Remedy Routes
    systematic_review
    2011
    High Quality

    Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review

    Lee MS, Shin BC, Yang EJ, Lim HJ, Ernst E

    Published in Maturitas, Vol. 70 (3), pp. 227-33

    Methodology

    Systematic review of randomised trials comparing any maca-based intervention with placebo for menopausal symptoms, searching 17 databases to June 2011 and rating risk of bias with the Cochrane tool.

    Key Findings

    Four RCTs in healthy perimenopausal, early postmenopausal and late postmenopausal women met the criteria. All reported favourable effects of maca on the Kupperman Menopausal Index or the Greene Climacteric Score.

    Conclusions

    Limited evidence that maca helps menopausal symptoms; the number of trials, total sample size and average quality were too limited for firm conclusions, and safety has not been proven.

    Limitations

    Only four small trials, of low average methodological quality; no pooled effect size reported in the abstract.

    Supplements Studied

    provide limited evidence for the effectiveness of maca as a treatment for menopausal symptoms

    Outcomes Measured

    Menopause Symptom Relief
    Primary

    all RCTs demonstrated favorable effects of maca

    Related Health Concerns

    Menopause
    Perimenopause
    Hot Flashes

    Study Details

    Year:2011
    Quality Score:7/10

    Access Study

    View on DOIView on PubMedOriginal Source

    This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.