Maca Root for Fertility

What Is Maca Root?

If you have been exploring natural remedies and more holistic approaches to benefit your reproductive health, you may have heard of maca root. Perhaps you’ve spotted it on the shelves in your local health foods store? Or perhaps you’ve heard its name, but aren’t sure of the benefits that it may offer you? 

Put simply, maca root (Lepidium meyenii) is a Peruvian superfood, used for centuries among indigenous populations in the Andes mountains for its energy, stamina, and reproductive health benefits. In the late 17th century, Spanish explorers noted that indigenous women who struggled to conceive often consumed maca root to treat infertility.

Rich in amino acids, fiber, vitamins (B, C, E), minerals (iron, zinc, iodine, calcium, magnesium), and with a high antioxidant content, studies have attributed maca root to numerous health benefits, not only benefiting your reproductive health, but also serving as a natural remedy against respiratory issues and rheumatic pains too.

However, known for its effects on hormonal imbalances and potential to improve reproductive health, it has become a popular supplement for fertility and reproductive health today, not just in the Andes mountains but across the world.

How Does Maca Root Support Fertility?

Supports Hormonal Balance

Achieving a healthy hormonal balance is key when trying to get pregnant and improve your fertility. If you experience unwanted hormonal imbalances, it might seem difficult to identify where the problems lie, and even more difficult to understand how to regulate your hormones.

Although current research is limited, some studies have found that maca can be a natural remedy for hormonal issues that may affect women due to its effect on overall hormone imbalances.

Due to its adaptogenic* properties, consuming maca root each day may help regulate estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone levels, all of which play a key role in overall reproductive and sexual health.

*Adaptogens are special ingredients active in certain plants (such as maca) which can help restore balance to the body and help manage how the body responds to stress.

Improves Ovulation & Menstrual Regularity

Due to maca’s potential to support overall hormone balance, it may also in turn help regulate ovulation and menstrual cycles, especially for those who may deal with PCOS or other causes of irregular periods. 

PCOS affects anywhere between 6-13% of women across the world, and is one of the most common causes of ovulation issues and infertility, making it difficult to get pregnant. If you currently have PCOS and are trying to conceive, why not try combining your daily intake of maca root with our PCOS Supplements, for an added boost to help you?

Boosts Libido & Sexual Function

While many couples may struggle to conceive due to various reproductive disorders and syndromes, such as PCOS or endometriosis for example, for some couples, a lack of libido or proper sexual function can also make it difficult to get pregnant.

In 2010, studies detected a link between maca consumption and an enhanced sexual desire and libido, alongside additional overall benefits to reproductive function in both men and women.

We can attribute these benefits to maca’s high concentration of antioxidants and adaptogens, which in combination can help protect both eggs and sperm from oxidative stress, and consequently optimize overall conditions for fertilization and conception.

May Improve IVF & Conception Rates

When trying to get pregnant, many couples can benefit from maintaining an overall healthy diet and lifestyle to help their chances of conceiving, as well as for the benefit of the mother's health when she becomes pregnant.

Similar to many popular superfoods available today, there are a multitude of maca root benefits for women and men when consumed – not only helping with reproductive health, but also overall physical and mental health due to being rich in vitamins and minerals, as well as its high-antioxidant properties.

Supports Egg & Sperm Quality

Recent studies have suggested that maca may be able to support male reproductive health, with the potential to support improved sperm quality, offering promising reproductive benefits for men who may struggle with sperm count or motility issues. 

Although there is currently limited evidence to scientifically confirm a link between maca root and improved egg quality, maca is proven to be rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants offer countless overall health benefits to both men and women, but also offer protection for egg and sperm cells from oxidative stress.

While a direct connection between maca consumption and improved egg quality may not yet be confirmed, women can still benefit from the many antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals this plant offers, which all have a positive impact on not only your overall health, but the conditions of your reproductive system too.

For men looking to optimize their fertility naturally, Mira's Male Fertility Kit is a great complement to a balanced diet rich in fertility-supporting nutrients like maca. This kit is designed to provide key insights into sperm health, empowering men with the knowledge to make informed decisions about their reproductive journey.

By incorporating maca alongside fertility-supporting tools like Mira’s Male Fertility Kit, both men and women can take proactive steps toward enhancing reproductive health.

Scientific Evidence: Does Maca Root Really Work for Fertility?

Various studies have been able to recognize a link between maca consumption and its benefits to overall female fertility, with research suggesting maca may help balance reproductive hormones, which are vital components of achieving a good overall reproductive health.

