Maca appears to impart favorable health benefits without negatively altering hormone levels, with consistency across publications noting improvements in libido and associated measures in men, positive effects in mixed-sex studies, and mixed findings in women-only studies.
Key Findings
Results
Maca use appears to improve libido and associated measures in studies involving men only, with consistency across publications.
The review identified consistency across male-only publications in reporting improvements in libido and associated measures.
Data sources included PubMed and Google Scholar for comprehensive literature review.
Most human trials used approximately 3 grams per day of maca powder or an equivalent preparation.
No negative alteration of hormone levels was observed in association with maca use.
Results
Studies involving a combination of men and women also showed a positive effect of maca on libido and measures of sexual health.
Mixed-sex studies demonstrated positive effects for maca on libido and measures of sexual health.
The review characterized these findings as appearing to show 'a positive effect for maca on libido and measures of sexual health.'
Most human trials in this category also used approximately 3 grams per day of maca powder or an equivalent preparation.
Results
Studies involving women only, often postmenopausal, showed mixed findings in terms of improved sexual health outcomes.
Women-only study populations were often postmenopausal.
Findings for women-only studies were characterized as 'mixed in terms of improved sexual health outcomes,' in contrast to the more consistent positive findings in men.
This represents a key distinction from the male and mixed-sex study findings.
The mixed findings in women-only studies suggest potential population-specific differences in maca's effects on sexual health.
Results
Maca use does not appear to negatively alter hormone levels across the studies reviewed.
The review explicitly noted that maca 'appears to impart favorable health benefits without negatively altering hormone levels.'
This finding applied across the reviewed human trials.
The absence of hormonal disruption was identified as a notable characteristic of maca-derived products.
This finding is relevant to the safety profile of maca as a dietary supplement.
Conclusions
The most commonly used dose of maca across human trials was approximately 3 grams per day of maca powder or an equivalent preparation.
The review identified approximately 3 grams per day as the standard dose used in most human trials.
Preparations included maca powder or equivalent formulations.
Maca-derived products are described as widely available as dietary supplements.
The authors noted that 'additional research is needed to extend the findings,' indicating the evidence base is still developing.
What This Means
This research review examined the scientific evidence on maca (Lepidium meyenii), a plant native to Peru, and its effects on sexual health and libido. The researchers searched major scientific databases and analyzed multiple human clinical studies. They found that maca generally appeared to have positive effects on libido and sexual health, particularly in men and in studies that included both men and women, without causing harmful changes to hormone levels like testosterone or estrogen. However, results were less consistent in studies involving women only, who were often postmenopausal.
The typical dose used across most human studies was about 3 grams per day of maca powder or a similar preparation. Maca-derived products are widely available as dietary supplements, and the review suggests the available evidence is promising enough to support further investigation. The fact that no negative hormonal effects were observed is noteworthy from a safety standpoint.
This research suggests that maca may be a useful supplement for supporting libido and sexual health, especially in men, but the evidence for women — particularly postmenopausal women — is less clear and more variable. The authors concluded that while the data are promising, more research is needed before strong conclusions can be drawn. People interested in maca for sexual health should be aware that the science, while encouraging in some areas, is still developing.
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Richard J. Bloomer. (2026). Effects of Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) on Sexual Health and libido-A Review.. Journal of Dietary Supplements. https://doi.org/10.1080/19390211.2026.2727026