PlainPill

Horny Goat Weed

People mainly take Horny Goat Weed for libido. Based on 63 first-hand reports and 3 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #395 of 1,974 overall.

30
User score
Mixed
19% positive10% mixed10% negative62% unclear

Of reports that state an outcome, 49% are positive.

Clinical research
BModerate research base
3
meta-analyses
0
RCTs
30
papers

What Horny Goat Weed does, according to users

Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.

What the research says

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.

BModerate research base

At least one meta-analysis, or 5+ randomized controlled trials. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.

J Sex Med · 2019 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
An Analysis of Popular Online Erectile Dysfunction Supplements

Conclusion: Our investigation revealed that human studies evaluating the efficacy of ED-S ingredients are limited and have yielded no definitive findings of the effects on ED. Patients considering ED-S use should receive appropriate counseling, given the prevalence of disingenuous reviews and the ready availability of Food and Drug Administration-approved drug therapies. Balasubramanian A, Thirumavalavan N, Srivatsav A, et al. An Analysis of Popular Online Erectile Dysfunction Supplements. J Sex Med 2019;16:843-852.

PubMed 31036522 ↗
Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand) · 2017 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
The antiosteoporosis effect of icariin in ovariectomized rats: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Conclusion: Based on these results, the presnet study suggested that icariin might possess substantial antiosteoporosis effect in ovariectomized rats. Safety studies and large randomized clinical trials are needed to further support possible clinical applications of icariin in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

PubMed 29208188 ↗
Int J Impot Res · 2021 · Meta-analysis / systematic review
A systematic review and evidence-based analysis of ingredients in popular male testosterone and erectile dysfunction supplements

Conclusion: Overall, 69% of ingredients in testosterone supplements and 52% of ingredients in ED supplements have published RCT evidence. Many male supplements claim to improve testosterone or ED parameters; however, there is limited evidence, which should be considered when counseling patients.

PubMed 32358510 ↗

Dosage people report

As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.

10%for a month
once a week before sexas reported
dailyas reported
50% extractalternating days
1 gas reported
from time to timeas reported

Reported side effects

How often each side effect came up across all reports.

libido loss ×1soreness ×1

What users say

Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.

“Tribulus Terrestris, and horny goat weed. Those will help.”
Source discussion ↗
“I vaguely recall hearing of something called horny goat weed which might help, a scam?”
Source discussion ↗
“I take nootropics dept TA 10%,HGW 50%, cistanche, ginseng and Tribulus”
Source discussion ↗
“I've heard people have had success with horny goat weed”
Source discussion ↗
“D Aspartic Acid and Horney Goat Weed might be worth a look, also DHEA.”
Source discussion ↗
Top discussions (5)

Other options for libido

User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate