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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Maca vs Tribulus: they're closely matched on evidence (5.5 vs 5.5/10); they're alternatives for menopause support — the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Maca and Tribulus are closely matched across evidence, studies, and safety.
Verdict
Too few graded studies
1 of 1 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Verdict
Likely helps
3 of 3 studies with measurable effects showed benefit.
Top outcomes
Shared outcomes (3)
Outcomes where both Maca and Tribulus have evidence — compare verdict strength side-by-side.
1500-3000mg (a typical label dose, not the dose used in the cited trial, which gave 2.25 g twice a day for 12 weeks)
Morning or early afternoon, With food
Gelatinized maca powder (easier to digest)
250-750mg daily (standardized to 45-60% saponins)
With meals, Morning or divided doses
Extract standardized to 45-60% saponins (protodioscin)
6-12 weeks
4-8 weeks
4-8 weeks
2-4 weeks
4-8 weeks
N/A
Effects of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on Physical Performance in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Nutrients (2024) · Meta analysis
A systematic review of 21 randomised studies of maca in animals and humans, 16 of them pooled in a meta-analysis. The abstract pools animal and human studies and does not report human results separately.
A review of the study of active components and their pharmacology value in Lepidium meyenii (Maca)
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2021) · Review
Additionally, the research on the change of active components in Maca at different growth stages by MS will be beneficial to full utilization of active components in Maca and other natural resources.
Enhancement of Interferon-γ Secretion by Lepidium meyenii Extract Supplementation After Exhaustive Endurance Exercise in Healthy Men: A Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
International journal of medical sciences (2025) · Rct · n=20
Regarding the main time effect, the number of lymphocytes in all participants was significantly lower at 2 and 4 hours after exercise than before supplementation.
Effects of Tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L.) Supplementation on Erectile Dysfunction and Testosterone Levels in Men-A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials
Nutrients (2025) · Systematic review · n=483
10 studies (9 clinical trials and 1 study without a control) with 483 men in total, aged 16 to 70.
Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: Analysis of Marketed Products, Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Rational Use
Nutrients (2023) · Meta analysis
Based on the scoring system, 2 (8%) supplements matched with the cluster of higher expected efficacy, 3 (12%) with the lower efficacy cluster and 20 (80%) matched with the criterion of no expected efficacy.
Beneficial effects of natural products on female sexual dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2021) · Meta analysis
536 studies were identified and 20 met the criteria. The abstract gives no participant total.
Both Maca and Tribulus are closely matched — the best choice depends on your specific health goals.
For menopause support, Maca has a higher relevance score (85 vs 15).
No documented interaction was found in the data searched. This does not establish that this exact combination is safe.
CoQ10, zinc, selenium, carnitine modestly help sperm parameters — but live-birth evidence is weak.
Hot flashes, bone, sleep, muscle — the basics that hold up vs the phytoestrogen hype.
The transition years (40s): cycle changes, mood, sleep, brain fog — foundations, vitex, and starting muscle work early.
Mostly hype unless you’re deficient — what has modest evidence vs what doesn’t, and when to see a doctor.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.