The testosterone myth arose from: tribulus contains steroidal saponins (protodioscin, dioscin) that were theorized to stimulate LH release → testosterone production. DISPROVEN in humans, protodioscin does not cross the BBB sufficiently to affect hypothalamic GnRH or pituitary LH. The actual sexual function mechanism is likely: (1) PDE5 inhibition (mild, protodioscin has weak PDE5 activity); (2) dopaminergic modulation in brain reward centers (central libido enhancement); (3) NO increase in corpus cavernosum (direct vasodilation, not testosterone-dependent). This explains why libido improves without testosterone change.
No critical interactions identified.
Independently graded against 178,763 indexed supplements and 757 reviewed supplement and medication pairs, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.