy of a High-Concentration Full-Spectrum Extract of Ashwagandha Root in Reducing Stress and Anxiety in Adults Indian J Psychol Med. 2012 Jul-Sep; 34(3): 255–262.doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.106022
- Mohammad Kaleem Ahmad, Abbas Ali Mahdi, Kamla Kant Shukla, et al. Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males Fertil Steril. 2010 Aug;94(3):989-96. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.04.046. Epub 2009 Jun 6. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19501822/
- Swati Dongre, Deepak Langade and Sauvik Bhattacharyya Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study Biomed Res Int. 2015; 2015: 284154.Published online 2015 Oct 4. doi: 10.1155/2015/284154
- Shweta Shenoy, Udesh Chaskar, Jaspal S. Sandhu, et al. Effects of eight-week supplementation of Ashwagandha on cardiorespiratory endurance in elite Indian cyclists J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 209–214.doi: 10.4103/0975-9476.104444
- Vijay R. Ambiye, Deepak Langade, Swati Dongre, et al. Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013; 2013: 571420.Published online 2013 Nov 28. doi: 10.1155/2013/571420
- Ayurvedic Medicine: In Depth Last Updated: January 2019 Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurvedic-medicine-in-depth
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Louise Rodriguez is a full-time health and fitness writer. She considers herself a gym rat and takes pride in showing her biceps. She dedicates most of her time to her health. With the time left, she spreads information regarding health and fitness among the masses. Harry Potter is her first love.