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Tribulus Terrestris

Tribulus terrestris is a plant used in traditional medicine, and its extracts may nudge sex hormones such as testosterone and luteinizing hormone. Most people look at it for sexual function, and in women with sexual dysfunction, studies found libido went up, with moderate evidence; results for erections in men were more limited. The studies were small, and the few that measured luteinizing hormone or free testosterone found no clear difference.

Sources: PMID 28364864; PMID 30253697

Best evidence
Grade B
Conditions studied
18
Outcomes
100
Graded outcomes
0289

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

18 conditions

Low Testosterone

Low Testosterone: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Erections

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies100 people

Studies that measured erections

Free Testosterone

No effect

NoneNo effect30 people
TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies62 people

Studies that measured testosterone

Sperm CountImproves (the measure goes up)1 study30 people

Studies that measured sperm count

Luteinizing HormoneImproves (the measure goes up)60 people
Prostate-Specific AntigenImproves (the measure goes up)70 people
Sperm QualityImproves (the measure goes up)30 people

Female Sexual Dysfunction

Female Sexual Dysfunction: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Libido

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect320 people
Sexual FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies320 people

Studies that measured sexual function

TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies45 people

Studies that measured testosterone

Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms

  • Erections: improves
  • Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen: improves
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Erections

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies70 people

Studies that measured erections

Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies70 people
Prostate-Specific AntigenImproves (the measure goes up)70 people

Male Sexual Dysfunction

  • Erections: improves
  • Testosterone
  • Luteinizing Hormone
Male Sexual Dysfunction: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Erections

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies30 people

Studies that measured erections

Testosterone

No effect

1 study

Studies that measured testosterone

Luteinizing Hormone

Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder

  • Erections: improves
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): improves
  • Free Testosterone
Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Erections

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies180 people

Studies that measured erections

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)1 study180 people

Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl)

Free Testosterone
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)180 people
Serum DHEAImproves (the measure goes up)180 people
Sex Hormone Binding GlobulinImproves (the measure goes up)180 people
Testosterone
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)180 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)180 people

Oligospermia

  • Erections: improves
  • Sperm Count: improves
  • Fatigue Symptoms: improves
Oligospermia: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Erections

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect4 studies63 people

Studies that measured erections

Sperm CountImproves (the measure goes up)1 study63 people

Studies that measured sperm count

Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)63 people
LibidoImproves (the measure goes up)63 people
Sperm QualityImproves (the measure goes up)63 people
Testosterone

Erectile Dysfunction

  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Erections: improves
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): improves
Erectile Dysfunction: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Pressure

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect180 people
ErectionsImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies1,023 people

Studies that measured erections

Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)1 study180 people

Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl)

Testosterone

No effect

1 study

Studies that measured testosterone

Free Testosterone
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)180 people
Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies70 people
Luteinizing Hormone
Prostate-Specific AntigenImproves (the measure goes up)70 people
Serum DHEAImproves (the measure goes up)180 people
Sex Hormone Binding GlobulinImproves (the measure goes up)180 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)180 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)180 people

High Blood Pressure

  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Heart Rate: improves
  • Diuresis: improves
High Blood Pressure: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Pressure

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect75 people
Heart RateImproves (the measure goes down)1 study75 people

Studies that measured heart rate

DiuresisImproves (the measure goes up)75 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)75 people

Menopause

  • Libido: improves
  • Sexual Function: improves
  • Testosterone: improves
Menopause: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Libido

Small Increase

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect45 people
Sexual FunctionImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies45 people

Studies that measured sexual function

TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)3 studies45 people

Studies that measured testosterone

Type 2 Diabetes

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): improves
  • HbA1c: improves
Type 2 Diabetes: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect98 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)1 study98 people

Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl)

HbA1cImproves (the measure goes down)98 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)98 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)98 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)98 people

Infertility

  • Body Fat
  • Erections: improves
  • Follicle-Stimulating Hormone: improves
Infertility: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies65 people

Studies that measured body fat

ErectionsImproves (the measure goes up)4 studies63 people

Studies that measured erections

Follicle-Stimulating HormoneImproves (the measure goes up)1 study65 people

Studies that measured follicle-stimulating hormone

Free Testosterone

No effect

1 study

Studies that measured free testosterone

Luteinizing Hormone

No effect

1 study

Studies that measured luteinizing hormone

Sperm CountImproves (the measure goes up)1 study158 people
Testosterone

No effect

1 study
DHTImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)63 people
LibidoImproves (the measure goes up)63 people
Muscle Mass
ProlactinImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Seminal MotilityImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Serum DHEAImproves (the measure goes up)65 people
Sperm QualityImproves (the measure goes up)93 people

