Tribulus and Increased Testosterone Level

Research synthesisModerate evidenceSmall effect4 studies · 4 beneficial · 0 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 4 studies, all reported beneficial effects of Tribulus on testosterone levels, with predominantly small effect sizes. Effects were observed in clinical populations (e.g., men with hypogonadism, premenopausal women with sexual dysfunction) and healthy athletes, with median study duration of 66 days. The most-studied dose range was 400–770 mg/day for 1–3 months.

Effective dose range: 400 to 770 mg/day
Studied populations: clinical populations (men with hypogonadism, men and women with sexual dysfunction) and healthy CrossFit-trained males

Caveats: Available evidence is overwhelmingly positive — clinical literature in this area is subject to publication bias (null-result studies are less likely to be published or indexed). Effects were small in clinical magnitude (e.g., testosterone increases of 60–70 ng/dL) and were primarily observed in hypogonadal or clinical subpopulations, limiting generalizability to healthy adults. Most studies did not report the form of Tribulus used, so form-specific conclusions cannot be drawn.

Generated Jun 12, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 94–770 (median 575, IQR 247–760) — 3 studies

Time to effect

Median: 9.4 weeks · IQR 7.7 weeks–11.1 weeks · Range 6 weeks–3 months — Reported in 2 of 4 studies

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
We conclude that TTerrestris can be a safe alternative for the treatment of sexual dysfunction in pre and postmenopausal women as it is effective in reducing the symptoms with no side effects.
from: Effect of Tribulus Terrestris in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clitoral V
Overall tolerabilityReported
There was no report of serious adverse events
from: Tribulus Terrestris for Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

4 of 4 papersPopulation:

Effects of Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.) Supplementation on Erectile Dysfunction and Testosterone Levels in Men-A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.
- 2025-04-06
- Systematic Review · n = 172
- Nutrients 17(7)
- - José de Oliveira Vilar Neto
  - Wilson Max Almeida Monteiro de Moraes
  - Daniel Vieira Pinto
  - Carlos Alberto da Silva
  - Juan de Sá Roriz Caminha
  - Júlio César Chaves Nunes Filho
  - Caio Eduardo Gonçalves Reis
  - Jonato Prestes
  - Heitor O Santos
  - Elizabeth De Francesco Daher
- PubMed: 40219032
- DOI: 10.3390/nu17071275
2 Insights on
- Increased Testosterone Level
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Clinical
Therefore, only 2 studies showed significant intra-group increase in total testosterone levels, which had low clinical magnitude (60-70 ng/dL) and involved subjects with hypogonadism.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
400 to 750 mg/d for 1 to 3 months
The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and CrossFit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
- 2021-11-07
- RCT · n = 30
- Nutrients 13(11)
- - Diego Fernández-Lázaro
  - Juan Mielgo-Ayuso
  - Miguel Del Valle Soto
  - David P Adams
  - Jerónimo J González-Bernal
  - Jesús Seco-Calvo
- PubMed: 34836225
- DOI: 10.3390/nu13113969
10 Insights on
- Increased Testosterone Level
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Athletes
There were no significant group x time interactions for the outcomes of the study except for testosterone levels and bench press performance
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
770 mg/day
Tribulus Terrestris for Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.
- 2020-07
- Systematic Review · n = 279
- Revista brasileira de ginecologia e obstetricia : revista da Federacao Brasileira das Sociedades de Ginecologia e Obstetricia 42(07)
- - Ana Luiza Cabrera Martimbianco
  - Rafael Leite Pacheco
  - Rafael Leite Pacheco
  - Fábia Lima Vilarino
  - Carolina de Oliveira Cruz Latorraca
  - Maria Regina Torloni
  - Rachel Riera
- PubMed: 32736394
- DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712123
2 Insights on
- Increased Testosterone Level
- High evidence
- Clinical
Three months of treatment with T. terrestris showed a significant increase in the serum testosterone levels of premenopausal women.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Effect of Tribulus Terrestris in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clitoral Vascularization. Results of a Randomized Study Comparing Two Different Dosage Regimes.
- 2021-06-18
- RCT · n = 104
- Journal of sex & marital therapy 47(7)
- - Fabiene Bernardes Castro Vale
  - Junia Duelli Boroni
  - Guilherme Geber
  - Enylda Motta Gonçalves Antunes
  - Tancredo Bretas
  - Gerson Pereira Lopes
  - Selmo Geber
- PubMed: 34142638
- DOI: 10.1080/0092623x.2021.1938764
8 Insights on
- Increased Testosterone Level
- High evidence
- Large Human Trial
- Clinical
its use, increased total, free and bioavailable testosterone.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Significant
Yes
Dose
94mg three times/day (TT3) or 280mg once/day (TT1) for 90 days

Tribulus and Increased Testosterone Level

Effects of Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.) Supplementation on Erectile Dysfunction and Testosterone Levels in Men-A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

The Effects of 6 Weeks of Tribulus terrestris L. Supplementation on Body Composition, Hormonal Response, Perceived Exertion, and CrossFit® Performance: A Randomized, Single-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Tribulus Terrestris for Female Sexual Dysfunction: A Systematic Review.

Effect of Tribulus Terrestris in the Treatment of Female Sexual Dysfunction and Clitoral Vascularization. Results of a Randomized Study Comparing Two Different Dosage Regimes.