MALE INFERTILITY – Withania Improves Sperm Count
Withania somnifera, is a herbal medicine, also known as ashwagandha, it has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to promote physical and mental wellbeing. It has a rejuvenating action which influences and supports the nervous system and the adrenal system, and is commonly used by naturopaths and herbalists for issues of fatigue, based on empirical evidence. But scientific evidence is proving that withania is a herb of many talents and should seriously be considered in infertility, related to sperm count and motility issues, just to name a few.
Science Is Singing Withania’s Praises!
- Withania inhibited lipid peroxidation (oxidative stress), improved sperm count and motility.
- Stress is a causative factor for male infertility! Withania was given to infertile men who where normozoospermic, in powder form at 5gms per day for 3 months, various stress parameters where measured before and after treatment, which showed improvements in the level of antioxidants, improvements in overall semen quality in a significant number of males. Treatment resulted in pregnancy in the partners of 14% of patients.
- Withania improves semen quality by reducing oxidative stress and cell death and improving essential metal ion concentrations.
- And yet another study performed on forty-six male patients with oligospermia (low sperm count) where given 675mg in three doses for 3 months, showed a 167% increase in sperm count, 53% increase in semen volume, 57% increase in sperm motility. Other improvements where seen in hormone levels too.
Conclusion
Other herbs, nutritionals, lifestyle factors to consider in terms of sperm optimisation, may include , the herbs tribulus, damiana and panax ginseng. Pomegrante, folate, coq10, zinc, selenium are worth considering if sperm health is the aim. Sperm health can be negatively effected with alcohol intake and obesity.
When it comes to infertility natural medicines win the prize, from improving detoxification, providing stress management techniques, to rectifying methylation issues, hormonal issues, digestive disturbances, nutritional deficiencies, addressing toxic load, or sleep issues – these are all important, not just to conceive but to be able to better support pregnancy outcomes and manage parenthood!
References
Fertstern-Withania somnifera improves semen quality
Hindawi-Withania somnifera Improves Semen in males
Rbmo-improving essential metal concentrations
Hindawi-treat male sexual dysfunction and infertility.
NCBI-Withania treats sexual dysfunction and infertility in males
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