Maca Root for Men: Sexual Benefits Explained
Maca root, a plant that grows in the highlands of the Andes mountains of Peru, has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years.
According to the Peruvian populations that have used it for centuries, maca root has beneficial effects on well-being and sexual performance, including energy and metabolism, brain and heart health, menopausal symptoms in women, increased sex drive, and reduced sexual dysfunction.
Because of these potential wellness benefits and medicinal properties, maca has grown more popular in complementary and alternative medicine over the last few years.
If you’ve heard of the benefits of maca root for men (or are just learning about them now), you may wonder if it really has any positive effects on sexual health. Here’s what you should know.
What is Maca?
Scientists know maca as Lepidium meyenii or Lepidium meyenii Walp. You may also see it called Peruvian maca or Peruvian ginseng.
Though maca comes in different colours, yellow, red, and black are the most common. Many people prefer yellow maca roots due to their sweetness and wide variety of health benefits. Some research also suggests that the potential health benefits of maca may vary by color.
Maca root is often ground into maca root powder or made into maca root gelatinized powder. These can be added to food for an earthy flavour, and some people may add maca powder to coffee or smoothies for an energy boost. Extract of maca is also often sold in herbal supplement form as maca root capsules or pills.
But what does maca do for men and what’s the real story behind maca root benefits? Let us explain whether there are sexual benefits of maca root for men, debunk common myths about maca powder and maca extract, and go over potential adverse effects.
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Maca Root Benefits for Men
Maca root is rich in a number of nutrients, such as fibre, essential amino acids, fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants like vitamin C, and several other bioactive compounds that may support its medicinal properties.
But can extracts of maca or maca root powder increase sex drive? Could the effects of maca root improve sexual dysfunction like erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation?
Keep reading to learn about the health benefits of maca root for men.
Increases Libido
Is the hype around maca as an aphrodisiac real? Some evidence suggests that increased libido is one potential benefit of maca for men.
A 2010 systematic review of the effects of L. meyenii on sexual function found evidence from four high-quality studies with a total of 131 participants that maca root improved sexual desire after at least six weeks.
However, the studies included in the review were small, and the researchers said the evidence was too limited to draw firm conclusions.
So, although the research is promising, it’s currently unclear whether maca root libido benefits are real.
Reduces Sexual Dysfunction
Maca root could improve sexual function — specifically, the effects of maca might help those with erectile dysfunction, one of the most common types of sexual dysfunction.
The above review also looked at evidence from one randomized controlled study and found that maca was more effective than a placebo for those with mild erectile dysfunction.
That said, this study was too small to draw a conclusive result about the effectiveness of maca for erectile dysfunction or other types of sexual dysfunction.
Improves Fertility
Some studies seem to suggest that taking maca for fertility could be beneficial and may improve sexual health — namely, sperm quality and sperm concentration — in men.
One pilot study of 20 men found that those who took maca extract as a dietary supplement improved sperm count and motility over three months. However, this study was extremely small.
Another small placebo-controlled pilot study involved 69 men with poor sperm motility, low sperm count, or both. Compared to a placebo, 2 grams of maca supplementation each day significantly increased sperm count after 12 weeks. However, there were no differences in sperm motility, sperm shape, or semen volume.
Similarly, a 2022 systematic review of five studies on the effect of Lepidium meyenii on sperm motility and sperm count found mixed results on maca's effectiveness in men experiencing infertility. More research is needed to determine if maca root fertility is a legitimate claim.
Benefits Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is when the prostate (a walnut-shaped gland that’s important for reproductive health) is enlarged. BPH can affect sexual function, potentially leading to erectile dysfunction, reduced sexual satisfaction, and low sex drive.
Animal studies suggest that maca root extracts may help reduce prostate size. However, more research is needed to determine how maca root affects BPH in human subjects.
Boosts Energy
One of the most common maca powder benefits is that it can improve energy levels.
A 2016 double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 175 people found that taking 3 grams of black or red maca daily for 12 weeks increased energy levels compared to a placebo.
An animal study on the effects of maca in mice found similar results — specifically, that maca extracts improved metabolism.
A small 2023 study included 44 male elite athletes taking 2.5 grams of 100 percent concentrated extract of black maca twice daily for eight weeks. It found that black maca benefits included improved aerobic metabolism in the athletes.
While all of this research is promising, larger studies are needed to see if maca root powder or extracts of maca increase energy.
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Common Myths About Maca Root Benefits
What other sexual benefits of maca root for men are real? Can extracts of maca improve testicular function and increase serum testosterone levels? And when it comes to erections, does maca increase size?
While there are claims that maca root powder or extract of maca can improve sexual function — the internet is full of ways to use maca to boost testosterone, for example — there’s limited research to support them.
Maca Root Side Effects
Studies have shown that using maca is generally safe and doesn't lead to adverse effects.
One study of 175 people found that a 3-gram dose of red or black maca per day for three months was well-tolerated and didn’t cause any serious side effects.
Maca root side effects aren’t common, but some people experience mild headaches or stomach issues.
One 2024 editorial article raised concerns that maca's stimulant properties could potentially affect sleep and mood. However, further research is still needed to validate these concerns.
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Maca Root for Men: Is It Worth It?
Maca root has been used for centuries for its ability to address a variety of health conditions.
One of the purported benefits is that maca root for men reduces sexual dysfunction and improves male fertility while potentially decreasing prostate size and boosting energy.
Though smaller studies show promising effects on men’s sexual behaviour, results are mixed, and more research, including clinical trials, is needed to understand the effects of maca.
A 2018 article underlined this point, noting that many of the health claims related to maca aren’t entirely supported by research at this time and that more studies are needed. The authors also highlighted that there’s not enough information to determine the dose, frequency, or duration of use of maca that provides benefits.
Currently, the most effective, scientifically proven treatments for sexual dysfunction are erectile dysfunction medications and premature ejaculation treatments. The most common ED treatments are oral medications, such as Viagra® (sildenafil), Levitra® (vardenafil), Stendra® (avanafil), and Cialis® (tadalafil).
If you’re concerned about fertility and reproductive health or your testosterone levels, read up on how to naturally increase testosterone or learn more about foods that boost testosterone levels.
You can also seek medical advice by booking an appointment with a healthcare provider to explore the cause of low sex drive or testosterone and find the right treatment for you.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment or medication.