Maca Root Benefits for Women: What the Science Says

What’s Maca Root?

Maca comes from the root of a cruciferous plant grown mainly in the Andes Mountains. Other names that refer to maca include Peruvian ginseng and Lepidium meyenii. For over 2000 years, maca has been grown in the Andes Mountains of Peru for food and medicinal purposes.

“Maca root itself is highly nutritious. It's got plenty of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals” says Dr. Eileen Wang, MD. The herb is a superfood with an exceptional profile, containing multiple ingredients, including vitamins, protein, carbs, and roughage.

It has elevated amounts of iron, antioxidants, and vital amino acids. As an adaptogen, maca root can help the body adjust to stressful situations.

Indigenous communities prepared maca in various ways and used it for soups, brewed beverages, and jams. In the modern world, maca is prepared in powder form and added to various foods and drinks. You can also take the capsule form of the herb to boost your nutritional requirements.

What Are the Key Benefits of Maca for Women?

In the traditional setup, maca root was used to boost fertility, support menses, enhance sexual drive, and promote vitality. These days, demand for the herb has increased, prompting the scientific community to study how maca root benefits women.

Eileen Wang, MD, MSCP for Modern Menopause, says;

Maca root has a lot of potential as a supplement for women's health. Limited studies have suggested that it may improve sexual function and limit menopause symptoms.

Here are the key benefits of maca root for women:

Benefits of Maca for Women

1. Maca root for women's fertility

'Does maca root help fertility?' Many women trying to conceive turn to this herb for its ability to support balanced progesterone and estrogen levels—hormones critical for reproductive health.

These balanced levels may also help with menopause, menses, and perimenopause symptoms, though more research is needed.

Maca's alkaloid compounds enhance the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system, boosting hormone production that supports overall and reproductive health. This makes fertility support one of maca's most valued benefits for women trying to conceive.

A study on rats published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology, suggests that maca’s alkaloid helps female’s fertility by stimulating the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH). This hormone is central to ovulation and proper reproductive function.^[1]

Another study from Int J Biomed Sci suggests that during menopause, maca can boost the production of various hormones, such as follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol. These hormones can relieve symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause.^[2]

Furthermore, maca's adaptogenic qualities may help women adjust to stressful conditions. Remember, stress is associated with fertility problems, and maca can help in this aspect.

Take a deeper dive into the subject with guidance from an industry expert in this video.

2. Support of mental health

The modern woman plays various roles, ranging from childbearing and challenging careers to leadership responsibilities. These roles need heavy brain energy, focus, and multitasking capabilities. While undertaking these roles, you might expose yourself to chronic stress, which might take a toll on your brain health.

Maca root contains various brain health nutrients that support brain wellbeing. The essential fatty acids and antioxidants help various components of cognitive health. For example, fatty acids help smooth blood flow to the brain, which in turn supports cognitive roles.

Study on animal models published in Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine shows that maca root enhances cognitive function and endurance abilities.

The polysaccharides in this medicinal herb shield the brain by boosting antioxidant levels. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals and decrease the harm caused by them later.[3]

3. Can Boost Libido

Modern lifestyles can take a toll on some women’s desire for sex. The good news is that you can take advantage of the benefits of maca for women to overcome the challenge.

For centuries, maca for female libido has attracted the interest of many people, including the scientific community. Here are the qualities of maca root that support sexual health:

• Women with low libido can leverage the herb’s adaptogenic properties to boost their sexual drive.
• Maca is backed with multiple ingredients like prostaglandins and sterols with aphrodisiac qualities. These ingredients boost testosterone levels.
• Also, maca supports the secretion of chemicals like luteinizing hormones, which are essential in women's sexual desire.
• The herb has essential vitamins, fatty acids, and zinc that boost sexual drive.

A systematic review of research published in BMC complementary and alternative medicine showed that maca improved sexual function in healthy menopausal women. This indicates that women can rekindle their sexual desire even after menopause.^[4]

Another trial published in eCAM showed that women who take antidepressants can also reap the benefits of maca. The supplement can reignite sexual interest, rekindle arousal, and promote orgasm.^[5]

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4. Supports Daily vitality

According to the Centers for Disease Control, women get more exhausted than men. Most of them turn to stimulants like coffee and chocolate to replenish the lost energy. Instead of relying on jitter-backed options, you can leverage maca for energy. Here are the mechanisms through which maca root supports daily energy generation:

• Adaptogenic properties: These qualities help maca to control your stress response, which is good for other processes, such as blood sugar regulation, control of cortisol levels, and boosting the sleep cycle.
• Superfood class: Maca root has multiple energy-enhancing nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and amino acids. Women, especially those in the childbearing stage, may incessantly feel exhausted due to low iron. Your healthcare provider can advise you on the best way forward if you think that you're suffering from iron deficiency.
• Emotional health: Maca helps to maintain optimal mental well-being. And excellent emotional health results in more energy.

