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Tribulus Terrestris
The headline marketing claim, that tribulus terrestris raises testosterone in healthy men and builds muscle, is not supported by controlled trials.
- Evidence
- Mixed Evidence
- Category
- Men's Health
- Best form
- Sopharma Tribestan (Bulgarian standardized extract, ~45% furostanol saponins, the formulation used in most landmark trials)
- Effective dose
- 750mg/day of a standardized extract (40-60% furostanol saponins) is the dose used in the Sopharma Tribestan studies
- Lab tested
- 6 of 8 products
- Category
- Men's Health
- Best form
- Sopharma Tribestan (Bulgarian standardized extract, ~45% furostanol saponins, the formulation used in most landmark trials)
- Effective dose
- 750mg/day of a standardized extract (40-60% furostanol saponins) is the dose used in the Sopharma Tribestan studies
- Lab tested
- 6 of 8 products
Key takeaways
- →Tribulus does not raise testosterone in healthy men. Multiple controlled trials in athletes and trained males show no T effect.
- →It also does not build muscle, strength, or improve athletic performance versus placebo, despite decades of supplement-industry marketing.
- →The strongest signal is in postmenopausal women with low libido, where 750mg/day of standardized extract has shown modest benefit.
- →Some commercial tribulus products have tested positive for undeclared anabolic steroids; tested athletes should avoid uncertified brands.
What Is Tribulus Terrestris?
The headline marketing claim, that tribulus terrestris raises testosterone in healthy men and builds muscle, is not supported by controlled trials. Multiple randomized studies in resistance-trained males, elite rugby players, and recreationally active men have found no testosterone increase, no extra strength gain, and no body composition advantage over placebo. If you are buying tribulus to boost T or accelerate muscle growth, the evidence says you are wasting money. The honest verdict is that the T-booster claim is debunked in eugonadal men, and product labels suggesting otherwise are running ahead of the data.
Antonio 2000 in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism gave 3.21 mg/kg/day to resistance-trained males for 8 weeks alongside periodized training; tribulus produced no advantage in body composition, strength, or mood, and the placebo group actually had greater bench-press endurance gains. Rogerson 2007 in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research dosed elite rugby league players with 450mg/day for 5 weeks during preseason and found no difference in strength, lean mass, or urinary testosterone-to-epitestosterone ratio versus placebo. Pokrywka 2014 in the Journal of Human Kinetics reviewed the athlete literature and concluded tribulus extract alone does not improve androgenic status or performance, and that the Australian Institute of Sport classifies it as a banned-or-high-contamination-risk supplement because multiple commercial tribulus products have tested positive for undeclared anabolic steroids. That contamination point is the most important practical takeaway for anyone subject to drug testing.
The female libido data is more interesting and more honest. de Souza 2016 in Menopause randomized 45 postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder to 750mg/day tribulus or placebo for 120 days and found significant improvements in desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, and orgasm domains, alongside small increases in free and bioavailable testosterone. Postigo 2016 in the Brazilian Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics replicated the postmenopausal benefit with similar effect sizes. Akhtari 2014 in DARU gave 7.5mg/day of a concentrated extract to 67 premenopausal women with HSDD for 4 weeks and reported improvements across all FSFI domains. These trials are small, short, and use heterogeneous tribulus preparations, but they consistently signal a real effect on female sexual function, and the verdict for postmenopausal HSDD is "early signal" rather than "ineffective."
Male sexual function data is more mixed. Some trials in men with mild erectile dysfunction or self-reported low libido report modest improvements in subjective sexual satisfaction, but effect sizes are small, populations are heterogeneous, and product standardization varies. The Pokrywka 2014 review and the more recent 2025 nutrients systematic review both characterize the male ED and libido evidence as suggestive but not definitive. For aphrodisiac use in men, tribulus is closer to "early signal" than "supported," and the realistic expectation should be modest if any effect, not the dramatic libido transformations promised on supplement labels. The contamination and adulteration risk remains the dominant practical concern; if you compete in any tested sport, do not use tribulus without verified third-party batch testing.
