Tribulus Terrestris for Libido And Sexual Function

Research suggests that Tribulus terrestris may support sexual function and libido in both men and women, with the bulk of available evidence coming from randomized controlled trials and reviews that generally point in a positive direction. Studies indicate improvements in desire, arousal, and satisfaction across several populations, including men with mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, premenopausal women with low sexual desire, and postmenopausal women, as measured by validated questionnaires like the IIEF and FSFI. However, the picture is not entirely clear: at least one placebo-controlled trial in men found no significant benefit over placebo at the dose and duration tested, and a 2016 review cautioned that the widely repeated claim that Tribulus terrestris works by raising testosterone levels is not well supported by current evidence, with some researchers proposing a nitric oxide-based mechanism instead. Additional limitations across the body of evidence include small sample sizes, short study durations, variable dosing and extract standardization, and the use of multi-ingredient formulas in some trials, all of which make it difficult to draw firm conclusions about the herb's effects in isolation.