Fenugreek for Libido And Sexual Function

Research suggests that fenugreek may support libido and sexual function in both men and women, with the broader evidence base including one meta-analysis, three randomized controlled trials, and two smaller pilot studies pointing generally in a positive direction, though with some caveats. In women, a placebo-controlled trial found that a standardized fenugreek extract was associated with increases in free testosterone and estradiol alongside self-reported improvements in sexual desire and arousal, and a 2018 meta-analysis identified fenugreek among a subset of phytoestrogens linked to improved sexual function in menopausal women — notably distinguishing it from compounds like soy and red clover that showed little benefit. In men, a placebo-controlled trial reported improvements in sexual arousal and orgasm with a fenugreek extract, though hormone levels were not significantly changed, and a separate open-label study reported substantial increases in free testosterone and sperm quality but lacked a control group, limiting how firmly those findings can be interpreted. Studies involving combination products — where fenugreek was paired with other ingredients — showed mixed or promising preliminary results but make it difficult to isolate fenugreek's specific contribution, and across the board, the relatively small sample sizes and short study durations mean the overall evidence, while encouraging, remains preliminary.