Does It Work? The Evidence
How A-F grades workRaising testosterone in healthy young men
Antonio 2000 IJSNEM (resistance-trained males, 8 weeks): no T change, no body composition advantage; Rogerson 2007 J Strength Cond Res (elite rugby players, 450mg/day, 5 weeks): no change in urinary T/E ratio; Pokrywka 2014 J Human Kinetics review: tribulus alone does not improve androgenic status. Multiple negative RCTs.
Strength, lean mass, and athletic performance
Antonio 2000: no strength advantage over placebo, placebo group had greater bench endurance gain; Rogerson 2007: strength and fat-free mass increased equally in tribulus and placebo groups during preseason training; Pokrywka 2014 review: tribulus alone does not improve physical performance in athletes.
Sexual function in postmenopausal women with HSDD
de Souza 2016 Menopause (n=45, 750mg/day for 120 days): significant improvement in desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, and orgasm; Postigo 2016 Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet (n=60, 90 days): similar improvements across SQ-F domains. Small RCTs, replicated by independent Brazilian groups.
Sexual desire in premenopausal women with HSDD
Akhtari 2014 DARU (n=67, 7.5mg/day concentrated extract for 4 weeks): significant improvement in total FSFI score and all subdomains. Single trial with concentrated extract dose; not yet replicated.
Erectile function and libido in men
Multiple small trials with heterogeneous extracts; some signal in men with mild ED or low libido but inconsistent across studies and product-dependent. 2025 Nutrients systematic review characterizes the evidence as suggestive but not conclusive.
Sperm parameters and male fertility
Small open-label studies report modest improvements in motility and morphology, but well-controlled RCTs are sparse. No consistent effect on sperm count or pregnancy outcomes.
Blood glucose, lipids, and cardiovascular markers
A handful of small trials in type 2 diabetes report glucose reductions, but these are underpowered and unreplicated. No quality data supports tribulus for metabolic health.
| Grade | Claimed Benefit | Key Studies | Our Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Raising testosterone in healthy young men | Antonio 2000 IJSNEM (resistance-trained males, 8 weeks): no T change, no body composition advantage; Rogerson 2007 J Strength Cond Res (elite rugby players, 450mg/day, 5 weeks): no change in urinary T/E ratio; Pokrywka 2014 J Human Kinetics review: tribulus alone does not improve androgenic status. Multiple negative RCTs. | Ineffective |
| A | Strength, lean mass, and athletic performance | Antonio 2000: no strength advantage over placebo, placebo group had greater bench endurance gain; Rogerson 2007: strength and fat-free mass increased equally in tribulus and placebo groups during preseason training; Pokrywka 2014 review: tribulus alone does not improve physical performance in athletes. | Ineffective |
| C | Sexual function in postmenopausal women with HSDD | de Souza 2016 Menopause (n=45, 750mg/day for 120 days): significant improvement in desire, arousal, lubrication, pain, and orgasm; Postigo 2016 Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet (n=60, 90 days): similar improvements across SQ-F domains. Small RCTs, replicated by independent Brazilian groups. | Early Signal |
| C | Sexual desire in premenopausal women with HSDD | Akhtari 2014 DARU (n=67, 7.5mg/day concentrated extract for 4 weeks): significant improvement in total FSFI score and all subdomains. Single trial with concentrated extract dose; not yet replicated. | Early Signal |
| C | Erectile function and libido in men | Multiple small trials with heterogeneous extracts; some signal in men with mild ED or low libido but inconsistent across studies and product-dependent. 2025 Nutrients systematic review characterizes the evidence as suggestive but not conclusive. | Conflicted |
| D | Sperm parameters and male fertility | Small open-label studies report modest improvements in motility and morphology, but well-controlled RCTs are sparse. No consistent effect on sperm count or pregnancy outcomes. | Not There Yet |
| D | Blood glucose, lipids, and cardiovascular markers | A handful of small trials in type 2 diabetes report glucose reductions, but these are underpowered and unreplicated. No quality data supports tribulus for metabolic health. | Not There Yet |
How to Choose: Forms, Doses & What Matters
Clinical dose: 750mg/day of a standardized extract (40-60% furostanol saponins) is the dose used in the Sopharma Tribestan studies; female libido trials have used 7.5mg/day to 750mg/day depending on extract concentration