A study on maca’s energy production published in Pharmaceuticals indicated that people who took 3 grams of the superfood for 3 months experienced enhanced energy levels.^[6]

More recent research from Functional Foods in Health and Disease has shown that women who take 9.6 grams daily of the maca root have low levels of exhaustion.^[7]

5. Supports strong bones

As you reach menopause, the density of your bones might drop due to hormonal swings. This might lead to complications like osteoporosis that may cost you an arm and a leg to treat.

Maca root has powerful ingredients, including calcium and magnesium, that can support bone structure. Furthermore, the Peruvian herb has macamides and macaenes that help in the prevention of bone loss.

Research published in the Journal of ethnopharmacology shows that maca can prevent the loss of estrogen, a hormone connected to bone health. The presence of estrogen ensures that your bones are protected from various conditions, including osteoporosis.^[8]

6. Relieves menopause signs

Women experiencing menopause for the first time experience various symptoms that maca extract can relieve. The herb is helpful in hormone balancing, thus clearing menopause-related signs. Here are some symptoms related to menopause that maca root minimizes:

• Hot flushes
• Sleep challenges
• Vaginal dryness
• depression

Research published in Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine shows that maca root reduces hot flashes and boosts good sleep cycles during menopause. This happens through the herb's hormonal balancing abilities.^[9]

7. Boost Menstruation Comfort

Many women experience multiple difficulties during menses, including mood changes, inconsistent periods, and pain. Those who encounter these challenges look for alternative medicines like maca extract to ease the symptoms. Here are the benefits of maca for women during menstruation:

• Hormonal balancing: This minimizes difficulties during menses
• Adaptogenic properties: This helps to reduce anxiety-related symptoms during menstruation.
• Multiple nutrients: The herb has numerous nutrients that support regular menses.

Studies on animal models published in IJBS show that maca root helps to balance estrogen and progesterone levels, helping women who experience menstrual cycle symptoms.^[2]

8. Support Thyroid Health

Maca is often discussed for its potential benefits in hormone balance, and that includes some promising links to thyroid support.

As an adaptogen, maca may help the body respond more efficiently to physical and emotional stressors, which can, in turn, support healthy adrenal function and overall hormonal harmony.

But what does this mean for the thyroid specifically? Maca naturally contains iodine, an important micronutrient required for making thyroid hormones.

In a study published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science found that TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) levels, which dropped significantly in ovariectomized rats (mimicking postmenopausal hormone decline), were restored to near-normal levels after maca supplementation.^[2]

How Much Maca Should a Woman Take Daily?

Your ideal maca root supplement dosage depends on the form you're using and your specific health goals. For most women, the recommended daily dose of typically ranges from 1,500 to 3,500 mg, whether you're taking it as powder, capsules, or extract.

A study published in Menopause offers promising insights into maca's benefits for postmenopausal women. Participants who took 3.5 grams of maca daily for six weeks experienced notable improvements in anxiety, depression, and sexual dysfunction^[10].

For more on maca dosage, check out this article - Maca Dosage

What Does Maca Root Do for Women’s Health?

Maca roots exist in three colours (red, yellow, and black) with slightly different nutritional values. Understanding what each colour entails is critical before making an informed choice.

• Yellow Maca: This type of maca is backed with various compounds that boost energy, help in hormone balancing and libido enhancement, and offer fertility support. Individuals can use yellow maca benefits to reduce stress and boost their immune system.
• Red Maca: The red maca has nutrients that reduce anxiety, fatigue, and strengthen bones. Furthermore, many benefits of red maca revolve around female fertility and sexual drive.
• Black maca: The red maca has antioxidant properties, combats oxidative stress, regulates blood sugars, and strengthens bones.

In summary

Safety Tips & When To Use Maca

“If you want to try taking maca root supplements, it's probably safe to do so, but you should definitely consult with a doctor first, especially if you're on any prescription medications, and don't expect amazing or reliable results” says Dr. Eileen Wang

Here are few safety measures to consider:

• Start with a lower dose and gradually increase to assess tolerance
• Consult your healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications
• Avoid maca if you have thyroid conditions, as it contains goitrogens
• Take breaks from supplementation (cycle on and off) to maintain effectiveness
• Discontinue use if you experience digestive discomfort or allergic reactions
• Monitor hormone-sensitive conditions closely when using maca

How to Choose a Good Maca Supplement?

• Look for organic, non-GMO certification to avoid pesticides
• Choose gelatinized maca for better digestibility and absorption
• Verify the product specifies the maca type (yellow, red, or black)
• Check for third-party testing (USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab certification)
• Select reputable brands with transparent sourcing from Peru
• Avoid products with unnecessary fillers, additives, or artificial ingredients