Testosterone Boosters FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

• About
• Latest Posts

Doug Brown

Doug is the current Head of Content and Editor at Muxcle.com.

You'll mainly find him in the office writing reviews, researching supplements, or studying the fitness industry. When he's off his leash Doug spends his time in the gym, prepping the next meal or hanging out anywhere people will listen to him talk about fitness.

He is constantly in search for the perfect stack to keep him strong and shredded. He's been researching supplements casually and professionally for over 10 years. You can see more from Doug on his Linkedin profile here.

Find out more about Doug on our About Us page.

You can also follow Doug on Twitter: @TheDougnator

Latest posts by Doug Brown (see all)

• KetoBoss Alpha Titan TESTO GAIN Review - December 18, 2018
• NutraChamps TESTO PRO Review - December 12, 2018
• Zeal Naturals Apple Cider Vinegar Fat Burner Review - December 10, 2018

Over the last few years, Testosterone Boosters have taken over the supplement world. They are now mainstream and in the same league as fat burners, protein powders and pre workouts.

This is both a good thing and a bad thing.

It’s great that they’re more available to the public. More companies can compete with one another to formulate better quality stacks, which drives the standard up and leads more users getting maximum benefit in the gym.

The bad thing is that a lot of people are looking into these supplements without fully understanding them. This can lead to poor results, misuse, health risks, or being sold a product they’re not sure if they want.

It’s concerning, and the main problem is that there’s more product options than actual information out there. If you don’t fully understand what you’re getting into, how can you expect to get the best results from it?

What is this article?

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions we get on Muxcle.com, and we’re answering every single one.

Either scroll through and read them all, or click the question that you’re most interested in from the table of contents below and find what you’re looking for.

It doesn’t stop there either, we plan to keep this list updated and answer anything else that comes through. Enjoy…

Do Testosterone Boosters really work?

If you’re asking this question, you must be new here.

The answer is yes and no. This is because all testosterone boosters are different. It all depends on the ingredients.

If all of the ingredients in a testosterone booster do not have any studies behind them to show that they work, it’s unlikely that it will help to raise your testosterone.

Likewise, if the ingredients all have clinical backing and have been seen in several cases to help improve testosterone levels, it should work for you.

It depends all depends on the individual testosterone booster.

These are the all natural nutrients and minerals that your body loves when it comes to testosterone production and boosting free testosterone levels.

Are Testosterone Boosters steroids?

They are not. If you’re looking at natural testosterone boosters online from supplement websites, or Amazon – these are not steroids.

So, what are they?

Testosterone Boosters are all natural supplements which are made up of selected nutrients and minerals which studies show can help promote testosterone levels.

They’re a natural way to give your testosterone levels a rise and get more out of your workouts and overall results.

We can’t speak for every one of these on the market, but the majority are fine to use in competitive sports too. 99% of the time you’re not going to have a problem with banned substances in your supplement.

How can I be sure?

If you do have any concerns there’s other places you can look for information.

WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) keeps a list of everything that is currently banned both in and out of competition. They’re the regulatory body on all banned substances in sports.

• You can view the full list of substances and methods at: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/content/what-is-prohibited
• Wikipedia also has a simplified version of this list here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_drugs_banned_by_WADA

Are any Testosterone Boosters suitable for Vegetarians/Vegans?

Not all of them – but they can be!

If you’re vegan, there are two things you need to look out for when shopping for a testosterone booster; the capsules and the ingredients.

A lot of the manufacturers out there choose to gelatin capsules, which as you’ll know is meat based. However, if you still like the sound of a supplement, you can open the capsules and mix the powder into some water. You won’t be taking in any meat product (if there isn’t any in the ingredients) and you’ll still be getting the same benefits.

As for the ingredients, you need to be on the lookout for any animal based options. Deer Antler Velvet, Orchic Extract, Oyster Extract, Lipase are just that we know of that come up regularly. When it comes to supplements, animal products can be more common than you think.

Always research the ingredients first before making any purchases.

What are the benefits of taking Testosterone Boosters?

Typically it depends on the type of testosterone booster you’re using. Different companies claim different things, but in our experience there are really only two kinds of T-Booster out there.

There are testosterone boosters for building muscle mass and bodybuilding, and testosterone boosters for improving your sex drive. Some have a little of both, but it mainly comes down to one of those two.

The marketing material for the product will make it fairly obvious which type of testosterone booster it is.

