What is Maca?
Maca root powder might be the latest superfood to fill up your Facebook feed, but its benefits are not exactly news. This ancient natural remedy happens to be very well researched and that research has revealed its hormone-balancing, hormonal symptom-soothing properties. Maca root powder is an adaptogen, which means it supports your whole endocrine system to produce the right amounts of hormones you need. Maca can help your body “adapt” to stressful life situations that might otherwise deplete your body’s hormone production and cause symptoms.
Maca root powder is a wonderful resource to have at hand, especially at certain critical times in your life when its properties can be the most beneficial. That said, maca is not for everyone and anyone, all of the time. Digging deeper and knowing more about this powerful supplement will help you to get the most out of it.
Does Maca “cure” hormone imbalance?
Although you may have heard some say that maca can solve all your period problems and regulate your cycles, I don’t recommend seeing it as a miracle cure for all hormonal ills. I have never seen one product resolve a woman’s PMS, PCOS, cramps, acne, irrregular cycles or infertility issues on its own. Just adding in a supplement or one food, however “super,” unfortunately rarely works to help a woman overcome hormonal symptoms.
When should a woman use Maca?
In my experience there are 3 times in a woman’s life when she could really benefit from using maca root powder on a regular basis as part of a wider hormonally-supportive diet. Those times are:
- After you hit 35, enter perimenopause and then post-menopause
- After you come off the birth control pill
- After you have a baby (and have stopped breastfeeding)
At these times maca root powder could help your body in producing more hormones at a time when your own endocrine system may be flagging due to the effects of perimenopause, hormone suppression from the Pill, or lack of sleep after baby. Essentially, as an adaptogen, maca root powder helps your endocrine system do its job in sub-optimal conditions. These three life stages can be a stress on your endocrine system.
I believe we need to be wary of making anything out to be a miracle cure (whether that be maca, vitex, or dong qaui…). Maca has some wonderful benefits, but it is not a cure-all. However, using it alongside food can make maca a very effective supplement.
After you reach 35, after using the Pill, after baby, you may be experiencing several hormone-based issues that maca can treat, including:
- Low energy levels
- Low sex drive
- Brain fog and poor focus or concentration
- Mood swings and depression
- PMS symptoms
When you shouldn’t take Maca
Maca root powder is a great tool for these critical moments when our bodies need the additional support to get back on track. However, when you’re between 15 and 35, eating a hormonally-supportive diet should be enough to balance your hormones, resolve your period problems and regulate your cycles. You should NOT take maca if you have an allergy to iodine, Hashimoto’s, or experience any kind of thyroid nodules or growths as it contains significant amounts of iodine.
What’s the best kind of Maca to take?
The most important thing to know about maca root powder is that there are different kinds you can buy. As maca becomes more popular more brands will pop up, but you need to keep in mind that it’s the glucosinolate component that you need to experience maca’s hormone-balancing properties. Look for brands containing over 1% of glucosinolate as a standardized extract.
My favorite way to take maca is in a smoothie. Just a spoonful is enough at first, but you can build up to more if you feel it’s working well for you.
There are red, black and yellow maca powders – yellow is the most commonly available and usually the least expensive – it packs a similar nutritional punch of minerals, fatty acids, amino acids and micronutrients as the other two kinds. However, red and black maca powders have some specific researched properties that make them stand out – red has shown to be most helpful for treating acne, infertility and low energy, for example. Raw maca powder is better than gelatinized or cooked because the enzymes and nutrients remain at their peak levels in the raw state (although, if you have a sensitive digestive system cooked may be easier on your stomach). I personally prefer the maca powders that blend of all 3 kinds of maca that allow you to get their individual and combined benefits.
Always remember, that once you have the right information about how your body really works, you can start making health choices that finally start to work for you! You can do this – the science of your body is on your side!
to your FLO,
Alisa
Good things come in threes:
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First, have you tried maca?
Second, are you coming off the birth control pill?
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Hi! Please note that maca can be very bad for endometriosis! I took it for several months and had a significant and dramatic increase in my endometriosis symptoms. It took me months to rebalance my system after I stopped taking maca.
I’m sure it works well for many women, but I just want to spread the word about maca and endometriosis so others don’t have the same problem I did.
Liz, thank you so much for sharing your experience with maca while having endometriosis! I have been considering starting maca for some time now. I was recently diagnosed with an endometrioma cyst. Now I know for sure I don’t want to be starting the maca as I don’t want to worsen symptoms in case maca could have a negative effect in my case!
