Maca for Fertility
If you want to improve your chances of getting pregnant, you might want to try adding maca root to your diet. In this article we’ll take a deep look at how to get the most out of using maca for fertility.
- Introduction
- Maca’s Accidental Discovery
- 4 Ways Maca Can Help Both Male and Female Fertility
- Scientific Studies on Maca Root and Fertility
- How To Use Maca For Fertility – A Complete Guide
- Maca for Fertility Success Stories
- The Best Maca to Use For Fertility
- Final Words
Introduction
Maca root, scientifically known as Lepidium meyenii, is a cruciferous root vegetable native to the high Andes mountain range in Peru and Bolivia. This humble root is a nutritional powerhouse and has been used by natives of the Andes both as a food and a medicine.
One long standing and traditional use of maca is for improving fertility. Maca for fertility, in fact, might be one of the most consistent and important uses for this superfood.
Maca’s Accidental Discovery
The use of maca root in traditional Peruvian medicine goes back 1000 or more years. People living in high elevations ate maca to boost endurance, libido, and reproductive health. The Incas later viewed maca as a sacred plant and used it in rituals, ceremonies, and as currency. But how did people start using it in the first place?
The story is that the Pumpush people in Junin, Peru, found maca root by accident. Early farmers kept livestock, including vicunas, llamas and alpacas, on the dry treeless slopes of the high Andes. Some of the animals wandered to a pasture where maca roots were growing and began consuming them.
Over time the farmers noticed that the animals that ate maca roots were stronger and healthier than those that didn’t. They also noticed that maca fed animals were more fertile and produced stronger offspring than those that didn’t eat any maca.
It wasn’t long before people started trying maca for themselves. They too noticed increased energy and endurance as well as a boost in fertility (and libido). LINK Their ancient knowledge was passed down through generations in Peru and is now shared with people worldwide.
4 Ways Maca Can Help Both Male and Female Fertility
Maca is one of a few foods and herbs that are believed to be “adaptogens.” These special plants can adapt to your body and restore balance for improved health when you incorporate them into your diet. They have the ability to adjust to various conditions within your body, which can ultimately lead to better overall health. Maca in particular works on the endocrine system to balance and regulate hormone levels in both men and women.
Hormonal Balance
One of the primary ways maca root enhances fertility is by balancing the endocrine system. Imbalances in hormones often disrupt ovulation in women and reduce sperm quality in men. Maca root contains unique compounds called macaenes and macamides, which are thought to help regulate the endocrine system. This can improve women's menstrual cycles and hormone balance. It can also enhance sperm production and quality in men.
Increased Libido and Sexual Function
Sexual desire and function are significant components of fertility. Research suggests that maca root can enhance libido in both men and women. A study published in the journal Andrologia found that men who consumed maca root for 12 weeks experienced a significant increase in sexual desire compared to those who took a placebo. Similarly, women have reported improvements in sexual function and desire, which can positively impact fertility.
Improved Sperm Quality
For men, sperm quality is a critical factor in fertility. Maca root can help improve sperm quality by increasing sperm count, movement, and shape. A study conducted by Gonzales et al. (2001) found that men who took maca root for four months had improved sperm production and motility. This improvement can increase the chances of successful fertilization.
Enhanced Egg Quality
In women, egg quality declines with age, affecting fertility. There are few studies on how maca root affects egg quality. However, its ability to balance hormones and provide important nutrients suggests it may improve ovarian health. Improved hormonal balance can lead to more consistent ovulation and healthier eggs, enhancing fertility.
In addition to improving a person's hormonal balance, taking maca also provides excellent nutritional support. Maca is rich in amino acids, phytonutrients, fatty acids, vitamin and minerals. See full maca nutrition facts here.
Scientific Studies on Maca Root and Fertility
Research on Men
Several studies have investigated the effects of maca root on male fertility. One notable study by Gonzales et al. (2001) involved nine adult men who were given 1,500 or 3,000 mg of maca root daily for four months. The results showed a significant increase in sperm volume, count, and motility without affecting testosterone levels. Another study published in the journal Fertility and Sterility found that maca supplementation improved sperm concentration and motility in men with mild erectile dysfunction.
Research on Women
Research on the effects of maca root on female fertility is less extensive but promising. A study published in the International Journal of Biomedical Science examined the effects of maca root on postmenopausal women and found that it helped reduce menopausal symptoms and improve hormonal balance. While this study focused on postmenopausal women, the findings suggest potential benefits for hormonal regulation in women of reproductive age.
To date these are the major studies showing how maca supports fertility:
- Gonzales, G. F., et al. “Effect of Black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on one spermatogenic cycle in rats.” Andrologia. 2006 Oct; 38(5): 166-72.