Muscle Boosters

For a muscle booster, they’ll claim to have the following benefits:

• More Muscle Mass – They’ll help with improving your muscle size, density and how fast you recover after a workout.
• Better Lifts – They can help with your strength, which in turn improves your power output in the gym which can help with overall lifts and endurance when in the gym.
• Better Physique – Increased testosterone levels can actually improve fat loss [1]. By raising your T-levels, you can trim your waistline and give your muscles more pleasing shape.

Those are the main benefits in short, and these are the supplements that are usually targeted to the younger man. If you’re in your 20’s – 40’s, this will be the type of supplement you’ll be coming across.

Male Health Supplements

Whereas the other type of testosterone booster are more for the 40’s and over. The type of man who is still training in the gym, but is ‘feeling their age’ a little more.

These ‘male-health’ types of supplements help:

• Boost Energy and Focus – Improving testosterone levels to help keep you sharp, while still giving you energy to train in the gym.
• Better Sex Drive – Supporting your male hormones to still bring it to the bedroom with more youthful enthusiasm.
• Happier Mood – With age your testosterone levels drop, and this can also affect your mood. Bringing in some natural support may improve your outlook and keep you more motivated throughout the day.

This should give you a good idea if a testosterone booster is right for you. If you’re looking for improvements in the gym, or your everyday lifestyle, they could be what you’re looking for.

References in this answer:

[1] Ng Tang Fui M, et al. Effects of testosterone treatment on body fat and lean mass in obese men on a hypocaloric diet: a randomised controlled trial. BMC Medicine. 2016;14:153–164. doi: 10.1186/s12916-016-0700-9. [Link]

Do I need a Testosterone Booster?

This depends entirely on your circumstances. If anything in the question above appealed to you, a natural testosterone booster could be just what you need.

For the Gym

One of the main reasons people turn to testosterone boosters (especially the muscle builders) is when they hit a plateau with their workouts.

A plateau is when you hit a peak in your performance and can’t seem to work past it. Usually it’s a specific lift like bench press, squat or dead lift. In other cases it’s not hitting a certain time in a cardio activity like running or cycling.

A testosterone booster can help here because it gives your body more support through natural minerals and nutrients to produce more of the male hormone. The added benefit of this can help your muscles go that extra mile to give you what you need to succeed.

For Your Lifestyle

Another option that you may be turning to a testosterone booster is because you’re not feeling how you used to.

Low libido can sometimes be why guys look into testosterone boosters. This is completely normal, but it shouldn’t be your first choice.

Sometimes these problems can be resolved with good diet and exercise. High sugar diets can cause dips in testosterone levels [1] as can stress.

There are numerous factors that could be at play there, especially if you’re older and have the stresses of a career and a family to look after. Looking into lifestyle factors first could save you money, and also give your health an added boost.

References in this answer:

[1] Chen L, Xie Y-M, Pei J-H, et al. Sugar-sweetened beverage intake and serum testosterone levels in adult males 20–39 years old in the United States. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology : RB&E. 2018;16:61. doi:10.1186/s12958-018-0378-2. [Link]

Will a Testosterone Booster work if I don’t work out?

We find it very unlikely. You’re not going to see any results if you’re not going to work for it.

One of the main reasons and good testosterone booster works well is because it helps with testosterone production.

Testosterone production is affected greatly by your lifestyle and lifting weights is a good way to ensure your body makes a lot of it. This is where Testosterone Boosters help out, they give your body all the resources it needs to do this job as effectively as possible.

By giving your body everything it needs to do the best possible job, you’ll start to see results that reflect that. If you’re not pushing your body to do more, it won’t work harder to pull on those resources.

In our personal opinion, this is why you see posts online that claim all testosterone booster do not work. They’re not putting in the effort to see the results.

However, it’s not just working out, dieting right helps too. Certain aspects of your diet like sugars can greatly affect and lower your testosterone levels.

As long as you’re training hard and dieting sensibly, you’ll see results.

When should I NOT use a Testosterone Booster?

Although many websites will tell you that ANYONE can take a testosterone booster, this is not the case.

There are several reasons why a testosterone booster may not be the right option for you. These are cases where you won’t get the benefits, or worse yet, actually suffer from using them.

We’ve made a short list of the main reasons why you may not want a supplement like this.

Pre-Existing Medical Conditions

We are not doctors, and we have never, at any point, claimed to be. But what we do know, is that you have any medical conditions which are sensitive to what you eat, drink or govern how you act or exercise throughout the day – you may not want to use a testosterone booster.

