tuneTypical Dose
About 1,500 mg/day total was used in one standardized-extract erectile-dysfunction trial, but protocols vary substantially by product
Botanical
Tribulus Terrestris
Tribulus terrestris
Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
The better sexual-function trials measured outcomes over weeks, not days.
check_circleCompliance
WADA NOT PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Tribulus terrestris may help some sexual-function outcomes, but human evidence does not support the common claim that it reliably raises testosterone.
Tribulus is one of the most persistent testosterone-marketing supplements, yet the human evidence does not back that story. The current best evidence suggests a narrow possible role in erectile-function or libido-related outcomes in some men, while testosterone levels generally do not rise. It should be framed as a low-confidence sexual-function supplement, not a hormone optimizer or performance booster.
Tribulus terrestris is usually discussed in terms of steroidal saponins and possible effects on androgen-related or nitric-oxide-related pathways, but the mechanistic story has not translated into reliable testosterone increases in human trials.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- Possible modest improvement in erectile-function outcomes in some men
- No reliable testosterone increase in human trials
Secondary Outcomes
- Weak or inconsistent libido-related support
- No convincing strength or body-composition use case
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
- Pregnancy
- Lactation
- Self-treated erectile dysfunction or fertility problems without evaluation
Side effects
- Mild GI discomfort
Interactions
No entries provided
Avoid if
- You are using it as a testosterone booster
- You are substituting it for evaluation of erectile dysfunction, infertility, or possible hypogonadism
Evidence
Study-level References
trib-SRC-001Systematic review and meta-analysis
Sourceopen_in_newSuharyani S, Amanda B, Angellee J, et al. Tribulus terrestris for management of patients with erectile dysfunction. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Int J Impot Res. 2026;38(1):11-18. doi:10.1038/s41443-025-01086-7. PMID:40360723.
Population: Men with erectile dysfunction enrolled across randomized trials.
Dose protocol: Meta-analysis of randomized tribulus trials for erectile dysfunction
Key findings: Improved erectile-function scores versus placebo without increasing total testosterone.
Notes: Best current pooled source for separating sexual-function effects from testosterone claims.
Paper content
This 2026 meta-analysis is the cleanest current source for tribulus framing. Across randomized trials, tribulus improved erectile-function questionnaire scores compared with placebo, but it did not increase total testosterone. That supports a narrow sexual-function use case while directly undercutting the common testosterone-booster claim.
trib-SRC-002Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_newKamenov Z, Fileva S, Kalinov K, Jannini EAJ. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Maturitas. 2017;99:20-26. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2017.01.011. PMID:28364864.
Population: Men aged 18 to 65 years with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, with or without hypoactive sexual desire disorder.
Dose protocol: Standardized extract, 2 tablets three times daily for 12 weeks
Key findings: Improved IIEF and satisfaction outcomes in men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction.
Notes: Useful product-specific trial with company involvement.
Paper content
This larger placebo-controlled male sexual-dysfunction trial found that a standardized tribulus extract improved erectile-function and satisfaction questionnaire scores compared with placebo over 12 weeks. The result supports a possible sexual-function use case, but it does not establish a testosterone effect and it relies on a branded extract with company involvement.
trib-SRC-003Randomized controlled trial
Sourceopen_in_newNeychev VK, Mitev VI. The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young men. J Ethnopharmacol. 2005;101(1-3):319-323. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2005.05.022. PMID:15994038.
Population: Healthy young men.
Dose protocol: 10 or 20 mg/kg/day for 5 days in healthy young men
Key findings: No increase in testosterone, androstenedione, or luteinizing hormone.
Notes: Important direct hormone-framing study.
Paper content
This early human trial is still one of the most useful sources for hormone framing because it directly tested the popular testosterone claim and found no effect on testosterone, androstenedione, or luteinizing hormone in healthy young men. It supports the position that tribulus should not be presented as a reliable testosterone booster.
trib-SRC-004Systematic review of clinical trials.
Sourceopen_in_newVilar Neto JO, de Moraes WMAM, Pinto DV, da Silva CA, Caminha JSR, Nunes Filho JCC, Reis CEG, Prestes J, Santos HO, De Francesco Daher E. Effects of Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.) Supplementation on Erectile Dysfunction and Testosterone Levels in Men-A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. Nutrients. 2025;17(7):1275. doi:10.3390/nu17071275. PMID:40219032.
Population: Men aged 16 to 70 with various conditions including erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism.
Dose protocol: Systematic review of 10 clinical trials, 483 participants, 400 to 750 mg/day for 1 to 3 months
Key findings: Improved erectile dysfunction in 3 of 5 studies. Most studies showed no significant testosterone changes. Low level of evidence overall.
Notes: Reinforces the narrow sexual-function signal without supporting the testosterone-booster claim. Complements the existing 2026 meta-analysis.
Paper content
This 2025 systematic review analyzed 10 clinical trials (483 total participants) on tribulus terrestris supplementation for erectile dysfunction and testosterone. At doses of 400 to 750 mg/day for 1 to 3 months, tribulus improved erectile dysfunction in 3 of 5 studies that measured this outcome. However, most studies showed no significant testosterone changes. The authors concluded that tribulus has low-level evidence for improving erectile function and no robust evidence for increasing testosterone. This review reinforces the existing pattern in the tribulus literature, with a possible narrow sexual-function signal without supporting the popular testosterone-booster marketing claim. The review is limited by the small number and heterogeneity of included trials.
trib-SRC-005Short-term pilot study.
Sourceopen_in_newMinotti L, Marchei E, Biava M, Minutillo A, Busardo FP, Pichini S, Bambagiotti G. Impact of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on urinary steroid profiles: A short term pilot study. J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2026;267:117160. doi:10.1016/j.jpba.2025.117160. PMID:41005195.
Population: Recreational athletes (8 male, 7 female).
Dose protocol: Daily tribulus extract for 2 months in 15 recreational athletes (8 male, 7 female)
Key findings: No statistically significant changes in urinary steroid profiles or ratios. Males showed time-dependent but nonsignificant increases in androstene-3,17-dione, epitestosterone, and testosterone.
Notes: Adds urinary steroid profile data to the evidence base showing tribulus does not meaningfully alter hormonal parameters.
Paper content
This pilot study measured urinary steroid profiles in 15 recreational athletes (8 male, 7 female) during two months of daily tribulus terrestris supplementation. Males showed time-dependent increases in androstene-3,17-dione, epitestosterone, and testosterone, but no statistically significant differences emerged between baseline and supplementation periods. Females showed initial steroid increases followed by decreases, also not significant. The authors concluded that tribulus did not produce statistically significant alterations in urinary steroid profiles, questioning its efficacy as a performance-enhancing agent. While the small sample size limits statistical power, the absence of meaningful steroid shifts during two months of daily use is consistent with the broader evidence that tribulus does not reliably alter hormonal parameters.