The Effect of Combined Exercises and Tribulus Supplement on Sex Hormones Estrogen, Testosterone, and the Testosterone to Cortisol Ratio in Overweight Postmenopausal Women

Physical exercises, in conjunction with Tribulus supplementation, can serve as an alternative to prevent complications associated with menopause. This study investigated the impact of combined exercises and Tribulus supplementation on the sex hormones estrogen, testosterone, and the testosterone-to-cortisol ratio in overweight postmenopausal women. In this study, 60 inactive postmenopausal women were selected based on voluntary entry criteria and were randomly divided into four groups of 15 individuals: combined exercise, supplement, combined exercise with supplement, and control. The combined training consisted of 10 weeks of aerobic and resistance training. The participants took a Tribulus supplement in the form of 500 mg capsules twice a day for ten weeks. The estradiol, cortisol, testosterone, and testosterone-to-cortisol ratios were measured before and after the training protocol. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25 software and repeated measures analysis of variance test. The results showed a significant decrease in cortisol levels in the three experimental groups (P=0.001). There was also a significant increase in the total testosterone-to-cortisol ratio among the three experimental groups and the control group (P=0.001). This significant increase was also observed between the exercise and supplement group (P=0.001) and between the supplement group and the combined exercise + supplement group (P=0.001). No significant difference was observed in follicle-stimulating hormone, estradiol, and dehydroepiandrosterone (P>0.05). According to the results of this study, it is possible to use combined exercises with Tribulus supplement as an effective intervention to improve sex hormones in overweight postmenopausal women.