- Bustos-Obregon, E., et al. “Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reduces spermatogenic damage induced by a single dose of malathion in mice.” Asian J. Androl. 2005 Mar; 7(1): 71-6.
- Ruiz-Luna, A.C., et al. “Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice.” Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol. 2005 May; 3(1): 16.
- Gonzales, C., et al. “Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on spermatogenesis in rats.” J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Feb 20; 103(3): 448-54.
- Gonzales, G. F., et al. “Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenesis in male rats acutely exposed to high altitude (4340 m).” J. Endocrinol. 2004; 180(1): 87-95.
- Al Calde, Ana Maria, et al. Does Lepidium meyenii (Maca) improve seminal quality?" Andrologia. 2020; Nov (52) 10.
- Ulloa Del Carpio, Norka "Exploring the chemical and pharmacological variability of Lepidium meyenii: a comprehensive review of the effects of maca." Frontiers in Pharmacology; 2024 Feb 19:15:1360422.
How to Use Maca for Fertility
If you do decide to use maca supplements or powder for fertility purposes, there are several things that you should do and keep in mind in order to maximize your success.
- Use only high quality, fresh, certified organic maca powder or supplements. Sadly, there are lots of low-quality products made from chemically grown or old maca roots that can't help with fertility.
- Use the right amount of maca. Taking maca for fertility is considered a therapeutic practice. It is important to take a consistent and regular dosage. Our full maca dosage guidelines are here.
- Both partners should use maca. For maximum efficacy, you and your partner should both be taking maca. Maca is safe and comes with a number of other benefits, so it should be easy to convince him/her to do so.
- Women should consider using red maca for fertility. This maca root powder is great for women's fertility, hormones, and ovulation. It is very nutritious and beneficial.
- Men should use black maca for their fertility. Black maca has been shown to increase sperm count and sperm motility.
- Try cleansing and detoxing too. Completing a thorough cleansing program will help you get more out of your maca. A good detox will cleanse your intestines and allow your body to absorb more nutrients.
Maca for Fertility Success Stories
Here are some couples who’ve reported having success using maca for fertility.
"We tried a lot of things to get pregnant before we learned about Peruvian Maca in a book on natural fertility. My husband and I started taking it religiously after that. I got pregnant 6 months later and I’m sure the maca helped." Jennifer and Ray Collins, Washington
"I believe that Maca helped us to conceive naturally when conventional fertility treatments failed. I now have a happy & healthy baby." Rachel.W, United Kingdom
"My wife and I were together for 7 years before we conceived. The only thing we did differently prior to that was to complete a round of serious detox and to start taking Maca. I'm convinced that Maca played an important part in getting pregnant. And with no side effects." Matt Leonard
"Just to share, my wife became pregnant after consuming maca for about six months after ten years of trying to have a kid; we have been sharing this miracle product with our friends who are trying to have children too. Also, my aged parents have also informed us that the Maca product has somehow given them more energy in their daily activities." - Kiang Meng
"I've order from The Maca Team twice and I absolutely love the gelatinized maca powder. After researching high and low about maca powder, in which The Maca Team was the most informative, initially my cousin and I order all three powders. Not only did I gain my energy back, my PMS was 100% improved, and I became pregnant, which I thought I couldn't have any more kids. Maca powder has changed my life for the better and I love letting everybody. I refer it to everyone" - Evelyn Johnson
"My husband has a varicocele and has had many semen analysis tests completed in the past. We have done IUI 4 times in the past year, the first 3 his sperm counts (after wash) was a total of 1.8-2.4 million with about 60% or less motility. He had been taking clomid to improve his count. In December he started your black maca (6 capsules per day), we had a new test done this week and his count was 19.4 million with 85% motility! This was amazing and totally shocking. The only thing that changed from the previous tests was the maca. We did not end up pregnant from that round of IUI. But a few months later we did! My husband had actually stopped the clomid but continued the Maca and we became pregnant naturally, without any medical intervention. This is was a complete shock given we had been trying naturally for over 5 years. Black maca in our case truly helped us conceive." - Anonymous customer
The Best Maca to Use For Fertility
Maca root is well-known for its potential health benefits, including improving fertility. Our organic Maca is top-notch and can help balance hormones in men and women.
We offer several types of maca colors and presentations in our store. And after years of experience we've discovered that the best maca root powder for fertility is: black maca root for males and red maca for females.
Final Words
To improve fertility and hormone balance, you may want to consider using maca first, before resorting to expensive procedures. Research shows that maca can help improve fertility and regulate hormone levels and thereby can increase the chances of conception. In addition, by using maca you may see other positive changes in your reproductive health and overall well-being.
If you have any health concerns about adding maca to your diet, please talk to your healthcare provider.
We hope this article helps. Let us know how else we can help!
Enjoy the day!
