Does Maca Boost Libido? Small Trials Hint at Desire, Not Hormones
A handful of small trials found maca nudged sexual desire or mild erectile function, without raising testosterone. A systematic review called the evidence too thin for firm conclusions, and side effects were barely tracked.
By Kymata Health Editorial Published Last checked
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Key takeaways
From 8 sources- A systematic review found only 4 small randomized trials of maca for sexual function and judged them too limited for firm conclusions1.
- In 12 weeks, maca improved self-rated sexual desire in healthy men from week 8, with no change in testosterone or estradiol2.
- In 50 men with mild erectile dysfunction, erectile scores rose 1.6 points on maca vs 0.5 on placebo over 12 weeks3.
- In 42 women with antidepressant-related sexual problems, remission rates were only slightly higher on 3 g a day of maca (for example 30.0% vs 20.0%)4.
- Maca trials rarely measured side effects, and sperm and hormone results have been mixed156.
What this article covers
1 evidence profileThe evidence, graded
Pulled from the trial tables in our evidence profiles. Grades follow our evidence-grading policy.
Graded findings
3 rows- DGrade DSexual function and desireMixed Two RCTs found better sexual function or desire, one found no effect in cyclists, and one found better erectile function scores. The reviewers judged the evidence too limited for firm conclusions.Maca · Systematic review · n=131 · 2010 · PMID 20691074
- DGrade DAntidepressant-related sexual dysfunction in womenMixed Remission of sexual dysfunction was numerically higher with maca (30% vs 20% on one scale), mainly in postmenopausal women. Maca was well tolerated.Maca · RCT · n=45 · 2015 · PMID 25954318
- DGrade DSperm concentration and semen qualityNo effect Pooled sperm concentration did not differ from placebo (WMD 2.22, 95% CI −2.94 to 7.37). Other semen measures moved in both directions across trials.Maca · Meta-analysis · n=244 · 2022 · PMID 36110519
The short answer
Maca may give a small lift to self-reported sexual desire, but the evidence comes from a few small trials and rates D on our scale14. It does not appear to work by raising testosterone: testosterone did not rise in the two trials in men that measured it26.
Low libido often has a medical, medication or relationship cause, so it is worth looking for one before buying a supplement.
Maca and libido in men
A 12-week Peruvian trial gave healthy men aged 21 to 56 either 1,500 mg or 3,000 mg of gelatinized maca, or placebo2. Self-rated sexual desire improved with maca from week 8, and serum testosterone and estradiol did not differ from placebo2. The authors found the effect was not explained by changes in depression or anxiety scores2. The tablets were supplied by their Peruvian maker, Laboratorios Hersil, which also supported the study8.
In an Italian trial of 50 men with mild erectile dysfunction, 2,400 mg of maca dry extract for 12 weeks raised the 5-item erectile function score by 1.6 points vs 0.5 on placebo (P < 0.001)3. Both groups improved, which shows how large the placebo response is in sexual-function trials3.
Men hoping maca will help fertility should know that a meta-analysis found no clear change in sperm concentration, and a 16-week trial in infertile men saw free testosterone fall56.
Maca and libido in women
A Massachusetts General Hospital trial gave 3.0 g a day of maca or placebo for 12 weeks to women whose depression had remitted on an SSRI or SNRI but who had sexual side effects; 42 were analysed4. Remission rates were higher on maca on each scale, for example 30.0% vs 20.0% on one questionnaire, and the benefit was mainly seen in postmenopausal women4.
The trial was funded by an NIH complementary medicine grant, and the lead author reported research support from many drug companies4. In a separate 6-week crossover trial in 29 postmenopausal women, 3.3 g a day of maca did not change estradiol, FSH, SHBG or TSH7.
For the wider causes of low desire in women, see our guide to low libido in women.
Why the evidence stays weak
The 2010 systematic review searched 17 databases and found 4 randomized trials: two positive, one negative in cyclists and one positive in erectile dysfunction1. The reviewers said the number of trials, total sample size and quality were too limited to draw firm conclusions1.
Products also differ: the trials used gelatinized maca, a dry extract and maca root powder at doses from 1.5 to 3.3 g a day2347.
Safety and who should avoid it
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: the trials cited here did not study these groups14.
- Hormone-sensitive conditions (breast, uterine, ovarian or prostate cancer, endometriosis or fibroids): the small trials that measured hormones found no change in testosterone, estradiol or FSH27, but they were short and did not enrol people with these conditions, so check with your specialist first.
- Trying to conceive: pooled sperm concentration did not differ from placebo, and one trial saw free testosterone fall56.
- People on antidepressants: the only trial in this group was small and showed modest differences, so medication changes belong with the prescriber4.
- Erectile problems: the maca trial enrolled only men with mild erectile dysfunction, so more severe or new problems need a medical assessment first3.
- People on other medicines: no drug interactions have been studied in the trials cited here15.
Quick answers
Common questions
4 answersHow much maca was used in libido trials?
Does maca raise testosterone?
How long does maca take to affect libido?
In the men's trial, the change in desire appeared from week 82.
Does maca help with menopause symptoms?
A small crossover trial found lower depression scores and diastolic blood pressure but no hormone changes7.
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4 capsules: 1,800 mg maca extract standardized to 0.6% macamides and macaenes; 15 servings
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References
8 sources. Numbers in the text link here.
Sources cited in this article
8 sources- 1Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic reviewBMC Complement Altern Med, 2010 · PMID 20691074
- 2Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy menAndrologia, 2002 · PMID 12472620
- 3Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trialAndrologia, 2009 · PMID 19260845
- 4A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in womenEvid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2015 · PMID 25954318
- 5Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) on semen quality parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysisFront Pharmacol, 2022 · PMID 36110519
- 6Evaluation of the effect of Lepidium meyenii Walpers in infertile patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialPhytother Res, 2021 · PMID 34585449
- 7Maca reduces blood pressure and depression, in a pilot study in postmenopausal womenClimacteric, 2015 · PMID 24931003
- 8Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men (full text, methods and acknowledgements)Andrologia, 2002
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