Remedies › Ashwagandha › Testosterone and male fertility · All remedies for testosterone and male fertility
Ashwagandha and testosterone and male fertility: what the evidence says
Based on the evidence, ashwagandha raises testosterone modestly in men, about 57 ng/dL in pooled trials, but two placebo trials found no difference and no placebo trial we read reported pregnancies.
4/5 ModerateAt least one well-run randomized trial in people on this outcome, with a positive result. How we score
Two 2026 meta-analyses agree on a modest rise: 23 placebo-controlled trials found testosterone 57 ng/dL higher in men (no change in women), and 20 trials found a small standardized effect (SMD 0.33). For scale, the normal adult male range spans several hundred ng/dL.
The result is not universal. In trials where testosterone was a side measure, two found no difference from placebo (a 2019 stress trial and a 2026 sustained-release trial), while others found rises of about 15-33%. An independent 2024 review of marketed 'testosterone boosters' rated ashwagandha only 'possibly effective' in healthy men.
For male fertility the evidence is thinner. One small placebo trial in 46 men with low sperm counts found sperm count up 167% from baseline, and two 2025-2026 trials in healthy men found better semen measures. The rest are before-and-after studies without a placebo group, and the only head-to-head trial found ashwagandha no better than the drug pentoxifylline. None of the placebo-controlled trials we read reported pregnancy or birth rates, the outcomes that matter.
Men being treated for infertility or low testosterone should not swap prescribed treatment for it. Ashwagandha also changes thyroid and cortisol levels, so blood tests may read differently while taking it.
We screened all 86 records PubMed returned and read 34 abstracts in full (25 tagged as human studies plus 9 trials PubMed had not labelled), keeping 21.
- Meta-analyses of trialspooled randomized trials4
- Human studiestrials and population studies15
- Case reportssingle people1
- Animal studiesmostly rodents16
- Lab studiescells, test tubes18
The studies in people, read one by one
| Result | Type | What they did | What they found |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positive | Systematic review / meta-analysis, 2026 1,706 people | Meta-analysis of 23 placebo-controlled randomized trials of oral ashwagandha (PROSPERO-registered) Measured: Hormone levels incl. testosterone, cortisol, thyroid | Testosterone rose by 57.43 ng/dL in men but not in women (5.09 ng/dL); cortisol fell (SMD -1.18); T4 rose slightly (0.61 ug/dL); estradiol unchanged. PubMed 41740946 |
| Positive | Systematic review / meta-analysis, 2026 1,249 people | Meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials in adults (GRADE assessed) Measured: Testosterone, strength, cognition, weight | Testosterone rose (SMD 0.33, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.54; I2 20.8%); no effect on body weight or body fat. PubMed 42199854 |
| Positive | Systematic review / meta-analysis, 2021 | Systematic review of 32 randomized trials of 13 single herbs on testosterone in men (PROSPERO-registered) Measured: Testosterone | Ashwagandha root and root/leaf extracts were one of two herbs with positive effects; only 6 of the 32 trials had low risk of bias and most were in men under 40. PubMed 33150931 |
| Positive | Systematic review / meta-analysis, 2024 | Systematic review of 52 studies of 27 marketed 'testosterone boosters' Measured: Total testosterone against placebo | Most boosters failed; ashwagandha was rated only 'possibly effective' for healthy men, based on 3 studies. PubMed 37697053 |