There is a chance that it could work against your conditions by how it affects you hormonally, or interfere with any medication you may be taking.

We’re going to make a blanket statement: if you have any health concerns, you should speak to your doctor before using a testosterone booster.

You’re Still New to Training

If you’ve only been training in the gym for a few weeks or months, there’s a high chance you haven’t got close to your natural potential yet.

By this we mean, if you’re constantly seeing progress in the gym in both your lifts and physique, you’re unlikely to need a testosterone booster yet. Your body is working as it should and you’re seeing results.

After the ‘noob gains’ have worn off, and every pound of muscle gained becomes a struggle – that’s when you should start looking into testosterone boosters. They’ll help you get that extra boost you need to keep making steady progress.

You’re Not Training Enough

If you’re only hitting the gym maybe once or twice a week, you’ll be wasting your time with a testosterone booster.

You’re unlikely to see much progress from not training that often in the gym. They’re not magic pills, their nutrients and minerals that help support an on-going process. If the process isn’t happening in the first place, you’re not going to notice much of a difference.

Now, if you’re training hard 3, 4 or more times a week, your body is going to be under constant pressure to grow. Make sure you’re training hard, and correctly and the support of a testosterone booster could be just what you need.

You’re Don’t Have a Good Diet

Likewise with your diet. If you’re idea of nutrition includes a lot of junk food, soda and sugar – you’ll be dooming your testosterone levels.

Research your diet, balance your macros, and try to keep things as clean as possible. Putting bad food in is just more work for your body. They’ll work against the testosterone booster, all that junk will negatively affect your testosterone and hold back your progress.

Make sure you’re eating clean and helping your body every way you can to get you closer to your goals. It’s definitely harder, but the results are far better.

You Don’t Want to Spend Money

This is a common problem for most people. Supplements can get expensive and with at testosterone booster, you’re in it for the long haul.

We say this as most people get the best benefits out of testosterone boosters once they’re a month or two into using them – and the best ones start at around $40.00 USD and go up from there.

If you want to pay less, you can, but manage your expectations. We’ve seen some testosterone boosters on Amazon for $12.00 USD but the quality and ingredient choices are far from impressive and in some cases dangerous.

Who takes Testosterone Boosters?

There are many types of people that take testosterone boosters. Testosterone is a great hormone and helps with physical activity, health, mood, and more.

You’ll generally see testosterone boosters used by:

• Bodybuilders
• Weight Lifters
• Power Lifters
• Cross Fitters
• Strongmen
• American Football Players
• Basket Ball Players
• Runners
• Cyclists

And more. Generally, if you’re into fitness chances are there’s someone in your sport that uses a T-Booster.

As we’ve covered in an earlier question it can also be used by older men for help with sex drive, mood and general health.

One of the most notable guys we know who takes testosterone boosters is Hollywood actor Dolph Lundgren:

There’s a whole range of guys in different sports, ages and lifestyle using them.

Can Women take Testosterone Boosters?

Definitely. A lot of women have asked us this question with the idea that using a testosterone booster may cause them to become more ‘manly’.

We’ve had female readers fear that it may cause facial hair, a deeper voice and numerous other problems. If you’re worried about this too, you shouldn’t be.

Testosterone Boosters do not have that effect on women. You’re thinking of anabolic steroids, which definitely do.

Testosterone Boosters are all natural supplements that give your body the minerals and nutrients it needs to produce your body’s optimum amount of testosterone. Essentially it allows your body to make the most testosterone that it can naturally.

This means you’ll stay within a ‘female range’ of testosterone. You won’t develop any manly features, but you will get stronger, develop more muscle mass, recover faster and have an improved libido.

These supplements help get you closer to your natural physical limit as a female – not overtake it.

If you’re training hard and can’t seem to improve anymore on your lifts, a testosterone booster may be your next step.

What are the side effects of taking Testosterone Boosters?

This is not a fair question, and we’re surprised it isn’t discussed more often.

Why isn’t it a fair question?

Because not all testosterone boosters are the same. Many of them have similar claims, but a lot of the ingredient profiles are totally different.

It’s the equivalent of asking what side effects drinks have.

The side effects of a testosterone booster depend entirely on their ingredients. Some are 100% different, right down to the capsule their placed inside.

For the most part, most natural testosterone boosters don’t have any negative side effects. But obviously that doesn’t apply to all of them.

