We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you
buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission or
other tangible benefit. Optum Store, Optum Perks, and Healthline
Media are owned by RVO Health. Here’s our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:
Evaluate ingredients and composition: Do they have the potential to cause harm?
Fact-check all health claims: Do they align with the current body of scientific evidence?
Assess the brand: Does it operate with integrity and adhere to industry best practices?
We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness.
Research on testosterone boosters is inconclusive, but there are some ingredients that may be beneficial. Read on to learn about products you might consider.
At Healthline, we respect and acknowledge an individual’s sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Throughout this article, we use the terms “men” and “male” as the sex assigned at birth as most studies we source use these terms. However, this article pertains to anyone who has a penis, or anyone who’s looking to increase their testosterone levels.
Was this helpful?
Testosterone production is highest in men from adolescence through early adulthood. After you reach 30 years old, testosterone declines by about 1% a year. Low “T,” as testosterone is often called, can result in erectile dysfunction, reduced testicular size, and a sullen mood.
In recent years, the idea of naturally boosting testosterone that is lost due to aging, obesity, or lifestyle choices such as drinking alcohol has gained attention. But the science behind this is spotty.
Though some natural substances, such as fenugreek seed extracts and ashwagandha root, have shown promise for increasing T levels in some men, this result is not a given. Meanwhile, lifestyle and dietary changes may be more helpful.
This article examines products that have the strongest research supporting their potential use. We also look at other natural methods that may help boost testosterone.
A note on testosterone booster research
Though many supplements claim to help boost testosterone levels, viable research on these products is lacking. Meanwhile, most studies focus on the effects of individual ingredients rather than proprietary blends.
One review concluded that only 30% of study participants experienced an increase in testosterone levels using ingredients found in popular over-the-counter (OTC) testosterone booster supplement blends, including:
tongkat ali extract
horny goat weed
saw palmetto extract
boron
nettle extract
maca root powder
ashwagandha root extract
fenugreek
bioperine
DIIM
Testosterone booster supplements may work for some people, but more research is needed to evaluate their safety and effectiveness for the general population.
Testosterone boosters aim to improve the levels of testosterone, a hormone that plays a key role in several aspects of health. These supplements include compounds that can either increase testosterone or related hormones directly, or help prevent your body from converting testosterone into estrogen.
In theory, maintaining “normal” blood levels of testosterone may help prevent symptoms or conditions associated with low testosterone levels. However, there’s limited research on whether testosterone boosters actually offer these benefits, especially in people who don’t have a deficiency.
Some nutrients and herbal extracts often used as testosterone boosters have been linked to additional benefits, including improvements in sperm health,enhanced sexual function, and increased exercise performance. Still, more research is needed on the effectiveness and potential benefits of these supplements.
Although various ingredients have been shown to increase testosterone levels, research on the safety and effectiveness of OTC testosterone boosters is lacking. As noted above, only 30% of people experienced an increase in testosterone levels when taking supplements containing common testosterone-boosting ingredients.
Furthermore, many popular testosterone boosters on the market contain a wide range of herbal ingredients or other compounds, some of which could interact with certain medications and health conditions. Therefore, it’s important to talk with a doctor before trying any testosterone boosters.
Pricing guide
General prices for supplements that may help boost testosterone level range from affordable to expensive. The following range is indicated for the products listed below. Check each label to determine how many servings each product contains.
Vetting: All the products included were vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards.
Research-supported ingredients: Instead of choosing products that feature questionable or unrealistic health claims in their marketing, we chose natural supplements with ingredients backed by research, such as vitamin D, which may enhance sexual function, or ashwagandha, which could help by reducing stress. Still, more research is needed in this area.
Dosage: These supplements provide a dosage that has been proven safe and effective.
There are several key factors to consider when shopping for a supplement to help increase your testosterone levels, including:
Ingredients: Some ingredients meant to increase testosterone levels have more research than others. Be sure to look for products containing research-backed ingredients and steer clear of supplements that contain “proprietary blends” but don’t disclose the specific ingredients they contain.
Dose: Choose supplements that contain ingredients in doses that have been shown to be safe and effective.
Quality: Look for products made by reputable, CGMP-compliant companies. Because supplements are not regulated by the FDA, it’s best to opt for products that are third-party tested or certified to help ensure safety.
They can check your blood levels to determine whether you have low testosterone and develop a treatment plan to address your needs. They can also evaluate whether other factors or conditions could be contributing to your low testosterone levels and whether those conditions need to be addressed.
It’s a good idea to talk with a healthcare professional before adding any supplements to your routine, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications that could interact with herbal supplements.
It’s unclear. The research on testosterone boosters is sparse and inconclusive. Some ingredients, such as fenugreek seed extract and ashwagandha root, are better researched and show more promise than others.
When you buy, research each ingredient rather than focusing on the manufacturer’s claims.
Seeing a specialist, such as a urologist, is the best way to find testosterone-boosting solutions that will work. A healthcare professional can run tests that provide clues as to why your testosterone level is low.
You could also assess your lifestyle choices. Eating highly processed food instead of antioxidant rich foods may reduce your testosterone levels. So does drinking alcohol.
Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E may be beneficial.
Vitamin D, magnesium, and zinc may also have testosterone-boosting effects. (Vitamin D is essentially a hormone. Zinc and magnesium are minerals).
Jatenzo (testosterone undecanoate) is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a prescription medication recommended for some men with low testosterone.
Because it can cause side effects, such as an increase in blood pressure, it is not right for everyone.
It may also not be indicated for low testosterone in all men. Talk with a healthcare professional to determine whether this drug is right for you.
A wide range of testosterone-boosting supplements is available, but only a few have significant research to support their use. Some may have noticeable benefits only in people with fertility issues or low testosterone levels.
In addition, researchers haven’t yet established the long-term safety of most of these supplements.
To avoid potential side effects, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before using any of the supplements listed above, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking any medications.
Last medically reviewed on January 31, 2024
0 Comments
There aren't any comments yet. Be the first to leave one!
Your experience matters. Let others know. Share your story.
We encourage our readers to share their unique experiences to create a helpful and informative community here on Healthline. Our editors will also review every comment before publishing, ensuring our high level of medical integrity.
Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
Asghari-Jafarabadi M, et al. (2022). The effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on improving blood lipids and body weight; a systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis of clinical trials.
Fallah A, et al. (2018). Zinc is an essential element for male fertility: A review of Zn roles in men’s health, germination, sperm quality, and fertilization.
Gholami-Ahangaran M, et al. (2021). A systematic review on the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on improvement of biological and fertility indices of sperm in laboratory animals, poultry and humans.
Liao L-Y, et al. (2018). A preliminary review of studies on adaptogens: Comparison of their bioactivity in TCM with that of ginseng-like herbs used worldwide.
Lopresti AL, et al. (2019). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study examining the hormonal and vitality effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) In aging, overweight males.
Maheshwari A, et al. (2017). Efficacy of Furosap™, a novel Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract, in enhancing testosterone level and improving sperm profile in male volunteers.
Michalczyk MM, et al. (2020). Influence of sunlight and oral D3 supplementation on serum 25(Oh)D concentration and exercise performance in elite soccer players.
Rao A, et al. (2016). Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical study.
Salve J, et al. (2019). Adaptogenic and anxiolytic effects of ashwagandha root extract in healthy adults: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study.
Santos HO, et al. (2018). Use of medicinal doses of zinc as a safe and efficient coadjutant in the treatment of male hypogonadism.
Smith SJ, et al. (2021). Examining the effects of herbs on testosterone concentrations in men: A systematic review. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33150931/