| Positive | Systematic review / meta-analysis, 2018 | Systematic review and meta-analysis of 4 trials (one randomized) in infertile men Measured: Semen quality, hormones, pregnancy | Pooled before-and-after data: sperm concentration +13.57 million/mL, motility +8.50%; 14% pregnancy rate in one group; the authors call the data too limited to be robust. PubMed 30466985 |
| Positive | Randomized trial, 2015 57 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 300 mg root extract twice daily for 8 weeks with resistance training, young men, India Measured: Strength (primary), testosterone | Testosterone rose 96.2 ng/dL against 18.0 on placebo (P = 0.004). PubMed 26609282 |
| Positive | Randomized trial, 2013 46 people | Placebo-controlled pilot trial, 675 mg/day full-spectrum root extract for 90 days, men with low sperm counts, India Measured: Sperm count, volume, motility, hormones | Sperm count rose 167% (9.59 to 25.61 million/mL), semen volume 53% and motility 57% from baseline; the abstract calls placebo changes minimal without giving them. PubMed 24371462 |
| No effect | Randomized trial, 2018 100 people | Triple-blind trial: 5 g/day root powder vs the drug pentoxifylline for 90 days, idiopathic male infertility, Iran Measured: Sperm count, motility, morphology | Both groups improved from baseline, with no significant difference between ashwagandha and the drug (count P = .09, motility P = .77). PubMed 29770466 |
| Mixed | Randomized trial, 2019 57 people | Placebo-controlled crossover trial, Shoden (21 mg withanolide glycosides/day) for 8 weeks, overweight men aged 40-70 with mild fatigue, Australia Measured: Fatigue, sexual wellbeing, salivary testosterone | Testosterone rose 14.7% more than on placebo (P = .010) and DHEA-S 18% more, but fatigue, vigour and sexual wellbeing did not differ from placebo. PubMed 30854916 |
| No effect | Randomized trial, 2019 60 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 240 mg Shoden daily for 60 days, stressed adults (registered in India) Measured: Testosterone (secondary) | Testosterone rose in men over time (P = .038), but the change was not significantly different from placebo (P = .158). PubMed 31517876 |
| Positive | Randomized trial, 2023 | Placebo-controlled trial, 200 mg Witholytin twice daily for 12 weeks, overweight adults aged 40-75, Australia Measured: Free testosterone, LH (secondary) | In men, free testosterone (P = 0.048) and luteinizing hormone (P = 0.002) rose more than on placebo. PubMed 37740662 |
| Positive | Randomized trial, 2022 50 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 300 mg root extract twice daily for 8 weeks, men with low sexual desire, India Measured: Sexual function score, serum testosterone | Sexual function score and serum testosterone rose significantly more than on placebo (both P < 0.0001); prolactin unchanged. PubMed 35873404 |
| Positive | Randomized trial, 2025 100 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 300 mg root extract twice daily for 8 weeks, healthy men aged 30-50, India Measured: Sexual function, semen parameters | Semen volume (P = 0.005), sperm number (P = 0.006), concentration (P = 0.007) and morphology improved more than on placebo; no side effects reported. PubMed 40582043 |
| Positive | Randomized trial, 2024 60 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 60 or 120 mg Shoden for 60 days, adults with generalized anxiety disorder, India Measured: Testosterone (secondary) | Testosterone rose 22% and 33% in men on the two doses against 4% on placebo (P < 0.0001). PubMed 39286132 |
| No effect | Clinical trial, 2026 84 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 300 mg sustained-release extract for 90 days, recreationally active adults, India (authors from maker Nutriventia) Measured: Strength, VO2max, testosterone | Testosterone rose 121.43 ng/dL within the ashwagandha group in men, but the change was similar to placebo (P > 0.05). PubMed 42780946 |