Best forms: Sopharma Tribestan (Bulgarian standardized extract, ~45% furostanol saponins, the formulation used in most landmark trials), Standardized extract, 45-60% saponins (NOW Foods, Nutricost, Primaforce), High-saponin concentrate, 90-95% saponins (Double Wood, Prime Labs; easier to overshoot dose), Tribulus formulas with D-aspartic acid and chrysin (Pure Encapsulations; multi-ingredient blends complicate evidence interpretation)
If you choose to use tribulus despite the limited evidence in your population, the most studied protocol is 750mg/day of a standardized extract (40-60% furostanol saponins), typically split as 250mg three times daily with meals. Postmenopausal libido trials ran 90 to 120 days before assessing benefit, so do not expect immediate effects. Premenopausal HSDD studies used much lower doses of more concentrated extracts (around 7.5mg/day). For male users hoping for a libido or aphrodisiac effect (despite weak evidence), start with 750mg/day for 4 to 8 weeks and assess honestly; if there is no perceptible benefit, stop. Take with food to reduce the occasional GI upset. Avoid stacking with prescription testosterone, lithium, or strong serotonergic agents without medical input. Do not use 95% saponin concentrates without halving the labeled dose; the higher concentrations make it easier to overshoot.
Who Should Take Tribulus Terrestris?
Tribulus is a reasonable trial for postmenopausal women with low sexual desire who want a herbal option to discuss with their gynecologist alongside or instead of pharmaceutical approaches. The de Souza and Postigo trials used 750mg/day of standardized extract for 90 to 120 days, and that protocol is the closest thing to an evidence-based use case for this herb. Premenopausal women with HSDD have one supportive trial (Akhtari 2014) and may consider it cautiously. For everyone else, particularly healthy men hoping to raise testosterone or build muscle, the evidence does not support the marketing claims, and money is better spent elsewhere. If you want a herbal option for stress-related fatigue or low libido in men, ashwagandha and tongkat ali have stronger T-related and well-being data than tribulus.
Who Should Avoid It?
Not for everyone
Side Effects & Safety
Product Scores
8 products scored on dosing accuracy, third-party testing, cost per effective dose, and label transparency.
The Scorecard: 8 Products Compared
Tribulus 1000mg (Double Strength), 180 Tablets
NOW Foods$23.99 ÷ 185 days at 1000mg/day (1 serving × 1000mg)
If you are running a real 90 to 120 day trial on yourself per the de Souza postmenopausal protocol, this is the cheapest legitimate supply option
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus 1000mg (Double Strength), 90 Tablets
NOW Foods$13.99 ÷ 87 days at 1000mg/day (1 serving × 1000mg)
The most widely available standardized tribulus in the US at a clinical-trial-relevant dose; the right default for someone who wants the herb at the studied dose
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus Terrestris Extract 1500mg, 180 Capsules
Primaforce
$29.99 ÷ 91 days at 1500mg/day (1 serving × 1500mg)
The best option in the comparison for someone willing to pay a premium for documented batch testing, though tested athletes still need a Certified-for-Sport product
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus Terrestris Extract 1500mg, 240 Capsules (45% Saponins)
Nutricost$23.95 ÷ 120 days at 1500mg/day (1 serving × 1500mg)
The strongest combination of clinical-trial-matched standardization and per-capsule price in the comparison
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus Terrestris Extract 1500mg, 120 Capsules
Nutricost$15.95 ÷ 59 days at 1500mg/day (1 serving × 1500mg)
Solid value option with third-party identity testing, but split the dose; one capsule daily is closer to the clinical-trial protocol than the labeled 2-capsule serving
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus Terrestris 1000mg (95% Saponins), 210 Capsules
Double Wood Supplements$27.95 ÷ 215 days at 1000mg/day (1 serving × 1000mg)
Use only if you understand that 1000mg of 95% saponin extract is much more potent than 1000mg of a 45% extract; halve the labeled dose for clinical-trial-equivalent exposure
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus Formula (with D-Aspartic Acid and Chrysin), 90 Capsules
Pure Encapsulations$36.20 ÷ 30 days at 250mg/day (1 serving × 250mg)
Best for someone who wants a practitioner-tier brand and is comfortable with a multi-ingredient blend; not the right choice if you want to replicate the clinical-trial protocol cleanly
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Tribulus Terrestris Extract Powder, 500g
BulkSupplements
$29.96 ÷ 333 days at 1500mg/day (1 serving × 1500mg)
Use only if you already know your dose and want the cheapest per-gram option; the missing saponin percentage makes this a poor first choice for someone trying to replicate trial protocols
Prices checked 2026-04-28. Cost shown is per clinically effective daily dose, not per pill.
