Evidence supporting the use of: Maca
For the health condition: Amenorrhea

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable native to the Andes, traditionally used for its perceived effects on fertility, energy, and hormonal balance. Its use for amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) is primarily rooted in traditional Andean medicine rather than modern scientific validation. Historically, maca has been consumed by women experiencing various menstrual irregularities, with the belief that it helps restore hormonal equilibrium and supports reproductive health. However, direct references to its use specifically for amenorrhea in traditional texts are limited; much of the traditional support is extrapolated from its broader use for female reproductive health and vitality.

Scientific research on maca’s effect on amenorrhea is minimal. Most available studies focus on its impact on libido, mood, and general hormonal modulation, primarily in perimenopausal or postmenopausal women, rather than on the restoration of menstruation in amenorrheic women. A few small-scale studies have suggested that maca may influence hormonal markers such as LH, FSH, and estradiol, but these findings are inconsistent and not robust enough to support its efficacy for amenorrhea specifically. Therefore, while maca is used traditionally to support conditions that might include amenorrhea, current scientific evidence does not substantiate its use for this purpose.

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