Thank you for sharing. I’m having a bad flare up /fatigue with my endometriosis during ovulation and had just added Maca to my smoothie yesterday. Wish I hadn’t :-/
So far I have had a different experience with maca and endometriosis. I started it day 1 of my cycle and this has been the lightest and least painful period I have ever had. I plan to take up to ovulation and stop. Everyone reacts differently. So I would not say that it is bad for endometreosis because it can help balance out estrogen dominance in some women. Also an important thing that I found in research is that maca should not be taken with different medications or birth controls or creams. Only alone. So Definitely an important note that everyone reacts differently and to start low and build if you need.
I took it for a whole month after my last period was horrible, I too have endometriosis and now I’m on my period a month later and omg I cannot believe it’s normal and I haven’t had to take any pain killers, I’m on day 3 of my period now
I have endometriosis too, and taking Maca Root has helped me soooo much. I basically feel cured, my periods are wayyy lighter, WAYYY less painful (no dry heaving, no fatigue, wayy less intense cramps). Some months I don’t experience cramps at all, which is crazy coming from when I used to be stuck in bed for days at a time due to the intensity of them. It may not work for everyone, but I definitely recommend giving it a try, because it’s 100% natural, a superfood, a great natural hormone balancer.
Did it make your period to come early
I lost my period for 1 year. I have never taken any birth control. I think i lost it becuase of alot of working out.
I try to go as natural as possible, supplementing with evening primrose oil, good vitamins and maca poweder. After taking maca powder in 6 days i started to feel sore boobs and then after 1 week i got my period after 1 year!! it was a heavy painfull one, i didnt know it was the maca, when i finished the packet which took me 1 month i didnt take it again hoping to get my period back the following month but i didnt…7 weeks later i bought another packet of maca and now taking it everyday in my oats. Again after 5 days i have sore boobs so i guess i will have my period again very soon!!
Thanks for the info will stop taking the maca powder in my smoothies as I have endometriosis and I am trying to lose weight.
I just started Maca a couple of weeks ago per recommendation of my naturopath and within 2 weeks I stopped sleeping and became very anxious. I am also still nursing my two year old. I’m upset that I didn’t know it could have such terrible side effects and am hoping the insomnia goes away soon. It’s been a week since stopping the Maca and I’m still having some trouble with going to sleep at night
Hi Lindsey,
Yes, it can be very stimulating. I am surprised you were told to take it while you are nursing. Try taking cold Tart Cherry juice (4 oz – keep in the fridge and drink it cold) about 1 hours before bed every night. Be consistent. This will support melatonin production in a non habit forming way!
Alisa
Thank, Alisa, for this great and informative post!
Maca was the topic of the day for me, needed to find out more information today and exactly at this moment I got an e-mail from you 🙂
Thank you, great info! I always read your post and find those to be very informative!
I have lost my periods for seven months now and they have never been constant am worried I need to get a baby but am failing can maca really help me and if yes can I get it in Uganda 🇺🇬
Hi there,
You want to focus on eating healthy, balanced meals” lots of greens, good protein and healthy carbs. Stay away from caffeine. Get plenty of sleep and healthy exercise. If you are able to, get some blood work to test for deficiencies of iron, Vit D, Vit B, and also a hormone panel to see if your hormones are off.
XO, Christina – FLO Coach
Dear Flo Coach. I have been bleeding for 10 weeks I started cycle syncing 10 months ago and all went well up until 10 weeks ago. I have one very small fibroid… I’m in perimenopause. How do I know when to eat what to continue syncing will all this bleeding?
I have tried maca with coffee and I became very dizzy. Certain substances that have a lot of caffeine do that to me so I stopped using it. Years ago when I had a cat scan they told me I was allergic to Iodine so maybe thats why it made me dizzy. Thanks for this article it was very informative.
Yeah, I am researching maca because I am dizzy. Thanks for the post.
I have lost my periods for seven months now and they have never been constant am worried I need to get a baby but am failing can maca really help me and if yes can I get it in Uganda 🇺🇬
Hi, it is available at Angie organics for Ugx 40,000
This is wonderful information but I was told that I am postmenopausal and I don’t know if maca can help me or I can just give up as I need a baby.
I have been reading this article all emails and I find really interesting but not getting the answers I am looking for.
