Maca Root
Lepidium meyenii
TL;DR
Maca has consistent small-trial evidence for improving sexual desire and for easing SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction — and, unusually for a libido supplement, it does this without changing testosterone or any other sex hormone.
Ideal For
- Low sexual desire without a hormonal cause
- SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction
- Postmenopausal psychological symptoms
- Male fertility support, using black maca
Avoid If
- Expecting testosterone to rise — it will not
- Thyroid dysfunction, if consuming large amounts raw
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Hormone-sensitive conditions, as a precaution despite the non-hormonal data
Frequently Asked Questions
Does maca raise testosterone?
How long before it works?
Which colour should I buy?
Can I take it with an antidepressant?
Overview
Maca is unusual among libido supplements in that the trials largely agree with each other and disagree with the marketing. Randomised placebo-controlled studies at 1.5-3 g/day report increased self-reported sexual desire in men after around eight weeks, improvement in SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in both men and women at the higher 3 g dose, and reduced psychological symptoms in postmenopausal women. What these trials also show, consistently, is that serum testosterone, oestradiol, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone do not change. Whatever maca does, it is not hormonal, which contradicts most of the way it is sold and also means the usual hormone-related cautions do not straightforwardly apply. The mechanism remains poorly characterised; macamides and macaenes are the leading candidates, with proposed activity on fatty acid amide hydrolase and the endocannabinoid system. The evidence base is genuinely limited: small samples, short durations, several trials from the same Peruvian group, and self-reported outcomes that are especially placebo-sensitive in this domain. Colour matters somewhat — black maca has the better data for sperm parameters and memory, red for prostate volume in animal models, yellow is the common commodity form. Gelatinised maca is heat-treated to remove starch and is easier to digest.
How It Works
- No change in testosterone, oestradiol, LH or FSH in trials
- Macamides may inhibit fatty acid amide hydrolase, raising endocannabinoid tone
- Possible dopaminergic contribution to desire
- Not a hormonal supplement despite how it is marketed
Quick Facts
- Improves reported desire without changing any sex hormone
- 3 g/day helped SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in trial
- Takes around 8 weeks
- Black for sperm and memory, red for prostate, yellow general
Benefits & Outcomes
No linked outcomes yet. Research is ongoing.
Health Concerns Addressed
Decreased Sex Drive
Maca improves self-reported sexual desire in small trials and helps SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction at 3 g/day — while leaving every measured sex hormone unchanged.
Menopause
Several small, low-quality trials point the same way, but most came from one group and reviews judge the evidence too limited for firm conclusions.
Erectile Dysfunction
Two small positive trials, no independent replication in men with ED; reviews judge the evidence very preliminary or insufficient.
Hot Flashes
Only one research group has reported fewer hot flashes on maca, and independent trials have not confirmed it.
Supporting Research17 studies
Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review
Lee MS, Shin BC, Yang EJ +2 more
provide limited evidence for the effectiveness of maca as a treatment for menopausal symptoms
Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial
Zenico T, Cicero AF, Valmorri L +2 more
patients taking Maca experienced a more significant increase than those taking placebo
Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content
Brooks NA, Wilcox G, Walker KZ +3 more
3.5 g/day of powered Maca for 6 weeks
Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
Shin D, Jeon SH, Piao J +4 more
AMS, IIEF, and IPSS were significantly (p<0.05) improved in Maca treated group
Herbal dietary supplements for erectile dysfunction: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials
Ho CY, Hsu CH, Chien TJ
evidence for other agents such as Tribulus terrestris and Maca remains insufficient
Therapeutic Effects of Pre-Gelatinized Maca (Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon) used as a Non-Hormonal Alternative to HRT in Perimenopausal Women - Clinical Pilot Study
Meissner HO, Reich-Bilinska H, Mscisz A +1 more
Two months administration of Maca-GO significantly alleviated symptoms
A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women
Dording CM, Schettler PJ, Dalton ED +4 more
maca root (3.0 g/day) in 45 female outpatients
Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Gonzales-Arimborgo C, Yupanqui I, Montero E +4 more
Both maca extracts were well tolerated and safe.
Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (III) Clinical responses of early-postmenopausal women to Maca in double blind, randomized, Placebo-controlled, crossover configuration, outpatient study
Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H +4 more
Two 500 mg vegetable hard gel capsules with Maca-GO or Placebo powder were self-administered twice daily
Use of gelatinized maca (lepidium peruvianum) in early postmenopausal women
Meissner HO, Kapczynski W, Mscisz A +1 more
2g gelatinized Maca root powder (Maca-GO)
Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review
Shin BC, Lee MS, Yang EJ +2 more
The total number of trials, the total sample size and the average methodological quality of the primary studies were too limited to draw firm conclusions.
Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men
Gonzales GF, Cordova A, Vega K
Maca improved self-reported sexual desire without changing serum testosterone or oestradiol.
A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction
Dording CM, Fisher L, Papakostas G
Maca showed a trend toward improved SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, reaching significance only at the higher dose.
Herbal Dietary Supplements for Erectile Dysfunction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Borrelli F, Colalto C, Delfino DV +2 more
P. pinaster and L. meyenii showed very preliminary positive results
Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal women
Stojanovska L, Law C, Lai B
Maca reduced depression scores and diastolic blood pressure in postmenopausal women without changing sex hormones.
Hormone-Balancing Effect of Pre-Gelatinized Organic Maca (Lepidium peruvianum Chacon): (II) Physiological and Symptomatic Responses of Early-Postmenopausal Women to Standardized doses of Maca in Double Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Multi-Centre Clinical Study
Meissner HO, Mscisz A, Reich-Bilinska H
Standardised maca reduced menopausal symptom scores versus placebo in early-postmenopausal women.
A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen
Stone M, Ibarra A, Roller M
Maca extract improved 40 km cycling time trial performance and self-rated sexual desire in trained cyclists.
Safety Information
Potential Side Effects
Generally well tolerated. Bloating and gas, particularly with raw maca. Insomnia if taken late. Occasional jitteriness at higher doses.
Contraindications
Caution in thyroid disease with large raw intakes, since maca is a brassica containing glucosinolates. Insufficient data in pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
- SSRIs — used alongside for sexual dysfunction; no adverse interaction reported
- Thyroid medication — theoretical goitrogen effect with large raw doses
- Hormone therapies — no measured hormonal interaction, but data are limited
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnancy: Not enough evidence to judge
Breastfeeding: Not enough evidence to judge
Dosage Guidelines
Dosage Used in Studies
1500-3000 mg
Best Time to Take
Split into two doses with meals
Best Form
Gelatinised maca powder or extract, colour matched to purpose
Bioavailability
Macamides are lipophilic and absorbed with dietary fat; gelatinisation improves digestibility of the starch-heavy root.
Dosing by Goal
| Goal | Dose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Starting dose | 1.5 g/day | |
| Libido | 1.5-3 g/day for at least 8 weeks | |
| SSRI sexual dysfunction | 3 g/day, the dose used in the positive trial | |
| Timing | Split with meals | |
| Assessment point | 8-12 weeks |
Forms Compared
Gelatinised maca
Heat-treated to remove starch; better tolerated
Black maca
Best data for sperm parameters and memory
Red maca
Studied for prostate volume, mainly in animals
Yellow maca
The common commodity form; general use
Food & Timing
With meals; raw maca is high in starch and can cause bloating.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any supplement regimen.
Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.