Perimenopause can bring noticeable changes in energy, mood, sleep and sexual wellbeing. As women look for ways to support themselves through this transition, maca has become one of the botanicals attracting interest.
Maca (Lepidium meyenii or Lepidium peruvianum) is a root native to the Peruvian Andes, where it has been used traditionally as both a food and botanical ingredient. Modern research has explored its potential role in energy, mood, sexual wellbeing and menopausal quality of life.
So what do we actually know about maca during perimenopause?
What the Research Says About Maca and Perimenopause
Clinical research specifically in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women is still relatively small.
One randomized crossover pilot study followed 20 perimenopausal women taking 2 grams of pre-gelatinized maca daily. Researchers reported improvements in measures of menopausal discomfort during the study period.
Other placebo-controlled studies in early postmenopausal women have also reported changes in menopausal symptom scores following daily maca supplementation.
However, the evidence should be kept in perspective. A systematic review evaluating randomized trials concluded that the available studies showed encouraging results, but that the number of trials, participant numbers and overall methodological quality were too limited to draw firm conclusions.
In other words, maca is an interesting area of research for women navigating this stage of life, but the science is still developing.
Maca and Everyday Energy
Maca has a long traditional association with vitality and physical endurance, and modern research has also explored energy-related outcomes.
A randomized placebo-controlled study comparing black and red maca in adults examined measures including energy, mood and health-related quality of life over 12 weeks. Results supported further interest in maca, although the study was not specifically conducted in perimenopausal women.
For women during perimenopause, this makes maca particularly interesting as a botanical used to support natural energy, stamina and everyday vitality rather than as a source of hormones.
What About Mood and Sexual Wellbeing?
These are two other areas where maca has been studied.
Some clinical trials involving menopausal women have reported improvements in psychological measures and sexual wellbeing. A systematic review of maca and sexual function also identified some positive results, while emphasizing that the available evidence remains limited.
That distinction is important. Research gives us a reason to continue studying maca, but it does not mean every woman will experience the same effects.
Is Maca Hormonal?
Maca itself is not a hormone.
It is also different from botanicals commonly discussed for their phytoestrogen content, such as soy isoflavones.
Some maca studies have measured changes in reproductive hormones, while others have not found the same patterns. The mechanism behind maca's effects in humans therefore remains an active area of research.
For this reason, it is more accurate to describe maca as a botanical used to support wellbeing rather than as something that replaces or directly supplies female hormones.
Do Black, Red and Yellow Maca Have Different Benefits?
Maca roots naturally occur in several colors, including black, red and yellow.
Research suggests that different maca colors can have different phytochemical profiles. Black and red maca have also been studied separately in humans, while laboratory and animal research has identified additional differences between the colors.
However, human research directly comparing each color for specific benefits in perimenopausal women is still limited.
This means the color of maca is worth paying attention to, but claims that one color is definitively “for energy” while another is definitively “for women” go further than the current human evidence allows.
Why Use a Triple Blend?
A triple blend brings together the three best-known maca colors rather than relying on a single variety.
Femgenics Triple Blend Maca combines black, red and yellow maca, providing 1,500 mg of organic maca per daily serving, alongside 5 mg of black pepper.
The formula is designed as a simple daily way to incorporate maca into a women's wellness routine, with support for natural energy, stamina, vitality and a healthy libido.
How Long Has Maca Been Studied For?
Clinical maca studies commonly use daily supplementation over several weeks or months rather than occasional use.
In studies involving menopausal women, doses around 2 grams per day of particular maca preparations have frequently been used. Other human studies have used different doses and preparations.
This matters because maca products are not all identical. Root color, processing method, extraction and dose can all differ between supplements, so results from one clinical preparation cannot automatically be applied to every maca product.
The Bottom Line
Maca has a long history of traditional use and a growing body of modern research examining energy, mood, sexual wellbeing and women's quality of life.
Research specifically during perimenopause is promising but still limited, so maca is best viewed as a supportive botanical rather than a treatment for perimenopause itself.
For women looking for non-hormone-containing support for everyday energy, stamina and vitality, maca can be a useful addition to a broader wellness routine.
References
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Lee MS, Shin BC, Yang EJ, Lim HJ, Ernst E. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) for treatment of menopausal symptoms: A systematic review. Maturitas. 2011;70(3):227–233.
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Meissner HO, Reich-Bilinska H, Mscisz A, Kedzia B. Therapeutic Effects of Pre-Gelatinized Maca used as a Non-Hormonal Alternative to HRT in Perimenopausal Women – Clinical Pilot Study. International Journal of Biomedical Science. 2006;2(2):143–159.
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Meissner HO, et al. Physiological and Symptomatic Responses of Early-Postmenopausal Women to Standardized Doses of Maca in a Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Multi-Centre Clinical Study. International Journal of Biomedical Science. 2006;2(4):360–374.
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Gonzales GF, et al. Acceptability, Safety, and Efficacy of Oral Administration of Extracts of Black or Red Maca in Adult Human Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Pharmaceuticals. 2016;9(3):49.
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Meissner HO, et al. A systematic review of the versatile effects of the Peruvian Maca Root on sexual dysfunction, menopausal symptoms and related conditions. Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(4):100326.
