Lycopene
Also known as lycopene, tomato extract, tomato lycopene
Key takeaways
- Lycopene as part of a combination therapy (SeR-Se-Ly) showed non-inferiority to tadalafil 5mg for lower urinary tract symptoms (PMID: 29569389).
- Lycopene is identified as a potential non-hormonal treatment for male infertility (PMID: 31002161).
- Network meta-analysis suggests non-pharmaceutical interventions, including lycopene, can impact sperm quality (PMID: 37199654).
What the research shows
AI-synthesized from 8 peer-reviewed sources · Updated 2025
Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits. Research suggests potential benefits for male reproductive health, prostate symptoms, and skin aging, though evidence is often derived from combination therapies.
By condition
Male Infertility/Sperm Quality
Moderate
Systematic reviews indicate that lycopene, often in combination with selenium and Serenoa repens, may improve sperm quality and male fertility outcomes.
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (BPH)
Moderate
A phase IV non-inferiority study suggests a combination of lycopene, selenium, and Serenoa repens is comparable to tadalafil for treating symptoms of benign prostatic obstruction.
Oral Submucous Fibrosis
Weak
Systematic reviews of interventions for oral submucous fibrosis have explored lycopene, but evidence for its efficacy in improving mouth opening is limited.
Skin Aging
Insufficient
A clinical trial investigated a combination of astaxanthin, lycopene, and vitamin E for skin aging, but definitive results are not provided in the summary.
Effective doses
Specific monotherapy doses are not provided; one combination trial used 1.8 mg of lycopene for skin aging (NCT03460860).
Safety & interactions
No specific interactions or contraindications were listed in the provided abstracts; refer to NIH Office of Dietary Supplements for general safety guidelines.
Limitations
Much of the evidence comes from combination supplements rather than lycopene alone, making it difficult to isolate its specific effects. Sample sizes in some trials are small, and further high-quality RCTs are needed.
Top-rated Lycopene products
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How it's sold
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Research evidence
Showing top 10 of 8 sources, sorted by quality
**Fedorowicz et al., 2008** | Cochrane Database Syst Rev | Systematic Review Fedorowicz Zbys, Chan Shih-Yen Edwin, ... Shi Luming. Interventions for the management of oral submucous fibrosis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008-Oct-08(4):CD007…
**Cannarella et al., 2019** | Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci | Systematic Review Cannarella R, Calogero A E, ... La Vignera S. Non-hormonal treatment for male infertility: the potential role of Serenoa repens, selenium and lycopene. Eur Rev Med …
OBJECTIVE: To compare in a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority clinical study, the efficacy and tolerability of Serenoa repens (SeR) + selenium (Se) + lycopene (Ly) (SeR-Se-Ly) therapy vs tadalafil 5 mg in men with lower urinary tract s…
**Fenech et al., 2023** | Adv Nutr | Systematic Review Fenech Michael F, Bull Caroline F, Van Klinken B Jan-Willem. Protective Effects of Micronutrient Supplements, Phytochemicals and Phytochemical-Rich Beverages and Foods Against DNA Damag…
**Chen et al., 2023** | Aging (Albany NY) | Systematic Review Chen Zilong, Hong Zhiming, ... Weng Haowei. Effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical intervention on sperm quality: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Aging (Albany NY). 2…
**NCT ID**: NCT03460860 **Phase**: NA **Status**: COMPLETED **Enrollment**: 100 **Completion**: 2019-02-07
**Rajesh et al., 2021** | Oral Dis | Narrative Review Rajesh Kashyap Roopashri, Shanker Kashyap Rajesh. Herbal derivatives in the management of mouth opening in oral submucous fibrosis-A network meta-analysis. Oral Dis. 2021-Oct;27(7):1606-…
**Source:** [Office of Dietary Supplements, NIH](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Lycopene-HealthProfessional/) **Reading Level:** Health Professional This fact sheet from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements provides evidence-based infor…
Frequently asked questions
What is lycopene and what is it used for?
Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits. Research suggests it may offer potential benefits for male reproductive health, prostate symptoms, and skin aging, though much of this evidence comes from studies using combination therapies rather than lycopene alone.
Does lycopene help with male infertility or sperm quality?
There is moderate evidence suggesting that lycopene, particularly when combined with selenium and Serenoa repens, may improve sperm quality and male fertility outcomes. Systematic reviews indicate it could be a potential non-hormonal treatment option, but it is not a standalone cure.
Can lycopene treat lower urinary tract symptoms caused by BPH?
There is moderate evidence indicating that a combination of lycopene, selenium, and Serenoa repens may be comparable to tadalafil for treating symptoms of benign prostatic obstruction. However, specific effective doses for lycopene monotherapy are not provided in the current research summaries.
Is lycopene effective for skin aging?
Current evidence for lycopene's effect on skin aging is insufficient. While one clinical trial investigated a combination including lycopene, astaxanthin, and vitamin E, definitive results regarding its efficacy for skin aging are not yet established.
What is the recommended dosage of lycopene for health benefits?
Specific effective doses for lycopene as a single supplement are not clearly defined in the available evidence. One trial involving skin aging used a combination product containing 1.8 mg of lycopene, but this does not establish a standard monotherapy dose for other conditions.
Is lycopene safe to take with other medications?
No specific drug interactions or contraindications for lycopene are documented in the provided evidence summaries. However, because safety guidelines can vary, you should consult the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.
Who should avoid taking lycopene supplements?
While no specific contraindications are listed, individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications should consult a healthcare provider before use. It is important to note that supplements should not replace prescribed medications for conditions like prostate issues or infertility.