Ashwagandha for Male Infertility
Verdict: Published with Warning
Across 5 PubMed studies, the evidence for Ashwagandha in Male Infertility grades Tier B — preliminary evidence. Effective, but with safety or population caveats.
B 🟡 B Preliminary Evidence Published with Warning
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
⚖️
Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.60
D
C
B
A
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← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
B · Published with Warning
Confidence
85%
Highly consistent evidence
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.596
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (2 篇 > 1 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 0 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (5)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in male infertility: An evidence-based systematic review and meta-analysis
Finding: Pooled observational data showed significant improvement in sperm concentration (MD 13.57 million/mL, 95% CI 11.12-16.01, p<0.00001), sperm motility (MD 8.50%, 95% CI 7.36-9.63, p<0.00001) and semen volume (MD 0.28 mL, 95% CI 0.12-0.43, p=0.0004), with a 14% pregnancy rate in normozoospermic men, but the authors state the evidence is 'too limited' to be robust.
View on PubMed Comparative evaluation of W. somnifera with pentoxifylline on sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility: A triple-blind RCT
Finding: W. somnifera (5 g/day, 90 days) improved sperm count (+12.5%, p=0.04), progressive motility (+21.42%, p=0.001) and morphology (+25.56%, p<0.001) vs its own baseline, but showed NO significant difference vs the active comparator pentoxifylline on any parameter (count p=0.09, motility p=0.77, morphology p=0.12), and there was no placebo arm.
View on PubMed Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study
Finding: Double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot (KSM-66 675 mg/day, 90 days) showed large within-group gains: sperm count +167% (9.59 to 25.61 x10^6/mL, p<0.0001), semen volume +53% (p<0.0001) and motility +57% (p<0.0001) with greater improvement than placebo, but it is a small single pilot and the extract was supplied by the KSM-66 manufacturer (industry conflict of interest).
View on PubMed Effects of Ashwagandha on Reproductive Health: A Systematic Review of Sex-Specific Hormonal and Fertility Outcomes
Finding: PRISMA narrative review of preclinical and clinical studies concluding ashwagandha is a 'promising natural adjunct' that may improve sperm count/quality via antioxidant mechanisms, but explicitly states more study is needed on long-term effects and dosing; no effect size reported and animal data are mixed in.
View on PubMed Effects of Withania somnifera on Reproductive System: A Systematic Review of the Available Evidence
Finding: Concludes WS enhances spermatogenesis and sperm-related indices in infertile men (improved semen quality, reduced seminal oxidative stress), but flags that SOME ANIMAL studies report reversible spermicidal/infertilizing effects, so extract preparation and dose need clarification; no human effect size reported.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
WITHANIA SOMNIFERA ROOT source↗
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
南非醉茄萃取物 source↗
L4e WHO
Neutral
WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
ashwagandha extracts may lower stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels source↗
L5b Mayo Clinic
Cautious
There's no evidence in the medical literature that supports herbs or supplements as a treatment for infertility. The research on so-called fertility herbs and supplements is inconclusive and based on a few small studies. source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Cautious
There is some limited evidence that suggests that taking ashwagandha for 2 to 4 months may increase testosterone levels and sperm quality. source↗
L5e Specialty Society (condition-mapped)
Cautious
Clinicians should counsel patients that the benefits of supplements (e.g., antioxidants, vitamins) are of questionable clinical utility in treating male infertility. There are no clear, reliable data to support use of the variety of supplements (vitamins, antioxidants, nutritional supplement formulations) that have been offered to men attempting conception. source↗