Ashwagandha's Effect on Testosterone Levels
Ashwagandha supplementation can increase testosterone levels in men, particularly in those with low baseline testosterone or experiencing high stress, with recent studies showing increases of approximately 14-15% compared to placebo. 1, 2, 3
Evidence for Testosterone Effects
Clinical Research Findings
In a 16-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of overweight men aged 40-70 years, ashwagandha extract (delivering 21 mg of withanolide glycosides daily) was associated with a 14.7% greater increase in testosterone compared to placebo (p=0.010) 1
A 2023 study found that men taking ashwagandha (200 mg of Witholytin® twice daily) experienced a significant increase in free testosterone (p=0.048) and luteinizing hormone (p=0.002) compared to the placebo group 2
A 2022 study examining sexual performance showed that ashwagandha root extract (300 mg twice daily) was associated with a statistically significant increase in serum testosterone levels compared to placebo 3
Another study demonstrated that testosterone levels increased in males (p=0.038) but not females (p=0.989) taking ashwagandha extract, although this change was not statistically significant compared to placebo (p=0.158) 4
Mechanism of Action
Ashwagandha appears to influence testosterone levels through:
- Potential modulation of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis 4
- Possible effects on luteinizing hormone levels, which was shown to increase significantly in men taking ashwagandha 2
- Stress reduction properties, as chronic stress can suppress testosterone production
Clinical Context and Considerations
Comparison to Standard Testosterone Therapy
While ashwagandha shows modest effects on testosterone, it's important to distinguish this from medical testosterone replacement therapy:
Medical testosterone therapy is indicated for diagnosed testosterone deficiency, which requires proper diagnostic workup including measurement of total testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and potentially other hormones 5
Testosterone replacement therapy has more significant effects but also carries risks including polycythemia, cardiovascular events, and potential effects on prostate health 5
Monitoring Considerations
If using ashwagandha for potential testosterone effects:
- The effects are likely to be modest compared to pharmaceutical testosterone replacement
- No standardized monitoring protocols exist specifically for ashwagandha's hormonal effects
- Those with concerns about low testosterone should undergo proper medical evaluation rather than self-treating with supplements
Safety Profile
- Ashwagandha appears to have a favorable safety profile in the studies reviewed, with no serious adverse events reported 1, 2, 3, 4
- Unlike pharmaceutical testosterone which requires careful monitoring for polycythemia, prostate changes, and cardiovascular effects 5
Practical Implications
For men considering ashwagandha for testosterone support:
- Most effective dosages in studies ranged from 300-600 mg daily of standardized extracts
- Effects may be more pronounced in men with lower baseline testosterone levels or those experiencing stress
- Benefits may take several weeks to manifest (studies typically ran 8-12 weeks)
- Ashwagandha should not replace proper medical evaluation for symptoms of testosterone deficiency
Limitations and Caveats
- Most studies have relatively small sample sizes
- Long-term effects of ashwagandha on testosterone remain understudied
- Standardization of ashwagandha extracts varies between products
- Effects appear modest compared to pharmaceutical testosterone replacement
For men with clinical hypogonadism, proper medical evaluation and treatment according to established guidelines remains essential, as ashwagandha's effects may not be sufficient to address significant testosterone deficiency.