FAQ: The Benefits and Mechanism of Tongkat Ali [Part 2]

Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) is an herbal supplement studied for its potential to support healthy testosterone levels, libido, and male reproductive wellness. This article summarizes common questions about how Tongkat Ali may influence libido, hormones, and overall male vitality.

Libido, Male Sexuality, and Fertility

37. Can Tongkat Ali Help Reverse Libido or Testosterone Issues Caused by Finasteride?

There’s no direct evidence that Tongkat Ali can reverse sexual desire or testosterone issues caused by finasteride. However, most studies show it supports improved testosterone levels, so if reduced libido is linked to low testosterone, it may help address the problem [1].

38. Does Tongkat Ali Actually Help With Low Libido or Erectile Function?

Yes. Tongkat Ali directly influences testosterone, the key sex hormone, so low libido caused by reduced levels may be improved [10]. Additionally, by easing stress and enhancing mood, it helps users feel more relaxed—further supporting better sexual desire.

39. Can Tongkat Ali Help Restore Libido After Lifestyle Improvements Like Better Sleep, Diet, and Exercise?

Yes. Alongside proper use of this herb, combining it with a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle can make the effects faster and more noticeable, as all these factors support testosterone production and stability in the body [2].

40. Why Do I Feel More Confident, Energetic, and Motivated When Taking Tongkat Ali?

This herb helps improve mood by lowering cortisol—the hormone tied to stress, low energy, and poor confidence—while also providing eurypeptides. With the right daily dosage and consistent use under medical guidance, you’ll likely feel more energized, confident, and relaxed over time.

41. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Fertility?

Absolutely. Tongkat Ali may boost fertility by improving sperm quality and restoring testosterone—key for male sexual health, reducing risks of low libido and erectile dysfunction [12]. However, avoid overuse, as excessive intake could interfere with the body’s natural hormone production.

42. Does Tongkat Ali Have Any Long-Term Impact on Fertility or Reproductive Hormones?

Current scientific evidence shows no strong or conclusive long-term effects of Tongkat Ali (Eurycoma longifolia) on fertility or reproductive hormones in humans.

For those concerned about long-term fertility or hormonal health, it is advisable to consult healthcare professionals and use herbal supplements with caution, especially at high doses or over extended periods.

43. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Size?

Tongkat Ali does not directly increase body size, but contributes to improving bone and muscle strength. Thereby, users can support the training process to increase height, increase muscle,...

Moreover, Tongkat Ali has the ability to increase testosterone - an important hormone for the development of muscle mass in men, indirectly maintaining muscle and developing height and weight.

44. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Testicular Size?

Tongkat Ali does not show any effect on the size of male reproductive organs, but only supports activity and function. Normally, testicular size depends on many factors such as each person's constitution, genetics, environmental temperature, age, health status,...

45. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Libido?

Tongkat Ali helps increase sexual desire, especially in men, when it helps increase testosterone levels. At the same time, this herb also limits stress - a common cause of decreased sexual desire or erectile dysfunction.

46. Why Don’t I Feel a Boost in Sex Drive From Tongkat Ali Even Though I’m Young?

There are many reasons why you don't have sexual desire. Typically, psychological, underlying health conditions, poor diet leading to sperm production, testicular function problems,...

And testosterone deficiency and stress are just some of them. If related to these two factors, using Tongkat Ali can partially support, but other reasons may not give the expected results.

47. How Strong Are the Libido and Sexual Performance Effects Reported With Tongkat Ali?

Tongkat Ali is not a definitive solution that works best if you have problems with sexual desire or performance, but rather a supportive approach. To improve, it is best to consult a doctor to determine the exact cause, from which to have an appropriate treatment.

48. Does Tongkat Ali Improve Libido and Sexual Performance Consistently?

The results of how Tongkat Ali affects each person's sexual health depends on many factors. At the same time, the number of studies confirming the benefits of improving sexual desire and ability with this herb is also quite limited.

49. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Sperm Count?

Maybe. Tongkat Ali contains many bioactives that have the effect of improving the quantity, even the quality and viability of sperm.

A 2010 study on 350 patients with spontaneous infertility, using 200mg of extract/day, 3 times/month and for 9 months, gave quite positive results when 75 patients improved this condition [12].

50. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Dopamine?

Yes, studies suggest that compounds in Tongkat Ali may positively influence dopamine levels — a neurotransmitter closely associated with mood and motivation.

One study found that Tongkat Ali extract administered to rats increased dopamine concentrations in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus (Ezzat, et al. 2019) [13].

This effect is attributed to a compound called eurycomanone, which supports dopamine production, potentially enhancing mood and focus.

However, most of these findings are derived from experimental models, and the specific effects in humans still require further confirmation through controlled investigation.

51. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Nitric Oxide?

So far, there is no clear evidence that Tongkat Ali directly increases nitric oxide (NO) in the body. Therefore, its vascular effects, particularly those related to vasodilation, appear to occur through different pathways rather than the NO-mediated mechanism. 

An animal model confirmed this, showing that NO elevation was not associated with Tongkat Ali (RH, et al. 2014) [14].

This suggests that the health-related benefits of Tongkat Ali, such as improved erectile function, testosterone regulation, and antioxidant activity, are likely achieved through other mechanisms, including enzyme inhibition, modulation of calcium ion release, and hormone regulation — rather than through direct NO enhancement. 

However, more human studies are needed to confirm whether Tongkat Ali affects nitric oxide levels.

52. Is There Solid Scientific Evidence Supporting Tongkat Ali’s Effects on Testosterone or Mood?

Yes. There is evidence supporting Tongkat Ali’s effects on testosterone and mood, although the strength of the findings varies across populations and outcomes. 

Many of the studies cited earlier show that it can raise testosterone and lower stress hormones, particularly in individuals with low testosterone or chronic stress.

However, the effects may be less pronounced—or absent—in younger, healthy men. Research also suggests potential benefits for mood states such as tension, anger, and confusion, along with improvements in physical strength.

Additionally, a trial combining Tongkat Ali with multivitamins showed improvements in psychological measures (not statistically significant between groups, but with a positive trend), supporting its potential role in enhancing quality of life and mood (George et al., 2018) [25].

53. Why Do Some Users Experience Depression or Low Energy After Long-Term Use?

The exact reason is unclear. Feelings of low energy or depressive symptoms may arise from various factors and are not necessarily caused by Tongkat Ali.

Psychological stress, lifestyle patterns, inadequate rest, or environmental factors may all contribute. Therefore, these symptoms should not automatically be attributed to Tongkat Ali use.

54. Does Low Cortisol or Low Estrogen Cause Depression While Using Tongkat Ali?

Neither low cortisol nor low estrogen directly causes depression in the context of Tongkat Ali use. On the contrary, Tongkat Ali is generally shown to improve mood by lowering cortisol and raising testosterone.

As for estrogen, in men it is normally low, and further reductions caused by Tongkat Ali have not been shown to negatively impact mood.

Depressive symptoms after long-term use are more likely related to complex hormonal adjustments or individual variability, not a single hormone. In any case, if such symptoms occur, discontinuation and professional consultation are advised.

Other Hormones: Estrogen, SHBG, Cortisol, Dopamine, and Nitric Oxide

55. How Does Tongkat Ali Affect Testosterone, Estrogen, SHBG, and Cortisol Levels?

When consumed, Tongkat Ali works by lowering SHBG, cortisol, and estrogen, which helps increase both total and free testosterone.

Research also shows it may enhance the HPG axis, stimulate Leydig cells to produce more testosterone, and inhibit aromatase—the enzyme that converts testosterone (Gulnur Kizilay, 2021).

56. Does Tongkat Ali Block Estrogen?

Yes, Tongkat Ali appears to influence estrogen activity in men by reducing its synthesis and metabolism. This occurs indirectly through inhibition of aromatase, an enzyme that converts testosterone into estrogen.

In other words, compounds in Tongkat Ali exhibit anti-estrogenic properties, suppressing the activity of this enzyme, helping balance androgen and estrogen levels, supporting testosterone concentrations, and potentially aiding male reproductive function (Low et al. 2013) [3].

For example, an animal study showed that standardized Tongkat Ali extract demonstrated anti-estrogenic activity by reducing the risk of uterine hypertrophy induced by synthetic estrogen (Rehman et al. 2016) [4].