| Positive | Clinical trial, 2026 76 people | Placebo-controlled trial, 300 mg root extract twice daily for 8 weeks, healthy men aged 30-50, India Measured: Sexual function, semen | Sexual function scores improved more than on placebo (P <= 0.001); ejaculate volume rose 36%, total sperm count 38% and motility 87%. PubMed 41766918 |
| Positive | Population study, 2010 75 people | Before-and-after study of root powder for 3 months in 75 infertile men, compared with 75 fertile men, India Measured: Semen quality, hormones | Sperm count and motility improved; testosterone and LH rose and FSH and prolactin fell after treatment. PubMed 19501822 |
| Positive | Population study, 2011 60 people | Before-and-after study, 5 g/day root powder for 3 months in 60 infertile men with normal sperm counts, India Measured: Semen quality, stress, pregnancy | Semen quality and stress markers improved in a significant number of men; partners of 14% became pregnant (no untreated comparison group). PubMed 19789214 |
| Positive | Clinical trial, 2013 180 people | Uncontrolled trial, 5 g/day root powder for 3 months in 180 infertile men, compared with 50 healthy men, India Measured: Seminal metabolites, sperm, hormones | Seminal plasma metabolites, sperm concentration, motility and hormones moved toward normal after treatment. PubMed 23796876 |
| Positive | Population study, 2026 191 people | 12-month observational safety study of a standardized root extract in adults, India Measured: Safety; testosterone (secondary) | Free and total testosterone rose (P < 0.05) over 12 months, with no comparison group. PubMed 41063394 |
| Negative | Case report, 2012 1 people | Case report: 28-year-old man taking 5 g/day for low libido, India Measured: Skin reaction | A fixed drug eruption on the penis recurred within 12 hours of a 1 g test dose, confirming the cause. PubMed 22324179 |
Where the sources agree, and where they don’t
2 of 5 kinds of source point toward a benefit, 0 toward no effect or harm, 2 are mixed, and 1 has no data yet. Agreement between independent kinds of evidence matters more than the number of papers in any one of them.
| Kind of source | Points to | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Meta-analyses of trials | Positive | about 57 ng/dL higher in men |
| Trials measuring it on the side | Mixed | some rises, 2 no different from placebo |
| Sperm studies | Positive | mostly uncontrolled; equal to pentoxifylline |
| Pregnancy or birth outcomes | No data | no placebo trial reported them |
| Public reports | Mixed | 1 mixed, 1 worse |
Beyond Google: 12 findings about Ashwagandha from trial registries, FDA reports and patent offices that a normal search rarely shows. See them
What people report
We read public first-person posts and counted every outcome, good or bad. 2 reports about this condition, read on 2026-10-28; 2 mention side effects.
- 0Helped
- 0No effect
- 1Got worse
- 1Mixed
- 0Too early
Why these counts prove nothing on their own: people who post are not a random sample, most take other treatments at the same time, and nobody checks the diagnosis. We show them because they tell researchers what to test next.
Read all 2 reports
- Mixed More sex drive and better erections, but also more acne. Side effects: acne. LongeCity forum, 2014-02-13 (No hormone test; the poster reads the acne as a sign of higher testosterone.)
- Worse A testosterone booster containing Sensoril left them dull, unmotivated and emotionally flat. Side effects: dullness, low motivation, emotional flatness. LongeCity forum, 2011-09-02 (Multi-ingredient product; the poster suspects the ashwagandha part.)
Every other paper we found
PubMed returned 86 papers for this search on 2026-10-28. We read the human studies above ourselves. The rest are sorted by type automatically from PubMed's labels, which are sometimes wrong.
