Understanding How Royal Jelly Affects Hormones: Does Royal Jelly Increase Estrogen or Testosterone?

October 7, 2025 •

5 min read

Recent studies in both humans and animal models suggest that royal jelly can influence sex hormone levels. The question of whether royal jelly increases estrogen or testosterone depends on several factors, including the individual's sex and health status.

Quick Summary

Royal jelly contains compounds with weak estrogenic and androgenic properties, affecting hormone levels differently based on gender and health context. The mechanisms involve unique fatty acids and potential interactions with hormone receptors, though human research is limited.

Key Points

Dual Hormonal Effects: Royal jelly's effect on hormones is complex and can be different for men and women, with some studies suggesting weak estrogenic activity and others indicating increased testosterone.
Estrogen Interaction: Evidence from cell cultures and animal models shows that royal jelly's unique fatty acids can bind to and activate estrogen receptors, acting as weak phytoestrogens.
Testosterone Boost: A short-term human study found that royal jelly supplementation significantly increased testosterone levels in sedentary young men.
Fertility Benefits: Animal research consistently shows that royal jelly can improve male fertility parameters, such as sperm motility and count, often alongside increased testosterone.
Limited Human Data: Most of the compelling evidence comes from animal studies, and larger, more robust human clinical trials are needed to confirm the hormonal effects and proper dosing.
Product and Dosage Vary: The impact of royal jelly can be influenced by factors like dosage, duration of use, and the purity of the product, as noted by variations in study outcomes.

The Complex Effects of Royal Jelly on Sex Hormones

Royal jelly (RJ), a nutrient-rich substance secreted by honeybees, has long been used in traditional medicine for its various health benefits, including supporting fertility and hormonal balance. However, the scientific evidence regarding its specific effects on human sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone is nuanced and often dependent on the study subject and dosage. While some studies point towards weak estrogenic activity, others indicate an increase in testosterone, revealing a complex picture of its impact on the endocrine system.

Royal Jelly's Impact on Estrogen Levels

Evidence for royal jelly's estrogenic properties largely comes from in vitro (test-tube) and animal studies.

Estrogen Receptor Activity: Studies using human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) have shown that royal jelly's fatty acids, such as 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), can bind to and activate estrogen receptors (specifically ERβ). This binding activity mimics the effect of natural estrogen, leading researchers to classify royal jelly as a weak phytoestrogenic compound.
Impact on Menopausal Symptoms: Given its weak estrogenic activity, royal jelly has been explored as a complementary therapy for menopausal symptoms. Some human trials have found that supplementing with royal jelly can alleviate symptoms like anxiety and backache, possibly by influencing hormone signaling pathways. However, other studies have shown no significant improvement in menopausal genitourinary symptoms with oral royal jelly. This suggests that the oral dosage, absorption, and individual response can vary significantly.
Effects in Female Animal Models: In animal studies involving female rats, royal jelly administration has been shown to increase serum estradiol (a form of estrogen) and progesterone, promote the growth of ovarian follicles, and improve overall reproductive parameters. This has led to its traditional use in fertility treatments, though human data remains limited.

Royal Jelly's Impact on Testosterone Levels

Research on royal jelly and testosterone, while also limited, has yielded promising results, particularly in male subjects.

Human Clinical Study: A 2020 study on 20 healthy, sedentary young men found that a short-term (15 days) daily oral dose of 1000 mg of royal jelly significantly increased testosterone levels compared to a placebo group. This suggests a potential androgenic effect in men, although the study duration was brief and the sample size small.
Animal Studies on Male Fertility: Numerous animal studies have reinforced royal jelly's positive effect on male reproductive health. It has been shown to protect against testicular damage induced by toxic compounds and stress, leading to increased serum testosterone levels, improved sperm quality, and enhanced fertility in rats and rabbits. For instance, diabetic rats treated with royal jelly showed increased testicular weight and sperm count, along with higher testosterone levels.
Mechanism in Males: The increase in testosterone is believed to be linked to royal jelly's antioxidant properties, which can protect reproductive tissues from oxidative damage. Some researchers also hypothesize that royal jelly's active components may interact with androgen receptors or stimulate gonadotropin secretion from the pituitary gland, although more research is needed to clarify the exact mechanism.

