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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility

Published on: May 30, 2025

Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review.

Byung-Cheul Shin¹, Myeong Soo Lee, Eun Jin Yang

¹Division of Clinical Medicine, School of Oriental Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan, South Korea.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

|August 10, 2010

Summary

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) shows limited evidence for improving sexual function. More rigorous studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness for sexual dysfunction due to small sample sizes and methodological limitations.

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility

Treatment Model for Young Patients with Psychogenic Erectile Dysfunction and Resultant Infertility

Published on: May 30, 2025

Area of Science:

Ethnobotany and Pharmacology
Integrative and Complementary Medicine

Background:

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a plant from the Andes, belonging to the brassica family.
Traditional use suggests maca root preparations may enhance sexual function.

Purpose of the Study:

To systematically review randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating maca's efficacy for sexual dysfunction.

Main Methods:

Searched 17 databases up to April 2010 for RCTs comparing maca to placebo.
Assessed risk of bias using Cochrane criteria and performed meta-analysis where feasible.
Independent review and data extraction by two authors.

Main Results:

Four RCTs met inclusion criteria.
Two RCTs indicated positive effects of maca on sexual desire/function in healthy women and men.
One RCT showed maca improved erectile dysfunction symptoms; another found no effect in cyclists.

Conclusions:

Limited evidence supports maca's effectiveness for sexual dysfunction.
Small trial numbers, sample sizes, and methodological quality restrict definitive conclusions.
Further high-quality research is necessary to validate maca's therapeutic potential.