SynthesisBMC complementary and alternative medicine2010
Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review.
Synthesis in BMC complementary and alternative medicine, 2010. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 33 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
33 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 114 citations in OpenAlex.
- Efficacy of Hormonal and Non-Hormonal Vaginal Gel Preparations on the Female Sexual Satisfaction Index in Postmenopausal Women with Sexual Dysfunction Syndrome:Sultan Qaboos University medical journal · 2025Pooled it
- Maca (Frontiers in pharmacology · 2022Pooled it
- Interventions for sexual dysfunction following treatments for cancer in women.The Cochrane database of systematic reviews · 2016Pooled it
- A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of a Botanical Formulation for Symptom Management in Male Climacteric Syndrome.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2026Trial
- Effect of fennel vaginal cream on sexual function in postmenopausal women: A double blind randomized controlled trial.Journal of medicine and lifeTrial
- Next-Generation Adaptogens: Molecular Mechanisms, Bioactive Compounds and Human Health Relevance of Selected Botanicals and Fungi.International journal of molecular sciences · 2026Review
- Phytochemical-based nanomedicine as a promising therapeutic strategy for erectile dysfunction.Asian journal of andrology · 2026Review
- Plant-derived bioactives in depression-related and antidepressant-associated sexual dysfunction: a narrative review.Frontiers in nutrition · 2026Review
- The effects ofHeliyon · 2025Article
- Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses.Nutrients · 2024Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Maca (The world journal of men's health · 2023Article
- Harder, better, faster, stronger? Retrospective chart review of adverse events of interactions between adaptogens and antidepressant drugs.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2023Article
- Article
- Efficacy of the Complementary and Alternative Therapies for the Management of Psychological Symptoms of Menopause: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Journal of menopausal medicine · 2021Review
- West meets east: open up a dialogue on phytomedicine.Chinese medicine · 2021Review
- Alternative medicine and herbal remedies in the treatment of erectile dysfunction: A systematic review.Arab journal of urology · 2021Review
- Heavy metals in soils and edible tissues ofToxicology reports · 2021Article
- Article
- Efficacy and Safety of Common Ingredients in Aphrodisiacs Used for Erectile Dysfunction: A Review.Sexual medicine reviews · 2020Review
- Comparison of the effect of Elaeagnus angustifolia flower capsule and sildenafil citrate tablet female sexual interest/arousal disorder in clinical trial study.Journal of family medicine and primary care · 2019Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundMaca (Lepidium meyenii) is an Andean plant of the brassica (mustard) family. Preparations from maca root have been reported to improve sexual function. The aim of this review was to assess the clinical evidence for or against the effectiveness of the maca plant as a treatment for sexual dysfunction.
methodsWe searched 17 databases from their inception to April 2010 and included all randomised clinical trials (RCTs) of any type of maca compared to a placebo for the treatment of healthy people or human patients with sexual dysfunction. The risk of bias for each study was assessed using Cochrane criteria, and statistical pooling of data was performed where possible. The selection of studies, data extraction, and validations were performed independently by two authors. Discrepancies were resolved through discussion by the two authors.
resultsFour RCTs met all the inclusion criteria. Two RCTs suggested a significant positive effect of maca on sexual dysfunction or sexual desire in healthy menopausal women or healthy adult men, respectively, while the other RCT failed to show any effects in healthy cyclists. The further RCT assessed the effects of maca in patients with erectile dysfunction using the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-5 and showed significant effects.
conclusionThe results of our systematic review provide limited evidence for the effectiveness of maca in improving sexual function. However, the total number of trials, the total sample size, and the average methodological quality of the primary studies were too limited to draw firm conclusions. More rigorous studies are warranted.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.