Factors Influencing Royal Jelly's Hormonal Effects

Dosage and Duration: Studies show that the dose and duration of royal jelly supplementation can significantly influence its hormonal impact. High doses in young male rats have, for instance, shown adverse effects on the reproductive system, which reversed upon cessation of treatment. In contrast, moderate doses have shown beneficial effects.
Product Purity: The quality and purity of royal jelly vary widely. Some clinical trials have found that differences in royal jelly composition can lead to disparate results. For example, some studies combined royal jelly with honey or other bee products, making it difficult to attribute all effects solely to the royal jelly.
Individual Health Status: An individual's current hormonal state and overall health can affect how royal jelly impacts their endocrine system. The same supplement may have different effects in a healthy person versus someone with a pre-existing hormonal imbalance like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Weak Phytoestrogen: As a weak phytoestrogen, royal jelly's effect on hormones is less potent than pharmaceutical treatments. This means its impact might be subtle and require consistent, long-term use to observe significant changes, if any.

A Comparison of Royal Jelly's Hormonal Effects


Aspect	Effects on Estrogen (Primary Female Hormone)	Effects on Testosterone (Primary Male Hormone)
Mechanism	Weak binding and activation of estrogen receptors (ERβ), possibly via fatty acids like 10-HDA.	Antioxidant activity protecting testicular tissue and potential interaction with androgen receptors or pituitary hormones.
Research Basis	Primarily from in vitro (cell culture) and animal studies, with some limited and inconsistent human trials on menopausal symptoms.	Supported by some human studies on young, healthy men, along with numerous animal studies showing increases in testosterone and improved male fertility parameters.
Observed Outcomes	May alleviate some menopausal symptoms and promote reproductive health parameters in animal models.	May increase serum testosterone levels and improve sperm count, motility, and testicular function, especially in the context of stress or deficiency.
Dosage Sensitivity	High doses in some animal models can cause hormonal disruption or negative effects.	Dose-dependent effects observed, with very high doses potentially causing adverse effects on male reproductive health in rats.

Conclusion

The scientific evidence surrounding royal jelly's effects on estrogen and testosterone indicates a complex and context-dependent relationship. In women, particularly postmenopausal, some studies suggest a mild, weak estrogenic effect that may help with symptoms like anxiety and back pain, although human trials are limited and results are not universally consistent. For men, research indicates that royal jelly can increase testosterone levels, particularly in young, healthy, sedentary males, and has shown protective effects on male fertility parameters in animal models. The mechanisms likely involve both its antioxidant properties and the action of specific fatty acids, like 10-HDA, that can interact with hormone receptors. Due to the varying results, differences in study populations and product quality, and the reliance on animal research, it is critical to consult a healthcare professional before using royal jelly as a hormonal supplement. While it may offer potential benefits for hormonal balance, more high-quality human studies are needed to fully confirm its efficacy and safety.

For more in-depth scientific research on the topic, consult a reliable medical resource like the National Library of Medicine. [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38717683/]

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, some studies suggest that royal jelly may have a weak estrogenic effect, which has been associated with alleviating menopausal symptoms like anxiety in some women, though further human research is needed.

Animal studies have shown that royal jelly can improve male fertility by increasing testosterone levels, sperm count, and motility, and protecting testicular tissue from oxidative damage. Limited human research also shows a positive effect on testosterone.

The primary fatty acid, 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), is believed to be a key compound responsible for royal jelly's hormonal effects, including its interaction with estrogen receptors and its antioxidant properties.

While generally safe, royal jelly can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, especially those with bee allergies. High doses have shown potential adverse effects in animal studies, emphasizing the need for proper dosing and medical advice.

Yes, research indicates that the dosage can significantly influence the effects. For instance, animal studies show that while moderate doses can be beneficial, high doses can sometimes have negative hormonal consequences that reverse upon stopping supplementation.

Some animal studies suggest that royal jelly may modulate insulin resistance and androgen levels in rats with PCOS, potentially improving hormonal imbalances. However, reliable human clinical data for this specific condition is still lacking.

Yes, some studies have noted that when royal jelly is mixed with other bee products like honey and pollen, it is difficult to isolate the effects of royal jelly alone. The hormonal effects can vary depending on the purity and composition of the product.