Full Comparison
| Category | Tribulus 1000mg (Double Strength), 180 Tablets NOW Foods | Tribulus 1000mg (Double Strength), 90 Tablets NOW Foods | Tribulus Terrestris Extract 1500mg, 180 Capsules Primaforce | Tribulus Terrestris Extract 1500mg, 240 Capsules (45% Saponins) Nutricost | Tribulus Terrestris Extract 1500mg, 120 Capsules Nutricost | Tribulus Terrestris 1000mg (95% Saponins), 210 Capsules Double Wood Supplements | Tribulus Formula (with D-Aspartic Acid and Chrysin), 90 Capsules Pure Encapsulations | Tribulus Terrestris Extract Powder, 500g BulkSupplements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Score | 81/100Winner | 80/100 | 79/100 | 78/100 | 76/100 | 75/100 | 70/100 | 68/100 |
| Dosing & Form | 22/25Winner | 22/25 | 20/25 | 20/25 | 19/25 | 18/25 | 16/25 | 14/25 |
| Purity | 19/25 | 19/25 | 21/25Winner | 19/25 | 19/25 | 21/25 | 21/25 | 19/25 |
| Value | 21/25 | 20/25 | 19/25 | 22/25Winner | 21/25 | 19/25 | 14/25 | 22/25 |
| Transparency | 19/25Winner | 19/25 | 19/25 | 17/25 | 17/25 | 17/25 | 19/25 | 13/25 |
| Cost/Day | $0.13 | $0.16 | $0.33 | $0.20 | $0.27 | $0.13 | $1.21 | $0.09Winner |
| Dose/Serving | 1000mg | 1000mg | 1500mg | 1500mg | 1500mg | 1000mg | 250mg | 1500mg |
| Form | Tablet, tribulus extract standardized to 45% saponins | Tablet, tribulus extract standardized to 45% saponins | Capsule, tribulus terrestris extract | Capsule, tribulus extract standardized to 45% saponins | Capsule, tribulus extract (saponin percentage on related SKUs: 45%) | Capsule, tribulus extract standardized to 95% steroidal saponins | Capsule, tribulus extract (20% protodioscin, 60% saponins) plus D-aspartic acid and chrysin | Loose extract powder, saponin percentage not disclosed |
| Third-Party Tested | No | No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Proprietary Blend | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does tribulus raise testosterone?
Not in healthy men. Multiple randomized controlled trials in resistance-trained males, elite rugby players, and recreationally active men have found no testosterone increase versus placebo. The Antonio 2000 and Rogerson 2007 trials are the most-cited negatives, and the 2014 Pokrywka review concluded that tribulus alone does not improve androgenic status. Small testosterone increases have been reported in postmenopausal women on tribulus (de Souza 2016), but that is a different population and a much smaller absolute change than the marketing implies. If a label promises a testosterone boost from tribulus, it is overselling the science.
Why is tribulus sold as a testosterone booster if it does not raise T?