We are currently putting together an article on the worst ingredients in the industry along with what side effects they cause.

When that’s ready, we’ll link it to this answer.

What indicates a SAFE testosterone booster?

A good indication of whether a testosterone booster (or any supplement) is safe, is if it was manufactured in a FDA and CGMP approved facility.

What is the FDA?

If you’re from the United States of America, you’ll be more than familiar with the FDA. For those who aren’t, the FDA is the Food and Drug Administration.

They ensure the safety, purity and security of food, drugs, medical devices and other goods available on the market. In short they ensure that goods are safe for consumption.

They inspect and approve facilities all over to ensure they are up to standard and give the consumer the safest possible outcome. Having a supplement which came from one of these facilities is a very good sign.

What is CGMP?

CGMP stands for Current Good Manufacturing Practices. This a standard set by the FDA that drugs must be made to. Failure do so means the facility does not earn the approval of the FDA.

CGMPs are a range of regulations that ensures purity, safety, quality and numerous other factors of drugs.

This is FDA’s way of protecting you from taking anything dangerous and ensuring that a manufacturer is making their supplement in the safest possible way.

Always look for CGMP and FDA approval when considering a supplement, even if it isn’t a testosterone booster.

Ensure the Location

Aside from FDA and CGMP approval, you also want to know where a supplement was manufactured. The USA and UK have a great reputation for supplement manufacturing, China and India however have a different story.

With the more distance you put between your supplement and the FDA the more of a risk you take. There’s a risk of contamination, and some potentially dangerous chemicals getting into the mix. Try to ensure you’re getting your supplement from a reputable source.

For more information on the FDA and CGMP, check out the links below:

• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (Link)
• FDA Homepage (Link)

What are the best Testosterone Boosters on the Market?

We have to be honest, our answer to this question is entirely subjective based on our experiences and research.

This website does have a list of what we deem to be the best testosterone boosters on the market, but we are known to change it up.

We’ve listed the current top 3 testosterone boosters on Muxcle.com below:

Rating

Price

Money Back Guarantee

Ships Internationally

Supports Muscle Growth

Produces Testosterone

Increases Free Testosterone

Boosts Sex Drive

Well Balanced Servings

No Side Effects

No Proprietary Blends

Made in cGMP and FDA Approved Facilities

Link to Review

Company Website

TestoFuel

Current #1

$65.00

(Discounts on Multi-Box Orders)

FULL REVIEW

TestoFuel.com

Prime Male

Current #2

$69.00
(Discounts on Multi-Box Orders)

Full Review

PrimeMale.com

Performance Lab Sport T-Booster

Current #3

$50.00
(Discounts on Multi-Box Orders)

Full Review

PerformanceLab.com

New products are always coming out, so we tend to update it regularly.

• See our current list of the best testosterone boosters on the market

There are various aspects we consider when selecting the best testosterone booster on the market. The main things we look at are the ingredients, servings and how safe it is. Other aspects we also consider are value for money, company reputation and money-back guarantees that the manufacturer offers you.

 What’s your opinion on Amazon Reviews?

It’s big. Very big. Discussing it in this FAQ would completely derail the rest of this article.

If you’re interested, we’ve prepared a full report into our findings when it comes to Amazon reviews. In it, we look into how they’re being manipulated, how many may be fake, and how you can identify a false review.

You can read our full piece on it below:

• Full Report: Can You Trust Supplement Reviews on Amazon?

Can I stack a Testosterone Booster with other supplements?

You can, but you just need to check what you’re stacking it with is not another testosterone booster or worse yet, a ZMA.

Most supplements are safe to use and stack with one another, however, some of them use the same ingredients.

Testosterone Boosters and ZMAs both use a lot of Zinc and Magnesium. Stacking them together could give you more of these minerals than your body bargained for. In doing so, it could cause an upset stomach and other problems.

What can I stack with a Testosterone Booster?

Pre Workouts, Fat Burners, Nootropics, Prebiotics. Essentially, anything that doesn’t have a high amount of what’s already in the testosterone booster that you decide to use.

They shouldn’t interfere and many are formulated with them being stacked in mind.

Just always make sure you read the label first. You can get too much of a good thing, and this can lead to side effects. Be careful.

Do Testosterone Boosters boost sex drive?

It depends on what type you’re using. But typically yes.

A lot of ingredients that are used in testosterone boosters do have links to improving libido and sex drive.