The same studies also found a connection between maca and an improvement in male reproductive health, helping to improve sperm count, motility, and morphology.

However, while some fertility specialists may recommend maca as part of a more holistic approach to fertility issues, for more conclusive evidence on maca root benefits to reproductive health, particularly in women, more human studies may be needed.

How to Use Maca Root for Fertility

Due to its increased popularity in recent years in the global market, there are many options available in how you can choose to introduce maca root into your diet.

The recommended maca dosage for fertility is approximately 1,500–3,000 mg per day, and can be consumed in various forms.

The most common forms are:

• Maca powder (easy to mix in smoothies, yogurt)

• Capsules (convenient and precise dosing)

• Liquid Extracts (fast absorption)

The various options available for maca dietary supplements leave you with more options to explore what works best for you, and how you prefer to incorporate it into your diet. To help you remember to take it, we suggest creating a way to introduce it into your daily routines. Why not try taking your maca vitamin each morning with your breakfast, or after your evening meal, for example?

Although you may take your maca plant supplement every day, remember to be patient in reaping the benefits. It may take several weeks or even months before you begin to see any noticeable effects, particularly with your reproductive health, which we know follows an average 28-day cycle pattern in women.

If you would like help in recognizing whether your maca pills benefit your monthly cycle and overall reproductive health, try using the Mira Hormone Monitor, Wands, and the Mira app to track your ovulation and menstrual cycles and see if you can spot an improvement since introducing the supplement into your diet.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Take Maca for Fertility?

Best Candidates for Maca Root

While the vast majority of people can enjoy the antioxidant benefits maca root offers, there are certain people who may be able to benefit the most from this particular supplement, particularly when it comes to its potential reproductive benefits.

For example, due to its potential to help regulate hormonal imbalances, those who experience irregular cycles or ovulatory issues may benefit from incorporating maca root into their daily diet. Maca has also been found to be particularly beneficial for men struggling with low sperm count or libido. 

That being said, as there is limited evidence supporting maca’s effectiveness for improving more severe infertility issues, which may require medical diagnosis and treatment, maca may be more beneficial for couples who seek a holistic, natural approach to help them conceive.

Who Should Avoid It?

While generally safe to consume, it is important to note that maca is not recommended for certain individuals. For example, we do not recommend this supplement for the following groups of people:

• Those with thyroid disorders due to maca’s goitrogen properties, which may interfere with proper thyroid function.

• Those on hormone-sensitive medications due to its potential to impact a person’s hormones. If you are on certain medication and wish to try maca but are concerned about any adverse effects, we recommend talking to your medical professional first.

• Pregnant individuals. Despite maca’s reputation for improving fertility and reproductive health, there is limited data on how it can affect both mother and baby when consumed.

Maca Root vs. Other Natural Fertility Boosters

Besides maca root, there are also various other natural fertility boosters that can each bring their own benefits. 

Take a look at this comparison table below, where we compare the benefits of maca root vs. other natural fertility boosters:

As you can see, different supplements can provide you with different benefits.

While a maca supplement may help with general fertility support, supplements like our Prenatals provide additional support for reproductive health and help ensure you are receiving a sufficient amount of the specific vitamins and minerals that you will need when trying to conceive.

Final Thoughts: Is Maca Root Worth Trying for Fertility?

Maca root is a proven superfood that humans have consumed for centuries, rich with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and offering a multitude of potential health benefits. In the last couple of decades, its popularity has grown worldwide due to the popular belief that it can also help improve fertility in both men and women when consumed, especially when improving hormonal imbalances and sperm quality.

As with many holistic, natural approaches, the best results from maca root consumption can be achieved when combined with an overall healthy diet and effective stress management, as well as individual medical guidance, as every person’s body is unique and may respond to certain things differently.

As conclusive scientific evidence is limited on the maca root benefits for females regarding fertility, we recommend consulting your doctor before incorporating any supplements into your diet, especially if on medication. They can help you make the right, informed decision for you, and make you feel confident in your choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does maca do for men?

Recent studies have found a promising link between maca and its benefits to male reproductive health and sexual function, such as improving sperm count and motility, as well as offering potential benefits to those experiencing erectile dysfunction.

Does maca root work for fertility issues and hormonal imbalance?

While conclusive data is currently limited, some studies have found a positive link between maca root consumption and improved fertility and the regulation of pre-existing hormonal imbalances.

How is maca root extracted?

Maca root is extracted by being hand dug and sun-dried for approximately two weeks, before careful and thorough dehydration. It is then finally ground into a fine powder, where it is easy to consume and incorporate into a daily diet.