This indicates that Tongkat Ali may counteract some estrogenic effects through aromatase inhibition and resistance to exogenous estrogen, contributing to hormone balance.

That said, most available data are centered on hormone changes in men or deficiency models. In humans, there is not yet sufficient evidence to confirm a direct reduction of estrogen levels by Tongkat Ali.

57. Does Tongkat Ali Lower SHBG?

Yes, but the effect is generally minimal. Most human investigations to date indicate that Tongkat Ali does not significantly impact SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) levels in the blood.

A review summarizing available data reported that in 6 out of 9 trials, no meaningful change in SHBG was observed after supplementation (Leisegang et al. 2022) [17].

However, 3 out of 9 studies did note a modest reduction or slight variation in SHBG, which could indirectly increase free testosterone.

Still, the overall effect was not consistent or strongly significant. This suggests there may be some potential for Tongkat Ali to influence SHBG, but stronger confirmation is still needed.

58. Does Tongkat Ali Lower Cortisol?

Yes, Tongkat Ali has been associated with lowering cortisol levels. Evidence indicates that Tongkat Ali may help reduce cortisol in individuals experiencing mild stress.

For instance, a study (Talbott et al. 2013) [18] found that daily supplementation of 200 mg for 4 weeks resulted in a roughly 16% decrease in cortisol levels, suggesting a possible role in stress hormone balance.

However, not all findings align. Another investigation (Antonio, et al. 2024) [19] conducted on resistance-trained individuals using 400 mg/day for 4 weeks did not observe any significant difference in cortisol between the Tongkat Ali group and placebo.

Therefore, the cortisol-lowering effect may depend on the study population and dosage. Overall, some trials report that Tongkat Ali reduces cortisol, along with feelings of tension, anger, and confusion. Still, to fully establish this effect, more in-depth human research is required.

59. How Much Tongkat Ali for Bodybuilding?

Human studies have applied a wide range of Tongkat Ali doses, typically between 100–600 mg of standardized extract per day. The dosage used often varies depending on the intended purpose. 

For investigations related to bodybuilding and the relationship between Tongkat Ali and testosterone levels in men engaged in resistance training, the intake has generally ranged from 200–400 mg per day (Antonio, et al. 2024).

Therefore, to support muscle development, a daily intake of around 200–400 mg of standardized Tongkat Ali is commonly suggested, depending on individual health status and goals.

It is worth noting that some individuals prefer using Tongkat Ali in cycles — meaning they take it for a certain period and then pause. For those who use it continuously, monitoring hormone levels and liver enzymes through testing may be considered to ensure long-term safety.

60. How Much Tongkat Ali per Day for Muscle Growth?

Similar to its role in exercise performance, the upper suggested dosage for muscle growth is about 400 mg/day of standardized extract. In one report, an intake of 100 mg/day of Tongkat Ali extract for several weeks was associated with improvements in muscle mass and strength (Sareena, 2003).

That said, this finding came from an animal model, so more precise evidence is needed to confirm its effect on human muscle growth. 

For safety and effectiveness, it is best to consult with a healthcare professional, start with a safe dose, and then adjust according to individual response. Importantly, Tongkat Ali serves as a supportive factor and should not be considered a replacement for consistent training.

61. Where to Buy Tongkat Ali Muscle Mass?

To purchase Tongkat Ali safely, it is best to choose reputable suppliers that offer third-party testing and standardized extracts. These supplements are available from multiple sources, including major online and physical retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Instacart. 

In addition, specialized supplement shops provide curated options, while official websites of supplement brands ensure authenticity and product transparency.

62. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Growth Hormone?

Although it does not directly affect growth hormone, Tongkat Ali has some impact on bones and mood. When bones are strong and muscles are toned, users can improve their height and physique.

At the same time, a good mood also improves the ability to absorb nutrients, so it is favorable for physical development.

Tongkat Ali’s Effects on Mood, Emotions, and Stress

63. Does Tongkat Ali Increase Facial Hair?

There is no scientific data confirming that Tongkat Ali directly stimulates facial hair growth. Biologically, since it increases testosterone, it may contribute to hair growth if there is an existing testosterone deficiency. However, the effect would likely be minimal unless hormone levels are abnormally low.

