Why Testosterone Boosters Are a Health Risk

If you’re a guy in your 20s, 30s, or beyond, odds are good you’re getting targeted by ads for testosterone boosters left and right. And if you’ve been feeling the effects of dwindling testosterone—like low energy and libido—taking a simple supplement to boost it sounds appealing. 

Testosterone-boosting supplements promise to skyrocket testosterone. But do they actually reduce symptoms of low testosterone, or is it all hype? “Many over-the-counter testosterone boosters make big promises but often lack the scientific backing to deliver,” says Joshua Calvert, M.D., a board-certified urologist.

Testosterone boosters aren’t Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, may not be safe, and can cause side effects. Studies have found that some testosterone boosters are spiked with undisclosed or harmful substances, and ingredients that suppress your body’s natural testosterone production (1), “ironically worsening the problem,” adds Calvert.

In other words: You’re experimenting with the unknown and could be risking your health.

About the Expert

Joshua Calvert, M.D., is a board-certified urologist and an independent consulting physician for Broad Health, Hone Health’s affiliated medical practice.

What Are Testosterone Boosters?

Testosterone boosters are supplements or natural remedies that claim to increase testosterone levels. They’re typically marketed to men looking to improve their athletic performance, increase muscle mass, or enhance their sex drive.

Testosterone is produced in the testicles and adrenal glands. In addition to its role in sexual development and reproduction, testosterone supports bone density, red blood cell production, and mood regulation. 

According to Harvard Health, testosterone starts to decline when men reach their mid-thirties, at a rate of one to two percent per year (2). For this reason, men in this age bracket might seek potential options for increasing their levels, including lifestyle changes, testosterone replacement therapy, and testosterone boosters.

What’s In Testosterone Boosters?

Testosterone boosters often contain herbs and ingredients that have been linked to higher testosterone in studies—even if the supplements themselves aren’t proven to work. Common ingredients in testosterone supplements include zinc, vitamin D, D-aspartic acid (an amino acid), fenugreek, shilajit, and tribulus terrestris (an herb used in Eastern medicine to enhance libido and improve sexual function).

Many of the studies that have been conducted on these ingredients have had small sample sizes or have been poorly designed, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions about their effectiveness. “Even the few ingredients that show some potential typically result in small increases in testosterone that may not be clinically meaningful,” explains Calvert. 

What’s more, what you see listed on the bottle may or may not reflect what’s inside (1). They’re not regulated by the FDA, meaning their safety and quality cannot be guaranteed. Some supplements may also contain dangerous contaminants or hidden ingredients that can have harmful side effects, says Calvert. What’s more, supplements are prone to counterfeit manufacturing and brand stealing, leading to even more unreliability and potentially hidden ingredients. 

Do Testosterone Boosters Work?

If you have a true testosterone deficiency, it’s unclear whether testosterone supplements will increase levels of the hormone enough to relieve symptoms. Many OTC testosterone boosters aren’t FDA-approved and haven’t been proven to be effective.

There is some research on testosterone boosters and their ingredients, but it’s not necessarily conclusive or accurate (3). “Even the few ingredients that show some potential typically result in small increases in testosterone that may not be clinically meaningful,” explains Calvert. 

In general, for the few testosterone boosters that *might* work, it may take several weeks or even months to produce noticeable changes in testosterone levels, Calvert notes.”Testosterone operates on a feedback loop governed by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, and altering this system takes time. Your body doesn’t just crank up testosterone production overnight; it needs consistent signaling and proper conditions,” he adds.

Can testosterone boosters boost sex drive?

Low testosterone levels can lead to symptoms including:

• Decreased sex drive
• Erectile dysfunction
• Fatigue

Some studies suggest that several of the ingredients in testosterone boosters may relieve these symptoms. 

In one review, for example, researchers found that D-aspartic acid increased testosterone in some male animal studies, possibly by stimulating the release of luteinizing hormone, which in turn stimulates testosterone production (4). 

Other research shows supplementing with zinc may increase testosterone levels in men with low testosterone (5). Other studies link supplementing vitamin D to increased testosterone in men who are deficient in the vitamin (6).

If you’re experiencing symptoms of low testosterone, you can get your hormone levels tested to see if you have a deficiency. Testing as early as your 20s and 30s can help you establish a baseline that you and your doctor can track as you age. It can also help you determine whether supplements like testosterone boosters are working. 

