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Exploring Ashwagandha's Impact on Libido and Sexual Health for Men and Women

This discussion delves into how ashwagandha can positively affect libido and sexual health, addressing both its benefits and the potential calming effects that may impact sexual desire differently for some individuals.

  • Does ashwagandha affect libid?

  • Ashwagandha has been shown to have positive effects on libido and overall sexual health. Several studies have documented its efficacy in this area:

    1. In Men: Research has demonstrated that ashwagandha can significantly improve various parameters of sexual health in men. A study noted that supplementation with ashwagandha root extract resulted in increased sperm count, improved sperm motility, enhanced semen volume, and elevated levels of testosterone, all of which contribute to better sexual performance and libido12. Another study highlighted an improvement in the quality of life and sexual function in men with low sexual desire3.

    2. In Women: Ashwagandha has also been found to enhance sexual health in women. Clinical trials indicate that ashwagandha root extract can significantly improve sexual arousal, lubrication, orgasm, and overall sexual satisfaction. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) scores were noted to be higher for women taking ashwagandha compared to those on a placebo456.

    Overall, the available evidence supports the beneficial role of ashwagandha in enhancing sexual health and libido in both men and women.

    Footnotes

    1. Paulina Mikulska, "Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩

    2. Sanjaya Chauhan, "Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well-being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial," PubMed Central, 2022. ↩

    3. Examine.com, "Ashwagandha, sexual health, and testosterone," Examine, 2022. ↩

    4. Ashutosh Ajgaonkar, "Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract for Improvement of Sexual Health in Healthy Women: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study," PubMed Central, 2022. ↩

    5. Swati Dongre, "Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study," PubMed Central, 2015. ↩

    6. Ashutosh Ajgaonkar, "Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract for Improvement of Sexual Health in Healthy Women: A Prospective, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study," PubMed Central, 2022. ↩

  • Doesn't it make you too calm? I mean I used it for a while and i think that it can affect libido but in the negative way by making you too calm and stoic

  • Ashwagandha is classified as an adaptogen, meaning it helps the body manage stress and has calming effects. It works by modulating the body's stress response, primarily through its impact on cortisol levels and other pathways involved in the stress response system1.

    While ashwagandha is commonly reported to enhance libido and sexual health, the calming and anti-anxiety effects you mentioned could potentially contribute to a reduction in sexual desire or performance for some individuals. This phenomenon might occur because:

    1. Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Ashwagandha lowers cortisol levels and can help alleviate anxiety12. For some people, reduced anxiety might lead to a calmer state that could be perceived as a reduction in libido.

    2. Individual Variation: The effects of ashwagandha can vary significantly between individuals. While many find that it boosts their energy and sexual health, others might experience the opposite due to personal differences in biology and stress response3.

    3. Chronic Stress Cancellation: If someone is used to a high level of stress as a motivator or arousal factor, reducing stress could initially feel like a dampening effect on libido until the body adapts to the new, lower-stress state4.

    To manage these effects:

    • Dosage Adjustments: Sometimes, adjusting the dosage can find a better balance between the calming effects and maintaining libido.
    • Timing of Intake: Taking ashwagandha at different times of the day could also help manage its calming effects.

    If you are experiencing negative effects on your libido from ashwagandha, it may be worth consulting with a healthcare provider to adjust your regimen or explore alternative supplements that support sexual health without the calming effects.

    Footnotes

    1. Paulina Mikulska, "Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)—Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review," PubMed Central, 2024. ↩ ↩2

    2. Examine.com, "Ashwagandha, sexual health, and testosterone," Examine, 2022. ↩

    3. Sanjaya Chauhan, "Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on well-being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial," PubMed Central, 2022. ↩

    4. Swati Dongre, "Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Improving Sexual Function in Women: A Pilot Study," PubMed Central, 2015. ↩

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