TestoGen Review: Is It Safe and Effective?

What Is TestoGen?

TestoGen is a testosterone booster that claims to increase muscle size and strength as well as boost libido and sexual performance. This product is designed for men 18 years and older.

The manufacturer claims that taking TestoGen will help to naturally increase your testosterone levels in your body without having to take testosterone itself.

As men age, testosterone levels naturally decline. This can lead to reduced energy, decreased libido, and muscle loss. (1)

While many of the ingredients in TestoGen are considered natural and shown to have minimal side effects, it is unclear if they actually work in the present doses.

It’s also important to keep in mind that “natural” doesn’t necessarily mean safe.

Three research studies are cited on the product website, but two out of the three are from over ten years ago and are very small. This leads me to believe there is no strong evidence to support product claims.

The dosage recommendation is four capsules once per day, 20 minutes before breakfast.

Evaluation of Ingredients

TestoGen contains eleven ingredients. For simplicity’s sake, I will list the top six core ingredients as the others are in very minimal amounts.

1. D-aspartic Acid, 2,352 mg

D-aspartic acid is a unique amino acid that helps to make and release hormones such as testosterone. Because of this, taking more of it is thought to potentially increase testosterone levels in the body.

There are some studies on D-aspartic acid and its potential to boost testosterone, but most of these studies are in animals. (2)

Human studies have shown inconsistent results. For example, one short-term clinical trial showed those taking D-aspartic acid had 42% higher testosterone levels on average. However, this study was only 12 days long. (3)

A longer study conducted over 90 days also showed higher testosterone levels (up to 30–60% higher) in those taking 2,660 mg of D-aspartic acid per day. (4)

The doses given in some studies were over 3,000 mg, which is higher than what is present in TestoGen.

2. Magnesium, 200 mg

Magnesium is a mineral that has many health benefits, including being a powerful antioxidant.

One study showed that magnesium might be involved in maintaining normal levels of anabolic hormones, such as testosterone. (5)

However, this study showed more of an association between magnesium and testosterone levels, meaning those who had lower magnesium levels tended to have low testosterone as well.

It’s rare to be magnesium deficient, and so it’s unclear if taking a magnesium supplement in the absence of a deficiency would offer any benefit.

In those that are magnesium deficient, taking it may help to bring testosterone levels closer to normal. (6)

3. Vitamin D3, 50 mcg

Vitamin D3 is another essential nutrient involved in regulating hormone levels and overall health. Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency is pretty common, which can affect many aspects of health. (7)

There is also a link seen between low vitamin D levels and low testosterone. (8)

One 2011 randomized trial showed that those taking a vitamin D supplement had higher testosterone levels than those who didn’t. (9)

However, the dose given was over 80 micrograms, higher than what is present in TestoGen.

4. Nettle Leaf Extract, 40 mg

Nettle leaf extract, otherwise known as “stinging nettle,” is popular in Western herbal medicine. Some say it may help to increase free testosterone levels in the body.

A few studies have been done on nettle leaf and testosterone levels, but most have been small and mainly animal studies. (10)

Another small 2016 study was done on 20 male college athletes, which found those taking a multi-ingredient supplement containing stinging nettle had increased levels of free testosterone in the body. (11)

5. Korean Red Ginseng Extract, 40 mg

Korean red ginseng is a plant native to China that some say may help improve erectile dysfunction.

A 2018 systematic review shared many studies on Korean red ginseng helping to improve erectile dysfunction. It is said to do this by protecting the blood vessels in the penis from oxidative stress, enabling it to perform more optimally. (12)

Another 2009 randomized controlled trial was done involving 86 men. Those who took 1,000 mg of Korean red ginseng experienced improvements in erectile function and overall satisfaction. However, this dose is significantly higher than what is present in TestoGen. (13)

6. Fenugreek Extract, 40 mg

Fenugreek is a medicinal herb native to India and South Africa. It is said to act as an antioxidant that may also naturally boost testosterone levels.

One small 2010 study found those taking 500 mg of fenugreek daily for eight weeks experienced a slight increase in testosterone levels, as well as improved strength and body fat percentages. (14)

Another 2017 12-week study showed that those taking 500 mg of fenugreek daily had improved testosterone levels. (15)

Both of these studies used a much higher dose than the 40 mg of Fenugreek present in TestoGen.

While some of the ingredients in TestoGen may support energy, libido, and muscle growth, most of the studies are small or in animals.

Therefore, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions from this research to support the manufacturer’s claims.

Cost and Where to Buy

The price of TestoGen is pretty similar to other testosterone boosters on the market.

TestoGen costs $59.00 for a 30-day supply. You can also purchase a 3-month supply and get two additional months free.

This way, a 5-month supply costs $179, which saves close to $30 per month compared to ordering for just one month.

You can purchase TestoGen directly from the manufacturer or on Amazon for essentially the same price.

If you decide to purchase it, I suggest buying it from the company website to secure the 100-day money-back guarantee.

Side Effects, Safety, and Dosage

The dosage recommendation is four capsules once per day, 20 minutes before breakfast.

Overall, TestoGen has a pretty good safety profile, mainly because its ingredient doses are far below the tested levels in the research.

However, there are still a few potential side effects to note.

First, TestoGen contains magnesium, which may cause diarrhea, bloating, or nausea in some people.

However, this is typically more common with certain forms of magnesium, such as magnesium chloride, carbonate, or oxide. It is not clear which form is present in TestoGen. (16)

Second, ginseng has the potential to lower blood pressure, and therefore those on blood pressure medications should proceed with caution. (17)

Taking ginseng at the same time as your blood pressure medications may cause your blood pressure to drop too low.

It may also interact with diabetes or blood-thinning medications like coumadin. (18)

Before starting this product, speak to your medical doctor, especially if you take any prescription medications or have a pre-existing medical condition.

How TestoGen Compares to Alternatives

There are many testosterone boosters on the market, many with similar ingredients to TestoGen.

However, TestoGen is unique because it contains nettle leaf extract, which is not present in most other testosterone boosters I researched.

The ingredients seen in testosterone boosters can vary. However, common ingredients include D-aspartic acid, fenugreek, B-vitamins, amino acids, zinc, ginseng, berry extract, and longjack root.

Test Boost Max and TestoFuel are two other comparable testosterone boosters out there.

Test Boost Max is priced lower than TestoGen – $41 per month compared to $59. It contains ashwagandha and longjack root, two other ingredients that may increase testosterone.

However, the amount of these ingredients is lower than what has been shown to be effective in any studies.

TestoFuel is more costly at $65 per month and has similar efficacy and research to TestoGen. However, TestoFuel’s manufacturer is not as transparent in sharing their scientific team and who helped to create their products.

All in all, TestoGen is pretty comparable to other similar products in that there is not enough strong research to prove it works in the ingredient amounts present.

Based on the available research, most testosterone boosters do not seem to be widely effective in humans for improving testosterone levels.

Frequently Asked Questions About TestoGen

The Bottom Line

TestoGen contains some ingredients that may benefit health. However, most of them are in very low doses compared to what is shown to be effective.

The lower dosage makes me feel less concerned with significant side effects but also makes me question its effectiveness.

If you are worried about your testosterone levels, consult with your physician to see what lifestyle factors or prescription medications you may need. These would likely be more effective.