Thank you
I once troubled with my thyroid when I was a teenage use to get treatment for years until am off it and going good but want to know if I can use maca powder at the age of 50
Hi Sandra,
If the thyroid issues were of an autoimmune nature, then you may want to be cautious. If not, you can try a 1/4 teaspoon of the powder first and see how it feels!
Hi, I started perimenopause at the age of 40, now at 49 I am still in this phase. I took a small amount of maca last fall for the energy and libido boosting claims. However the only thing it increased was the intensity and frequency of my periods. The color was brighter red, heaver and now I’m having my period every three weeks. When this started I quit taking the maca and the brightness and heaviness has slowed but not the frequency.
Hi Bren,
Work on adrenals if you are feeling fatigued, adrenals can also influence thyroid function. The shorter cycles could be a natural perimenopausal progression, but it can also be thyroid related.
Alisa
Wow! Great post. Thank you for sharing. I bough Maca last summer and used it in smoothies but had no idea about the iodine content until now. I’m allergic to shellfish so have always stayed away from iodine, at least I thought. Thanks again
I am 78 years old, my alternative Dr. has me on bio-identical hormones, however, years ago I had cancer, my sister died of ovarian cancer, father died of stomach cancer. I am wondering if Maca would be better for me than the bio-identicals. I certainly enjoy all your articles, at last we have information from a woman for women
I’m trying to wean my 16-month-old (only nursing at night now) so, can I take maca safely? I have congested skin (not really cystic acne) and just overall inflammation. I’ve been cycle syncing and eating for the different phases of my cycle for almost 3 years (probably why I ended up pregnant while on HTC and told I would have a hard time conceiving :)) I was having a normal 27-28 day cycle since my baby until this month! Only 24 days and PMS symptoms-wth??? And I feel like its the never ending period!
I would wait until you are done nursing to take maca. Doing a liver cleanse post weening may be very helpful!
Alisa
Hi, is it ok to take Maca through your whole cycle if you’re trying for a baby? Should you stop after ovulation? Thanks
Hi I used Maca throughout my cycle as I was low in progesterone. It helped baby stick I think. Three healthy boys later I’m still taking it.
Did Maca ever delay your period. Am so stressed. Am late and home and blood tests negative. I don’t know what is going on. I’ve been taking Maca for a month now. And never had this problem before. Please help.
Hi
I am experiencing the same symptoms, no period and negative test. I am currently trying for a baby.
What happened?
Me as well. I used to have regular cycles then boom it stopped once I started taking this. I’m 13 days late! How do I ovulate with no cycle?
I am currently having this same issue started maca almost a month ago and my cycles are usually 32 days I’m on day 39 slight cramping like I’m getting my period but nothing to show for! What was your outcome?
Hello! Same happened to me. Regular 28 circle. After maca i ovulated on day 21 and period came on day 34. Any updates on yours?
Hi, do you know of anything in particular that can help my egg quality improve at all? Thanks.
Glutathione!
Alisa
Hi,
I have been told maca powder can help with my endometriosis, but I also have hypothyroidism. I’ve been trying to conceive with no success for the last 4 years. What should I try instead? Thanks!
Hi Kelly, We have an online program, the Monthly Flo, which is aimed at balancing hormones and supporting optimal fertility. I would recommend this for you! Taking maca is not always a good idea, especially if you have endometriosis are any other hormonal issue – herbs can work well depending on your situation, but they can also work against you – it is critical to understand what is happening and why, in your body.
XO, Christina – FLO Coach
I have been taking maca for about 7 years. I am 44 and have had peri menopausal symtpoms for about 10 years. Seems to have slowed down the progression.
I have Hashimoto’s, why can’t I use Meca?
Hi Mercedes,
You shouldn’t have iodine!
Alisa
I’ve been taking maca for a month now and just received my first period. It has been less painful, light bleeding, less acne, and definitely less mood swings. Maca has also helped me to keep an appetite and to have lots of energy. I’m on the second day of my period and it’s very faint compared to having to change my pants constantly from past cycles. Very thankful for all it does for me!
I am 48 should be using Maca or something else for these similar symptoms. Please advise
Thank you for clearing up the confusion on Maca. I’ve seen a lot of controversy around its use, especially in its raw form because I’ve heard it’s a goitrogen, although you mentioned it has high iodine. What are your thoughts on that for people with thyroid issues?
Can you please clarify the warning about iodine? One of the root causes people develop hypothyroid is sue to lack of iodine and it’s what needs to be supplemented in order to try to kick start the function again.
