Browse all articles

Home Get the app
Maca

Maca

Best for

Increase sexual desire

Large effect, needs confirmation · 1500–3000 mg/day for 2–12 weeks · 1 meta-analysis , n=89

13 papers · 8 claims · 59 outcomes scored · 6 positive

Outcomes

What maca actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect Evidence Dose Weeks Rank
Improve overall sexual function Large effect, needs confirmation
large 		3 RCTs n=154 1500–5000 mg 12 wk #4/7
Increase sexual desire Large effect, needs confirmation
large 		3 meta-analyses n=89 Meta-analyzed 1500–3000 mg 2–12 wk #1/5
Improve erection quality Large effect, needs confirmation
large 		1 meta-analysis n=50 Meta-analyzed 2400 mg 12 wk #3/8
Increase sexual satisfaction Large effect, needs confirmation
large 		1 RCT n=18 3000 mg 12 wk #4/5
Boost testosterone levels Promising early signal
moderate 		4 RCTs n=148 1750–5000 mg 12–16 wk #2/12
Improve sexual function in menopause Promising early signal
moderate 		1 meta-analysis n=16 Meta-analyzed 3500 mg 6 wk #2/5
Ease the full menopause symptom load Not enough research
2 RCTs n=— 2000 mg 8 wk —
Reduce hot flashes and night sweats Not enough research
2 RCTs n=— 2000 mg 8 wk —
Buy well

Recommended Maca products

Real products that dose Maca where the research does, in a clean formulation, from brands we've audited. We only list ones we'd stand behind.

Chosen for adequate Maca dosing vs. the studied range, a clean formulation (grade A–C), and independent brand-quality audits. Not sponsored.

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

Falsely elevated total plasma testosterone due to immunoassay interference mild
Taste dislike mild
gastrointestinal disorder mild
gastrointestinal upset
headache
irritability
panic attack
urinary frequency

Drug interactions

Cyclophosphamide major decreases effect
other moderate unknown
Finasteride moderate unknown
Dexamethasone moderate decreases concentration

Sources

  1. 1. A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. (2008) ↑
  2. 2. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review. (2010) ↑
  3. 3. 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. (2016) ↑
  4. 4. 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. (2006) ↑
  5. 5. 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. (2006) ↑
  6. 6. Effect of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on Semen Parameters and Serum Hormone Levels in Healthy Adult Men: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study. (2015) ↑
  7. 7. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. (2015) ↑
  8. 8. Efficacy and Safety of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) in Patients with Symptoms of Late-Onset Hypogonadism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. (2023) ↑
  9. 9. Evaluation of the effect of Lepidium meyenii Walpers in infertile patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. (2021) ↑
  10. 10. Effects of Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on Physical Performance in Animals and Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. (2024) ↑

Generated August 14, 2026

Related

More evidence for Maca

Want personalized recommendations?

Show me what works for me