Two reasons. First, early Bulgarian research from the 1980s on Tribestan suggested an LH and testosterone effect, and that decades-old marketing claim has been propagated through the supplement industry without being substantiated by independent replications. Second, supplement marketers exploit the gap between regulatory rules (claims are loosely policed) and consumer attention (most buyers do not read trial data). Modern controlled trials have repeatedly failed to find a T-raising effect in eugonadal men, but the marketing has not caught up. Buyer beware.
Is tribulus safe for athletes who get drug tested?
Risky. Multiple commercial tribulus products have tested positive for undeclared anabolic steroids and prohormones, including methandienone, stanozolol, and oxandrolone. The Australian Institute of Sport classifies tribulus as a banned-or-high-contamination-risk supplement and advises athletes against using it. If you compete in any tested sport, only use tribulus if it carries NSF Certified for Sport or Informed Sport batch certification, and recognize that even certified batches are a higher contamination-risk category than most supplements. Most sport dietitians simply tell tested athletes to skip tribulus.
Does it work for women's sexual function?
There is a real signal, especially in postmenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder. The de Souza 2016 trial in Menopause used 750mg/day of standardized extract for 120 days and reported improvements in desire, arousal, lubrication, and orgasm; the Postigo 2016 Brazilian study replicated the postmenopausal benefit. Akhtari 2014 used a much lower 7.5mg/day concentrated extract in premenopausal women with HSDD and reported FSFI improvements. The trials are small and short, but the signal is consistent enough to call this an early-signal use case rather than a marketing fiction.
What is the right dose if I want to try it?
For postmenopausal women, 750mg/day of a standardized extract (40-60% furostanol saponins) split as 250mg three times daily for 90 to 120 days, mirroring the de Souza protocol. For male users hoping for libido or aphrodisiac effects (despite weak evidence), 750mg/day for 4 to 8 weeks is a fair trial. For premenopausal women, the Akhtari trial used a more concentrated 7.5mg/day extract. With 95% saponin concentrates, halve the labeled dose because the active content is much higher per milligram.
Does Bulgarian tribulus (Tribestan) work better than other sources?
The Bulgarian Sopharma Tribestan formulation has the most clinical trial heritage and was used in many of the early studies. Whether the Bulgarian source is genuinely more potent than other 45-60% saponin extracts has not been rigorously demonstrated. Tribestan is a reasonable choice if you want the formulation closest to the published trial doses. For US buyers, equivalent standardized extracts from NOW Foods, Nutricost, or Primaforce are pharmacologically similar at matched saponin percentages and easier to find.
How long should I trial it before deciding it does not work?
Postmenopausal libido trials ran 90 to 120 days before assessing benefit, so a fair trial is at least 12 weeks at 750mg/day of standardized extract. For male libido or aphrodisiac use, 4 to 8 weeks is enough to know whether you feel any effect. If after 8 weeks you do not notice a meaningful change in libido or sexual function, the herb is not working for you and continued use is unlikely to change that. Do not chase higher doses or 95% concentrates expecting a dramatic effect that the trials never showed.
Sources
- Antonio J, Uelmen J, Rodriguez R, Earnest C. The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained males. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2000;10(2):208-15.
- Rogerson S, Riches CJ, Jennings C, et al. The effect of five weeks of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league players. J Strength Cond Res. 2007;21(2):348-53.
- Pokrywka A, Obminski Z, Malczewska-Lenczowska J, et al. Insights into supplements with Tribulus terrestris used by athletes. J Hum Kinet. 2014;41:99-105.
- de Souza KZ, Vale FB, Geber S. Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. Menopause. 2016;23(11):1252-1256.
- Postigo S, Lima SM, Yamada SS, et al. Assessment of the Effects of Tribulus Terrestris on Sexual Function of Menopausal Women. Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet. 2016;38(3):140-6.
- Akhtari E, Raisi F, Keshavarz M, et al. Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Daru. 2014;22:40.
- Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS), DoD Human Performance Resources. Tribulus terrestris as an ingredient in dietary supplements.
FDA Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products discussed on this page are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.