TEST YOUR LEVELS

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Herbal Testosterone Supplements

Testosterone boosters often contain herbal ingredients that have been linked to higher testosterone. However, the safety and efficacy of these herbs aren’t universally supported (7)—evidence ranges from “maybe” to “meh,” says Calvert. 

Here’s the TL;DR on common herbal ingredients (8, 9):

• Fenugreek: Some studies show minor boosts in testosterone, but the results are inconsistent. 
• Ashwagandha: May slightly increase testosterone in men under stress or with fertility issues, however, more research is needed.  
• Tongkat Ali: Studies suggest it might increase testosterone, but mostly in men with already low levels.  
• Tribulus Terrestris: Studies show it has little to no effect on testosterone.
• Fadogia Argrestis: “Buzzworthy, but there’s no solid human research, and rodent studies raise safety concerns,” says Calvert.  

“Some herbal ingredients might be safe in reasonable doses, but others can interact with medications, affect liver function, or even disrupt your hormones,” advises Calvert.

Are Testosterone Boosters Safe?

Since supplements, including testosterone boosters, aren’t regulated by the FDA and contain a wide range of ingredients at different dosages, research to back their safety is limited. But there are a few ways to hunt down safer options:

Are testosterone boosters legal?

Yes, most testosterone boosters are legal. However, athletes should look for NSF Certified for Sport supplements, since the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency bans testosterone boosters that significantly increase testosterone levels or performance.

Follow supplement best practices

Since supplements aren’t regulated by the FDA, your best bet is a supplement with science-backed ingredients that is cGMP and third-party certified. Our Supplement Methodology can help you suss out the safest options.

Review the ingredients

It’s common for testosterone boosters to contain a blend of ingredients. However, individual ingredients can be more effective and safe in different forms (capsule, gummy, powder, etc.) and dosages. So, it’s worth checking whether the listed ingredients are included in a meaningful dose, and whether they can interact or counteract each other.

Watch for side effects

The potential side effects of taking testosterone boosters vary depending on the specific ingredients used in the supplement and your health status. But some of the most common side effects of testosterone boosters include:

Watch for side effects

The potential side effects of taking testosterone boosters vary depending on the specific ingredients used in the supplement and your health status. However, some of the most common side effects of testosterone boosters include:

Acne

Testosterone boosters can increase oil production in the skin, which can lead to breakouts.

Hair loss

Some testosterone boosters may increase levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that can contribute to hair loss in men who are genetically predisposed to male pattern baldness.

Mood changes

Testosterone boosters may cause mood changes, as high levels of testosterone have been linked to increased rates of depression and hypomania (10).

Benign prostate enlargement

Testosterone boosters may put men at higher risk for BPH (11).

Fast, Easy, Affordable

Hone’s at-home testosterone assessment is the simplest way to uncover whether your levels are low. If you qualify for treatment, TRT can be sent right to your door.

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Better Ways to Boost Testosterone

There are plenty of scientifically proven safe and effective methods to boost testosterone:

Testosterone replacement therapy

Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is a prescription treatment that involves the administration of testosterone, usually through injections, gels, or patches.

If you’re dealing with low testosterone, targeted treatments like TRT are far more reliable than testosterone boosters or supplements, says Calvert. TRT directly addresses the root cause of the problem by increasing testosterone.

Adopt healthy habits

“Sleep, stress, exercise, and diet often have a bigger impact on testosterone than supplements,” says Calvert. Here’s what to focus on: 

Exercise

A 2021 study of men ages 35 to 40 revealed that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) could increase testosterone levels in men. Consistency seems to be key as the study participants followed an intense exercise program for eight weeks (12).

Maintain a healthy weight

Some research shows that extra body fat, especially around the waist, has been associated with lower testosterone levels (13). Maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise may help support healthy testosterone production.

Prioritize sleep

Getting enough sleep is important for overall health, including testosterone production (14). Research shows that sleep loss has been linked with lowered testosterone levels—specifically when study participants slept less than five hours per night. Log at least seven hours of sleep per night according to the National Sleep Foundation.

Lower stress

Chronic stress can negatively impact hormone levels, including testosterone (15). Try to reduce sources of stress or manage it by adding practices like meditation.

Eat well

A balanced diet packed with vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats can help maintain healthy testosterone production (16).