Walk down any supplement aisle aimed at men and you’ll see fenugreek everywhere. Most of those labels list plain fenugreek seed powder. A smaller number use Testofen®, a branded, standardized fenugreek extract with its own body of human research. This guide covers what Testofen is, what the studies actually found, and how to decide whether it belongs in your routine.
What is Testofen?
Testofen is a patented extract of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum), a plant that has been used in cooking and traditional herbal practice for thousands of years. Raw fenugreek varies a lot from batch to batch. Testofen is standardized to a consistent level of fenugreek saponins, natural plant compounds that researchers believe are responsible for most of its effects. That standardization matters: it means the extract used in the clinical trials is the same extract that goes into a product carrying the Testofen name.
What the research shows
Most of the human research on Testofen has used 600 mg per day in healthy adult men. Two trials come up most often.
Libido and vitality (6 weeks)
A 2011 double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in Phytotherapy Research gave 60 healthy men aged 25 to 52 either Testofen or a placebo for six weeks. Men taking Testofen reported meaningful improvements in libido compared with placebo, and many also reported better energy and general wellbeing. This study measured how men felt, not hormone levels.
Testosterone and sexual function (12 weeks)
A larger 2016 trial in The Aging Male followed 120 healthy middle-aged men for 12 weeks. Compared with placebo, the Testofen group saw greater increases in both total and free testosterone, along with improvements in sexual arousal, drive and frequency of sexual activity. Researchers saw no changes in estrogen or liver function markers, and side effects were rare and mild.
The bigger picture
When researchers pool studies together, the picture is encouraging but modest. A 2020 meta-analysis of four clinical trials concluded that fenugreek extract had a significant effect on total testosterone in men. A 2023 meta-analysis in the International Journal of Sports Medicine looked at seven studies, mostly in men who train. It found a small but real increase in total testosterone. It also found small improvements in strength and lean mass that weren’t statistically conclusive on their own.
The honest takeaway: Testofen is one of the better-studied botanicals for men’s health. The effects are real but modest. It’s best thought of as support for healthy levels that are already in the normal range, not a replacement for sleep, training, nutrition, or a conversation with your doctor.
Who might consider Testofen?
- Healthy adult men who want to support drive, energy and vitality as they get older*
- Men who train regularly and want to support testosterone levels already within the normal range*
- Anyone who would rather use a standardized, clinically studied ingredient than generic fenugreek powder
How to get the most out of it
- Give it time. The studies ran 6 to 12 weeks. Take it consistently for at least that long before you judge results.
- Cover the basics. Seven to nine hours of sleep, regular resistance training, enough protein and calories, and a healthy body weight all have a bigger effect on testosterone than any supplement.
- Take it with food if you have a sensitive stomach.
Safety notes
In clinical trials, Testofen was well tolerated. Fenugreek can occasionally cause mild stomach upset, and some people notice a faint maple-syrup scent in their sweat. Fenugreek is in the legume family, so people with peanut or chickpea allergies should be cautious. Because fenugreek may affect blood sugar, talk to your doctor before using it if you take diabetes medication or blood thinners. Testofen products are intended for adult men; they’re not for use during pregnancy.
Testofen in Upward Nutrition Premium Testosterone
Our Premium Testosterone with Testofen® gives you 600 mg of Testofen® in every 3-capsule serving, the same daily amount used in the clinical studies above, standardized to at least 50% Fenuside™. It pairs that with 200 mg of LJ100®, a standardized tongkat ali (Eurycoma longifolia) extract, plus a 296 mg botanical blend of pumpkin seed, organic saw palmetto, organic maca root, organic fermented cordyceps and American ginseng. Each bottle holds 30 servings. It’s made in the USA in an FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility and third-party tested for quality and purity.
References
- Steels E, Rao A, Vitetta L. Physiological aspects of male libido enhanced by standardized Trigonella foenum-graecum extract and mineral formulation. Phytotherapy Research. 2011;25(9):1294–1300.
- Rao A, Steels E, Inder WJ, Abraham S, Vitetta L. Testofen, a specialised Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract reduces age-related symptoms of androgen decrease, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy aging males in a double-blind randomised clinical study. The Aging Male. 2016;19(2):134–142.
- Mansoori A, Hosseini S, Zilaee M, Hormoznejad R, Fathi M. Effect of fenugreek extract supplement on testosterone levels in male: a meta-analysis of clinical trials. Phytotherapy Research. 2020;34(7):1550–1555.
- Isenmann E, Alisauskas P, Flenker U, Schalla J, Diel P. The anabolic effect of fenugreek: a systematic review with meta-analysis. International Journal of Sports Medicine. 2023;44(10):692–703.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement, especially if you have a medical condition or take medication.