Animal studies 16
- Protective effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) against chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced testicular damage in adolescent rats. J Mol Histol, 2026
- Amelioration and Immuno-modulation by Ashwagandha on Wi-fi Induced Oxidative Stress in Regulating Reproduction Via Estrogen Receptor Alpha in Male Japanese Quail. Reprod Sci, 2025
- Protective effects of Withania somnifera against cyclophosphamide-induced testicular damage in rats. Clin Exp Reprod Med, 2024
- Dietary restriction-induced alterations on estrogen receptor alpha expression in regulating fertility in male Coturnix coturnix japonica: Relevance of Withania somnifera in modulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in testis. Am J Reprod Immunol, 2024
- SP-Max-A herbomineral formulation attenuates busulfan-induced oligospermia in mice by preventing loss of reproductive hormones. Reprod Toxicol, 2024
- Withania somnifera ameliorates sexual arousal and impotence in stressed sexually sluggish male rats by modulating neurotransmitters and NO/cGMP/PDE5α pathway. J Ethnopharmacol, 2024
- Effectiveness of Withania frutescens root extract on testicular damage induced by lead acetate in adult albino rats. Reprod Toxicol, 2023
- Can Traditional Treatment Such as Ashwagandha Be Beneficial in Treating Depression? Altern Ther Health Med, 2023
- Photoperiod dependent expression of estrogen receptor alpha in testes of Japanese quail: Involvement of Withania somnifera in apoptosis amelioration. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2021
- MAT, a Novel Polyherbal Aphrodisiac Formulation, Enhances Sexual Function and Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway While Reducing Oxidative Damage in Male Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2018
- Effect of combination of Withania somnifera Dunal and Tribulus terrestris Linn on letrozole induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats. Integr Med Res, 2016
- Comparative evaluation of the sexual functions and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts in male rats. BMC Complement Altern Med, 2016
- Effect of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal on Sex Hormone and Gonadotropin Levels in Addicted Male Rats. Int J Fertil Steril, 2016
- Phytoremedial effect of Withania somnifera against arsenic-induced testicular toxicity in Charles Foster rats. Avicenna J Phytomed, 2015
- Effect of Withania somnifera root extract on the sexual behaviour of male rats. Asian J Androl, 2002
- The effect of aqueous extracts of Cynomorium coccineum and Withania somnifera on testicular development in immature Wistar rats. J Ethnopharmacol, 2001
Lab studies 18
- Dairy Cattle Feed Upcycling, Adaptogenic Nutraceuticals and Precision Reproduction: Advanced CASA Sperm Kinematic Profiling and Sexual Drive in Rams. Vet Sci, 2026
- Nutraceutical Supplementation + Holstein Feed Surplus in Rams: Corporal, Metabolic, and Testicular Volumetry-Sperm Variables; The Robin Hood Effect. Vet Sci, 2026
- Effects of Ashwagandha-derived silver nanoparticles on pre- and post-thaw semen quality in bulls. Front Vet Sci, 2025
- Circular Economy, Dairy Cow Feed Leftovers, and Withania somnifera Supplementation: Effects on Black Belly Ram's Libido, Sperm Quality, Sexual Behavior, and Hemogram Values. Biology (Basel), 2024
- Various investigations of ameliorative role of Ashwagandha seeds (Withania somnifera) against amoxicillin toxicity. Toxicol Res (Camb), 2024
- Anti-COVID-19 Potential of Withaferin-A and Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester. Curr Top Med Chem, 2024
- Estimation of scopoletin from a polyherbal formulation composition using HPLC coupled with fluorescence detector through the concept of Design of Experiment. Luminescence, 2023
- Insights into the potential of withanolides as Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4D) inhibitors. J Biomol Struct Dyn, 2023
- Botanicals in health and disease of the testis and male fertility: A scoping review. Phytomedicine, 2022
- Nonpharmacological Interventions for the Management of Testosterone and Sperm Parameters: A Scoping Review. Clin Ther, 2022
- Withania somnifera Chemical Constituents' In Vitro Antioxidant Potential and Their Response on Spermatozoa Parameters. Dose Response, 2022
- Withania somnifera targets interleukin-8 and cyclooxygenase-2 in human prostate cancer progression. Prostate Int, 2017
- WSA206, a paralog of duplicated MPF2-like MADS-box family is recruited in fertility function in Withania. Plant Sci, 2016
- Withaferin A Induces Cell Death Selectively in Androgen-Independent Prostate Cancer Cells but Not in Normal Fibroblast Cells. PLoS One, 2015
- WsMAGO2, a duplicated MAGO NASHI protein with fertility attributes interacts with MPF2-like MADS-box proteins. Planta, 2015
