- Lindsey Dalton
- October 16, 2024
Maca Root and Hormone Balance
The vast majority of women in perimenopause or post menopause experience a wide range of bothersome symptoms including hot flashes, sleep and mood disturbances, decreased libido, vaginal dryness, weight gain, and more.1 We have talked about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in a previous blog post linked here, but that may not be an option for every woman out there seeking relief. One natural option is from a plant called maca.
What is maca?
Maca is a plant that was originally from the Andes Mountains in Peru. Its scientific name is Lepidum meyenii and is related to vegetables like kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. It is an adaptogen, which means that it is thought to help the body with adapting to stress and normalize bodily processes. It supports the body in hormone production through the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Some of maca’s potential benefits on hormonal symptoms are improving sexual function, relieving menopausal symptoms, and improving mood.2
An article examined the use of 2,000 mg of the Maca-GO® formulation daily in perimenopausal women to evaluate clinical response and symptom alleviation. The authors found after two months of treatment, FSH levels in the experimental group were increasing compared to placebo (P<0.01), as well as overall estradiol and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels compared to placebo (P<0.05). This article was a part of a series of articles that found evidence that this specific formulation of specific maca phenotypes called Maca-GO®, had an impact on FSH, LH, estradiol, and progesterone in women in the early stages of menopause. It is currently the only formulation that has been found to make this measurable impact on hormones. Overall, about 83% of participants endorsed a decrease in general discomfort associated with early menopausal symptoms.3 Another study that looked at 45 women with sexual dysfunction caused by antidepressants found that using 3000 mg of maca root daily for 12 weeks improved libido compared to placebo.4
What we recommend
The brand of maca we love and trust is Femmenessence. They offer multiple products that target hormone health at all ages and stages from menstruation and post menopause. Maca-GO®, as mentioned in the research above, is the proprietary ingredient and only available in Femmenessence products. Maca-GO® is sourced from organic farms in Peru and then goes through a proprietary, 100% natural, manufacturing process that is GMP, Organic and Kosher certified. This process concentrates the full spectrum of active ingredients and maximizes the bioavailability. You can purchase FemmenessencePRO PERI at our store or check out all 3 of their products
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Maca has many potential benefits and it may be the right option for certain patients. It is a natural option for hormone imbalances that lead to bothersome menopausal symptoms. You can get connected with one of our pharmacists today to learn more about hormone balance and the options that are available. Schedule a free 15 minute consultation here.
Written by Katelynn Webster, Pharm D. and edited by Lindsey Dalton, Pharm D.
References:
1. Bioidentical hormones: Therapy, uses, Safety & Side effects. Cleveland Clinic. Accessed March 29, 2024. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/15660-bioidentical-hormones.
2. Minich DM, Ross K, Frame J, Fahoum M, Warner W, Meissner HO. Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses. Nutrients. 2024;16(4):530. Published 2024 Feb 14. doi:10.3390/nu16040530
3. Meissner HO, Reich-Bilinska H, Mscisz A, Kedzia B. Therapeutic Effects of Pre-Gelatinized Maca (Lepidium Peruvianum Chacon) used as a Non-Hormonal Alternative to HRT in Perimenopausal Women – Clinical Pilot Study. Int J Biomed Sci. 2006;2(2):143-159.
4. Dording CM, Schettler PJ, Dalton ED, et al. A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:949036. doi:10.1155/2015/949036
Dr. Dalton’s areas of focus include disease state management, medication therapy management, and health/wellness coaching. She is a Whole30 Certified Coach, and is passionate about helping people improve their lives through lifestyle modifications. She has seen first hand how changing food alone can vastly improve your health.
