Sexual health is a multifaceted topic. There is never just one symptom or pathway to address for individuals experiencing sexual health issues. Sexual desire (libido) and the ability to obtain and sustain an erection (erectile function) are both essential components of healthy male sexual function. Globally, male infertility accounts for ~50% of infertility among couples trying to conceive, with oligospermia (low sperm count) recognized as the single most prevalent cause. [1,2]
Plummeting libido is a growing problem globally and the causes for low libido can be either physical (lack of blood flow to vital organs, itself with numerous causes), psychological (low-grade depression, anxiety, or fear of intimacy), or even physiological (underlying disorder).
Over the past few years, there has been an increase in the use of sexual enhancement supplements. The global sexual enhancement supplements market is predicted to reach US$ 257.7 million in 2023 and to expected to be worth US$ 741.6 million by 2033. The growth of this market is likely to record a 7.4% CAGR [3].
KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract for Men’s Sexual Health, Fertility and Testosterone
Ashwagandha is a plant whose roots have been used for ~8,000 years to promote strength, stamina and sexual health, ashwagandha is both a tonic and aphrodisiac. It contains a wide variety of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, sterols, amino acids and neurotransmitters, which explains its ability to improve human health both directly and indirectly.
Ashwagandha root extract has been shown to improve sexual desire, libido, and testosterone levels in men -- all of which speak to the multi-factorial benefits the Ayurvedic wonder herb offers men. Additional insights into how KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract supports men’s sexual health and fertility can be found in a landmark 2013 study appearing in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. [4].
46 men (ages 22-40 years old) with low sperm count took part in a 12-week, dual-arm, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study to investigate the effects of 225mg of KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract 3x/day for 12 weeks, for a total daily intake of 625mg, on several markers of male sexual health and fertility. [4] At the end of the study, it was found that KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract supplementation increased testosterone levels by 17%, semen volume by 53%, sperm concentration by 167%, luteinizing hormone by 34%, and sperm motility by 57%.
Another recently published study in Health Science Reports examined the effects of KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract on sexual wellness and testosterone levels in healthy men in 50 participants over 8 weeks. At the end of the study, the results demonstrated an improvement in the Derogatis Interview for Sexual Functioning in Male (DISF-M) questionnaire scores with a 3.6% increase in sexual fantasy domain score, 14.3% increase in arousal domain score and 11.35% increase in sex drive domain scores respectively. KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract supplementation also resulted in a 16.7% increase in serum testosterone levels [5].
Stress is well-known to adversely affect men’s sexual health, and chronically elevated stress levels are associated with increased oxidative stress that may enhance the generation of reactive oxygen species. An increase in stress can negatively affect sperm quality and motility. An elevation in cortisol levels over a period of time can cause sleep disturbances and reduce testosterone levels which thereby adversely affect men’s sexual health.
As a powerful adaptogen, Ashwagandha root extract also fortifies male sexual health indirectly, via enhancing testosterone production and significantly mitigating stress response. Via multiple studies, KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract also has been shown to effectively reduce stress and cortisol levels, providing other avenues by which it contributes to the significant improvement in testosterone levels (free and total testosterone) and men’s sexual health. [6,7,8]
Takeaway
Global fertility rates have been declining over the past 50 years and multiple factors are at play, including male infertility. Backed by numerous clinical trials (with more in the works), KSM-66 Ashwagandha root extract offers a safe, natural, and effective means for men both young and old to support sexual health, fertility and testosterone levels.
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References
- Gaunay, G.S., Cohen, S.D., Stahl, P.J., Stember, D.S. (2014). Hypogonadism and Infertility. In: Mulhall, J., Hsiao, W. (eds) Men's Sexual Health and Fertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0425-9_10
- Moyad, M.A. (2014). Nutraceuticals for Fertility and Erectile Health: A Brief Overview of What Works and What Is Worthless. In: Mulhall, J., Hsiao, W. (eds) Men's Sexual Health and Fertility. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0425-9_12
- M. K. Ahmad, A. A. Mahdi, K. K. Shukla et al., “Withania somnifera improves semen quality by regulating reproductive hormone levels and oxidative stress in seminal plasma of infertile males,” Fertility and Sterility, vol. 94, no. 3, pp. 989–996, 2010.
- A. A. Mahdi, K. K. Shukla, M. K. Ahmad et al., “Withania somnifera improves semen quality in stress-related male fertility,” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 2011, Article ID 576962, 9 pages, 2011
- Ambiye, V. R., Langade, D., Dongre, S., Aptikar, P., Kulkarni, M., & Dongre, A. (2013). Clinical evaluation of the spermatogenic activity of the root extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in oligospermic males: A pilot study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 6–11. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/571420
- Wankhede, S., Langade, D., Joshi, K., Sinha, S. R., & Bhattacharyya, S. (2015). Examining the effect of Withania somnifera supplementation on muscle strength and recovery: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 12(1), 43.
- Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). 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 journal of psychological medicine, 34(3), 255.