Body Composition

  • Body Fat
  • Testosterone
  • Muscle Mass
Body Composition: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies37 people

Studies that measured body fat

Testosterone

No effect

3 studies

Studies that measured testosterone

Muscle Mass

No effect

1 study

Studies that measured muscle mass

Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)15 people
Power Output

Muscle Size Strength

  • Body Fat
  • Testosterone
  • Muscle Mass
Muscle Size Strength: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies37 people
Testosterone

No effect

3 studies
Muscle Mass

No effect

1 study
Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)15 people
Power Output

General Athletic Performance

  • Body Fat
  • Testosterone
  • Muscle Mass
General Athletic Performance: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies37 people
Testosterone

No effect

3 studies
Muscle Mass

No effect

1 study
Fatigue SymptomsImproves (the measure goes down)15 people
Power Output

Rugby Performance

  • Body Fat
  • Testosterone
  • Muscle Mass
Rugby Performance: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies22 people
Testosterone

No effect

3 studies
Muscle Mass

No effect

1 study
Power Output

Muscle Size & Strength

  • Body Fat
  • Testosterone
  • Muscle Mass
Muscle Size & Strength: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Body Fat

No effect

NoneNo effect2 studies37 people
Testosterone

No effect

3 studies
Muscle Mass

No effect

1 study
Fatigue SymptomsChanges; see studies15 people
Power Output

Hormone Health

  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Testosterone
Hormone Health: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Luteinizing Hormone

No effect

NoneNo effect21 people
Testosterone

No effect

3 studies

Sexual Health

  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Testosterone
Sexual Health: outcomes studied for Tribulus Terrestris
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Luteinizing Hormone

No effect

NoneNo effect21 people
Testosterone

No effect

3 studies

Key findings

  • ErectionsLow TestosteroneImproves (the measure goes up)
  • LibidoFemale Sexual DysfunctionImproves (the measure goes up)
  • Blood PressureErectile DysfunctionImproves (the measure goes down)

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Tribulus Terrestris products we can link to, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade B

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Studies cited

17 studies from PubMed

  1. Efficacy of Tribulus Terrestris Extract on the Serum Glucose and Lipids of Women with Diabetes MellitusIran J Med Sci · PMID 27840471
  2. Tribulus terrestris versus placebo in the treatment of erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with late-onset hypogonadism: A placebo-controlled studyUrologia · PMID 30253697
  3. Pilot Study on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Erectile Function in Aging Males With Partial Androgen Deficiency (PADAM)J Sex Marital Ther · PMID 25849625
  4. Prospective Analysis on the Effect of Botanical Medicine (Tribulus terrestris) on Serum Testosterone Level and Semen Parameters in Males with Unexplained InfertilityJ Diet Suppl · PMID 27337519
  5. Short term impact of Tribulus terrestris intake on doping control analysis of endogenous steroidsForensic Sci Int · PMID 18282674
  6. Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use.Nutrients · PMID 37686709
  7. Evaluation of the efficacy and safety of Tribulus terrestris in male sexual dysfunction-A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trialMaturitas · PMID 28364864
  8. The aphrodisiac herb Tribulus terrestris does not influence the androgen production in young menJ Ethnopharmacol · PMID 15994038
  9. Effect of oral administration of Tribulus terrestris extract on semen quality and body fat index of infertile menAndrologia · PMID 27401787
  10. Clinical study of Tribulus terrestris Linn. in Oligozoospermia: A double blind studyAyu · PMID 23723641
  11. Anti-hypertensive effect of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.) - A clinical studyAnc Sci Life · PMID 22556936
  12. Tribulus terrestris for treatment of sexual dysfunction in women: randomized double-blind placebo - controlled studyDaru · PMID 24773615
  13. Efficacy of Tribulus terrestris for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trialMenopause · PMID 27760089
  14. Efficacy of Tribulus Terrestris for the treatment of premenopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder: a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trialGynecol Endocrinol · PMID 29172782
  15. Clinical Assessment of Tribulus terrestris Extract in the Treatment of Female Sexual DysfunctionClin Med Insights Womens Health · PMID 25574150
  16. The effects of Tribulus terrestris on body composition and exercise performance in resistance-trained malesInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab · PMID 10861339
  17. The effect of five weeks of Tribulus terrestris supplementation on muscle strength and body composition during preseason training in elite rugby league playersJ Strength Cond Res · PMID 17530942

Protocols that include Tribulus Terrestris