Iodine can increase the risk of auto-immune thyroid issues!
Alisa
I have found that when taking Maca I would get very aggressive.
My acupuncturist recently recommended that I try using maca. All of my hormones, progesterone, estradiol and testosterone are high. My detox pathways are not functioning optimally. Will maca help my body regulate these hormones better or help my body detox out the excess? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
What do you think about using Ashwagandha, Ho Shou Wu, or Reishi instead of Maca for someone younger than 35?
I recently began using Maca to restore hormonal balance and I love it. I’m 43 years old and I only wish I had begun using it sooner. I was told it was considered a supplement that men should use and therefore never really looked into it until I was diagnosed with adrenal fatigue and my herbalist recommended it.
Which colour maca did u take..which brand ..i haave hormonal imbalance too..plz help
Great article! I have a bag of maca powder in my cabinet. I haven’t been taking it but have considered it since my hormones are wacky since I had a baby 7 weeks ago. I’m breastfeeding though, why shouldn’t I take it?
Hi Hannah, It is not well tested for nursing mothers, so I do not recommend it. Please listen to your your body. And remember, as I write in the post, Maca will not balance hormones! This is the job of food and lifestyle.
Alisa
I don’t know why you say this and it definitely isn’t true. Herbs CAN balance hormones. I’ve seen it many times and experienced it. Not with Maca but other herbal formulas. Of course a base line of good nutrition and lifestyle needs to be in place, but that isn’t always enough. The reality is that herbs are food. There are some that are more like pharmaceuticals as they contain strong alcaloids that must but used with care because of toxicity risk but most of the herbs in widespread use fall into the nutritive or tonic category. If I remember correctly from study years ago Maca root is considered food like many other root vegetables in South America. I don’t think they treat it like a pharmaceutical. It’s just food that many people eat the way we do sweet potatoes or carrots, though it is known for helping with overall stamina and health in tough conditions.
Hi Lisa
I love your answer to this. Like you and I, Maca Root is food, not a Pharmaceutical Medicene. Even Herbs works for our bodies. I am taking Maca Root Tabs and this really helps me calm down and stop overthinking about wanting to get pregnant. It will happen if I take control of the way my brains think to reduce stress.
Just wondering why is it not safe to take while breastfeeding? Is there an alternative?
Hi very interested in taking maca. However how do I find out if I have a sensitivity to iodine? I’ve used lugols on my skin before & it usually disappears within a few hrs. I was told this was a sign I could be iodine deficient. Can you advise please!
hi , I suffer with aniexty and depression and also with post menstrual depression, I’ve read maca can help is this right ?
Hi Bethan,
I would definitely want to get to the root of the cause to deal with these symptoms. Maca could be helpful here, but please also look to your nutrition, making sure that blood sugar is balanced and that you are supporting your adrenals!
Alisa
I’m a huge fan of maca and always recommend it to our customers who are struggling with hormonal acne. It was literally the only thing that helped my own hormonal acne. Having said that, it’s definitely important to try it in a very small amount at first to see how your body reacts, and work your way up to a higher dose if it is feeling compatible.
I’m planning on coming off the pill but im scared to because last time i did my acne flared up really bad. How long after the pill should I wait start maca or should i start it straight away?
Hi Safina,
I would first want to start by getting on the protocol to create a healthy foundation for your hormones. You can also start by reading the book (WomanCode) and implementing the steps from there. Once you have those in place you can come off the pill. You wouldn’t want to start maca until you are off of the hormones.
XO, Alisa
Hi alisa, I’m 27 yrs and stopped taking the pill about 4 months ago, which is been on for about 7 years. Would you still recommend taking Macs now or do you think it’s past that point now? And would you recommend taking it continuously or just until I see PMS symptoms change (w diet lifestyle changes) . Thank you!
I have pcos and endometriosis. My testosterone gets up to 1.8 (normal in womes is 0,6). I read that it contains both iodine and zinc. They boost testosterone. Thank you for stopping me from making abig mistake.
Please make a note that raw maca has more goitrogens (the stuff in cruciferous vegetables that inhibit thyroid function) and so for people with hypothyroid it may be safer to use a non-raw form. In fact the way it is eaten traditionally is usually cooked.
Hi I was wondering where you buy your Maca Powder. How much should you take? I am 41 and trying to have a baby, but my egg quality is bad.
