Testosterone-Booster and Sexual Enhancement Dietary Supplements
What are testosterone-booster and sexual enhancement dietary supplements?
Testosterone-booster and sexual enhancement products are dietary supplements marketed to naturally boost or support testosterone levels, build muscle, enhance endurance, and improve physical or sexual performance.
- These products frequently claim to “stimulate muscle growth,” “enhance lean muscle mass and strength,” “support sexual health and vitality,” “promote male performance,” or “boost drive and stamina.”
The labels of these dietary supplements often list combinations of ingredients, including “proprietary blends.” Some common ingredients are:
- Vitamins, minerals, and amino acids (such as vitamin D, boron, zinc, D-aspartic acid and L-arginine).
- Other ingredients including ashwagandha, Fadogia agrestis, fenugreek, ginseng, horny goat weed, saw palmetto, shilajit, tongkat ali, Tribulus terrestris, yohimbe and yohimbine.
Is there evidence to support dietary supplement claims?
Although some ingredients (such as ashwagandha, tongkat ali, and fenugreek) may have promising potential to increase testosterone levels, available studies are often limited by small sample sizes or use of proprietary extracts.
- A proprietary extract is a special and unique formula created by a company, so study results for that specific ingredient may not apply to other products.
- Further research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of these ingredients.
Claims for other ingredients rely on preliminary or inconsistent data. There is no scientific evidence to show that any combination of dietary supplement ingredients can effectively boost testosterone levels or enhance sexual performance.
Safety and Considerations
Testosterone-booster and sexual enhancement dietary supplements carry a higher risk of contamination and adulteration. Consuming contaminated and adulterated dietary supplements can lead to harmful health effects or a positive drug test.
- Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Many products that claim to help with sexual enhancement or treat sexual dysfunction, such as male enhancement supplements, erectile dysfunction treatments, male energy pills and stamina pills, are likely to be contaminated with dangerous hidden ingredients.”
- Some examples of known hidden ingredients are sildenafil and tadalafil (which are prescription drugs and not legal dietary supplement ingredients), synthetic anabolic steroids, and yohimbine.
- Please see FDA’s Sexual Enhancement and Energy Products Notifications page for a list of contaminated and adulterated products on the market.
There are a few reports of liver injuries and other adverse events associated with the use of these dietary supplement products and ingredients.
These dietary supplements should not be confused with testosterone replacement therapy or other prescription medications. Service Members who suspect they have low testosterone levels or sexual health concerns should consult a military healthcare provider for proper screening and medical evaluation. For more information on testosterone-related medical care, please visit the Testosterone Q&A landing page.
Bottom Line
- Testosterone-booster and sexual enhancement dietary supplements are often promoted to naturally raise testosterone levels, increase muscle mass, and improve performance.
- There is insufficient scientific evidence to support the marketing claims of these products.
- These dietary supplements are at higher risk of contamination or adulteration with hidden ingredients.
- Service Members should choose a dietary supplement product with a third-party certification seal from OPSS well-vetted organizations.
Updated 08 October 2026