- Effect of botanical immunomodulators on human CYP3A4 inhibition: implications for concurrent use as adjuvants in cancer therapy. Integr Cancer Ther, 2014
- Par-4-dependent apoptosis by the dietary compound withaferin A in prostate cancer cells. Cancer Res, 2007
- Current status of plant products reported to inhibit sperm. Res Front Fertil Regul, 1982
Reviews 19
- Analysis of androgen modulation by natural products. Pharmacol Res, 2026
- Biochemical modulators of synaptic plasticity: New horizons in Alzheimer's disease treatment. J Alzheimers Dis, 2026
- Back to the Roots: Safety and Tolerability of Standardised Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Healthy Adults-A Systematic Review of Biomarkers and Adverse Events. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 2026
- Withania somnifera in Women's Hormonal Modulation: A Narrative Review With Implications for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Premenstrual Syndrome. Cureus, 2026
- Integrative Natural Approaches for Age-Related Testosterone Decline: A Synergistic Framework Combining Exercise, Nutrition, and Bioactive Compounds. Cureus, 2026
- Evaluation of Potential Hormonal Activities of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Phytother Res, 2026
- Herbal Remedies for Hair Loss: A Review of Efficacy and Safety. Skin Appendage Disord, 2025
- The Role of Ayurveda in Prostate Cancer Management. Integr Cancer Ther, 2025
- Adaptogens in Long-Lasting Brain Fatigue: An Insight from Systems Biology and Network Pharmacology. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 2025
- Withania somnifera and Trigonella foenum-graecum as ingredients of testosterone-boosting supplements: Possible clinical implications. Adv Clin Exp Med, 2025
- Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal - Modern perspectives of an ancient Rasayana from Ayurveda. J Ethnopharmacol, 2021
- Withania somnifera L.: Insights into the phytochemical profile, therapeutic potential, clinical trials, and future prospective. Iran J Basic Med Sci, 2020
- Pharmacology of Herbal Sexual Enhancers: A Review of Psychiatric and Neurological Adverse Effects. Pharmaceuticals (Basel), 2020
- Beyond tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.): The effects of phytotherapics on testosterone, sperm and prostate parameters. J Ethnopharmacol, 2019
- Role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the management of male infertility. Reprod Biomed Online, 2018
- An evidence-based approach to medicinal plants for the treatment of sperm abnormalities in traditional Persian medicine. Andrologia, 2016
- Treating sarcopenia in clinical practice: where are we now? Acta Clin Belg, 2016
- Recent studies on aphrodisiac herbs for the management of male sexual dysfunction--a review. Acta Pol Pharm, 2011
- Withania somnifera improves semen quality by combating oxidative stress and cell death and improving essential metal concentrations. Reprod Biomed Online, 2011
Other papers, not yet read by us 12
- Safety and Tolerability of Withania somnifera Root Extract in Healthy Male Participants: A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Food Sci Nutr, 2026
- Effects of Ashwagandha on Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review of Sex-Specific Hormonal and Fertility Outcomes. Phytother Res, 2026
- Efficacy and Safety of Polyherbal Formulation in Low Sperm Count Participants: A Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled, Interventional Study. Cureus, 2025
- A systematic literature review of natural products for male sexual dysfunction. Urologia, 2024
- Supplements Are Not a Synonym for Safe: Suspected Liver Injury From Ashwagandha. Fed Pract, 2023
- Herbal Medicines for Idiopathic Male Infertility: A Systematic Review. Curr Drug Discov Technol, 2022
- The most important medicinal plants affecting sperm and testosterone production: a systematic review. JBRA Assist Reprod, 2022
- Effect of an ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) root extract on climacteric symptoms in women during perimenopause: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2021
- Safety and clinical effectiveness of Withania Somnifera (Linn.) Dunal root in human ailments. J Ethnopharmacol, 2020
- Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence. Biomed Res Int, 2018
- Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers. J Ayurveda Integr Med, 2012
- Ashwagandha root in the treatment of non-classical adrenal hyperplasia. BMJ Case Rep, 2012
Other conditions Ashwagandha has been studied for
- Ashwagandha and stress and anxiety 4/5 Moderate
- Ashwagandha and sleep and insomnia 4/5 Moderate
Checked against PubMed on 2026-10-28. Everything we know about Ashwagandha