Additionally, most studies on Tongkat Ali have been conducted in adult men who already possess normal testosterone levels and facial hair, with no clinical reports of increased beard growth.

Overall, its impact on facial hair development appears limited and is unlikely to be significant except in cases of hormonal deficiency.

64. Does Tongkat Ali Make You Hard?

Tongkat Ali may help improve erectile function by increasing testosterone levels, enhancing libido, and supporting erection quality, particularly in men with low testosterone (Rehman et al. 2016) [4].

The compound 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one has also been shown experimentally to promote vasodilation in penile tissue, helping maintain erections (Chiou, et al. 2011).

That said, scientific evidence remains inconsistent, and findings are still debated in the medical community. Stronger clinical trials are needed to determine its effectiveness and any potential risks associated with its use.

65. Does Tongkat Ali Make You Horny?

Research suggests that Tongkat Ali may have aphrodisiac properties, although its effects vary from person to person. Traditionally, the root has long been used in herbal medicine to boost libido and address erectile dysfunction.

Modern studies provide supporting evidence that Tongkat Ali enhances sexual desire. For instance, in a hormone-monitoring study, it was reported to improve sex drive (Talbott et al. 2013). Users commonly describe feeling more aroused and confident during sexual activity.

Additionally, by increasing testosterone, Tongkat Ali further promotes libido, since testosterone is the key hormone driving male sexual desire. Altogether, many users report a significant rise in sexual interest when supplementing with Tongkat Ali.*

66. How Can I Manage Depression While Maintaining the Positive Effects of Tongkat Ali?

Based on current research, Tongkat Ali can reduce stress and improve mood through lowering cortisol and raising testosterone. However, hormonal changes may trigger side effects in some individuals. To maintain benefits while avoiding drawbacks:

• Follow the manufacturer’s dosage recommendations.

• Avoid overdosing.

• Monitor your body’s response and adjust if adverse effects appear.

• Support supplementation with a healthy diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and stress management practices.
  This holistic approach maximizes Tongkat Ali’s benefits while reducing risks.

67. Can Tongkat Ali Help People Dealing With Anxiety, Paranoia, or Low Motivation?

Tongkat Ali may indirectly support mild stress and low motivation due to its general stress-reducing effects. By increasing testosterone and lowering cortisol (Talbott et al., 2013), it can improve overall energy and vitality.

However, there is no research confirming its effectiveness for paranoia or clinical anxiety. If symptoms of anxiety or paranoia are significant, Tongkat Ali is not an appropriate treatment. Such conditions require professional medical evaluation and proper interventions.

68. Does Tongkat Ali Help Regulate Hormones for People With Stress-Related Imbalances?

Yes. One of Tongkat Ali’s primary benefits is its ability to regulate hormones under chronic stress. Multiple studies demonstrate significant reductions in cortisol (the “stress hormone”) alongside increases in testosterone (Talbott et al., 2013).

This rebalancing helps reverse some of the negative consequences of long-term stress, such as fatigue and burnout.

For individuals with stress-related hormonal imbalance (chronically elevated cortisol), Tongkat Ali can serve as a supportive aid in restoring healthier hormone profiles.

69. Is Taking Tongkat Ali Similar to the Effects of Semen Retention?

No. Semen retention (abstaining from ejaculation) and Tongkat Ali use are distinct. While semen retention may temporarily increase endogenous testosterone levels, there is no scientific evidence directly comparing the two.

Tongkat Ali increases testosterone through enzymatic and gonadal mechanisms, whereas semen retention works via a different physiological pathway (hormonal accumulation).

Current research does not support the idea that Tongkat Ali mimics the effects of semen retention. Biologically, they are separate processes, though subjective experiences may differ among individuals.

70. What Compound in Tongkat Ali Supports Erections and Delays Ejaculation?

The compound identified is 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one, a β-carboline alkaloid extracted from Tongkat Ali. Medical reports indicate that this molecule relaxes smooth muscle in penile tissue (facilitating erection) and delays ejaculation in rodent models (Chiou et al., 2011) [24].

In animal studies, administration of 9-hydroxycanthin-6-one led to faster erections and prolonged ejaculation latency. This compound is considered one of the contributors to Tongkat Ali’s sexual health effects, although detailed mechanisms in humans remain under investigation.