Oyster extract is a famously known as an aphrodisiac, whereas Fenugreek [1] also has links to improving libido, the same goes with Red Ginseng [2].

Testosterone is after all, the male sex hormone. It has close links to improving sex drive and erection quality.

References for this answer:

[1] Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytother Res. 2011;25:1294–1300. [Link]

[2] Leung KW, Wong AS. Ginseng and male reproductive function. Spermatogenesis. 2013;3(3):e26391. doi:10.4161/spmg.26391. [Link]

Can Testosterone Boosters help me grow a beard?

It pains us to say this, but no. Testosterone Boosters will not help you grow a beard.

The problem is that your beard needs a different type of testosterone to grow, a hormone known as DHT. Natural testosterone boosters help more with your serum and free testosterone levels, which is a different form of the hormone.

DHT has its benefits such as helping with facial hair growth, contributes to muscle growth like normal testosterone, and can even help deepen your voice.

However, you shouldn’t go looking to improve you DHT levels in a hurry.

Although it could help you grow a beard, DHT also contributes a lot to male pattern baldness. [1]

References for this answer:

[1] Urysiak-Czubatka I, Kmieć ML, Broniarczyk-Dyła G. Assessment of the usefulness of dihydrotestosterone in the diagnostics of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Advances in Dermatology and Allergology/Postȩpy Dermatologii i Alergologii. 2014;31(4):207-215. doi:10.5114/pdia.2014.40925. (Link)

How long do Testosterone Boosters take to work?

A lot of supplement websites will tell you that testosterone boosters take only a matter of days before you start feeling the benefits.

But is this true?

There is a degree of truth to it, but nothing major. Your body chemistry will start to change, but it’s not enough for you to see results right away. It’ll take a few months before you’ll notice the changes.

This is why you see many supplies offering 3 and 4 month supplies, they know how long it takes.

It’s not a magic pill that gives you the results you’re looking for in under few weeks. Ideally, you have to use them for 2 months or more before you start seeing any real improvements.

How many servings should a Testosterone Booster have a day?

As long as they are dosed to handle it, you should be looking for a testosterone booster that has between 3 – 4 servings a day.

Sometimes however, it’s unavoidable, especially when it’s a nighttime T-Booster, those you’re told to only have before you go to bed. But ideally, you want to be chasing a testosterone booster that has multiple servings a day.

Why is this?

A single serving will only give you a few hours of benefit. That’s how long it typically stays active for, especially when it comes to natural supplements.

This means your testosterone levels are not getting the full support they need to stay boosted throughout the day. Overtime this can lead to higher and more potent testosterone levels which can benefit your muscle mass, strength and general health.

Does it matter when you take a Testosterone Booster?

It depends what’s in it, supplements like this usually digest better with food. Especially if it contains an ingredient like D-Aspartic Acid.

For example, if you have four servings a day; breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack either before bed, or between meals would usually the best option.

The food will help it all digest together and get absorbed in your system faster and more effectively.

What are the best and worst ingredients in Testosterone Boosters?

This question is worth two articles in itself. Both of which are absolutely huge. If you’re interested to see what you should be looking for in a testosterone booster (and what you shouldn’t!) everything you need are in the links below:

• Testosterone Boosters: The Ingredients that Work
• Testosterone Boosters: Worst Ever Ingredients

We’ll update this section again when the best ingredients article is completed.

How much should I pay for a Testosterone Booster?

It depends what you’re looking for in terms of quality. From what we’ve seen, the best options start at around the $40.00 USD mark and can go as high as $80.00 USD per bottle.

To get the most out of your cash, we suggest you look for any supplement manufacturers that offer any discounts on multi-box deals and supply you with a money-back guarantee. That way, the risk is on them if you decide that the product isn’t for you.

There are numerous suppliers online that provide these kind of benefits, you just have to look for them. One thing is for sure, you’re not going to find a deal like that with any $10.00 USD a bottle Amazon product.

Stay between the $40 – $80 USD per bottle area. That’s where you start getting into the real brands and seeing the best results.

Testosterone Booster FAQ: Email Us Your Questions!

So far, that’s all the questions we’ve answered. But we’re not stopping there. We want to make this the biggest FAQ for Testosterone Boosters on the internet.

If you’ve got a question that you don’t think we’ve answered, send us an email (contact [at] muxcle.com) and we’ll add it to the FAQ. Please remember to mention this article so we know why you’re sending it.