HI
I’m 52 and have an increase in estrogen and not too much progesterone. I do not want to take hormonal pills to balance this out so will I benefit from taking maca?
Interesting but im wondering if i can take maca to help dissolve uterine fibroids?
I”m 38 years old and have recently diagnosed with endometriosis. I have been taking maca for the past 3 months should i stop or continue talking it, does it increase the estrogen?
Hi Vani,
I would consult with an endocrine expert and/or herbalist to find the most appropriate supplements for your condition.
Alisa
Hello Alisa,
I’m 36 years old and breastfeeding my 19 month old but I still haven’t got my periods back. I’d like them back so that I can conceive again. Could maca help?
I don’t recommend supplement with Maca while breastfeeding.
Alisa
The ‘information’ here regarding Maca in its raw vs. gelatinized form is damaging. In clinical trials done on mice, raw Maca actually had detrimental effects such as weight gain, lethargy, lowered libido, insomnia, hormone-related tumors, etc. The indigenous peoples who have consumed Maca for centuries could not digest it in its raw form so it was heated before use. In the mouse trials the gelatinized version was the only version to yield health benefits. Raw should not be consumed and sellers of it are using ‘raw’ as a buzzword to drive sales. I have been in the supplements industry for over a decade and encourage other readers to be wary of the misinformation in this blog post.
Hi I bought today Maca by mistake I didn’t realize what it is but then I read about it good/bad I m just wondering I have uterus removed I was wondering if still good for me I should take or not thanks
Hi! I was wondering if Maca could be helpful to reduce heart palpitations just before the period starts. Thanks in advance.
Hi,
I take birth controls do you think I can still have Maca?
Did you ever get an answer to your question? I have the same question.
I would like to know the same but for mirena iud
I would not take them together.
Alisa
Hi, I’ve been taking Vitex and my NP suggested I take maca along with it.
Is it safe or necessary to take both?
Thanks,
Julie
Hi Julie, done the same thing. I’m taking vitex and maca at the same time. Does anyone can answer us if it’s safe? is maca can lower the progesterone?
Thanks
Please can maca help shrink fibroid. Thanks for the post
No, you do not want to use maca for fibroids. There is no single supplement that will do this – you want to look into diet, lifestyle and supporting the liver
Alisa
Are you a doctor?
My prolactin is high,I have breast discharge can maca help?
I too have endometriosis and after a horrible horrible period last month I started taking 2 tsp if maca every day and now I got my period again and it’s the first time in years that I feel normal, I believe maca can work differently for different people, I honestly feel like it’s a miracle, I cannot remember the last time my period felt normal, and in my opinion if you have endometriosis and it is as painful as mine you dont loose anything by trying it, I take raw organic maca powder
Hi,
I recently started putting maca in my smoothies but still wanted to read up on it. I dont have any medical issues but after reading all these posts is this something maybe I shouldnt take at all? I dont want it to cause a thyroid issue or endometriosis….etc
Hi !
Thank you for the article . I am seeking out MACA to help with my emotions . I have moments when the simplest things can make me extremely emotional . I’m hoping the MACA helps “calm “ me down and I don’t have the emotional bouts. I am not aware of any thyroid issues
I had been taking maca in my oatmeal in the mornings for the last month, but didn’t have breakfast the last two days and now have what feels like period pain (it can’t be, I had a hysterectomy 4 years ago due to endo) and I’m wondering if it’s a rebound effect from not having taken it for a couple of days. Now trying to decide if I should go back on it or leave well enough alone
I started taking Maca powder in my smoothie about 2 weeks ago and spotted a couple days after and now started my period a week and a half early. Is that normal when first starting to take? I also had a small cyst on one of my ovaries at the last check up and hear mixed reviews whether to take it or not. Any advice?
Hi Jaime, I would not take maca if you have a cyst.
Alisa
Now I understand why it hurts so much after taking maca powder. I have endometriosis on my left ovary and I didn’t know that I shouldn’t take maca.
CAN YOU BE ON BIRTH CONTROL PILLS AND TAKE MACA?!
No, it is not recommended.
Alisa
Raw maca is extremely bad for your digestion, and stops your ability to digest regular foods. Side effects are extrememly painful stomach cramps, sweating, fatigue, nausea and vomiting.
Gelatinized maca is simply heated, no actual gelatin involved, which breaks down the starches that our stomachs CANNOT DIGEST. Please, eat the gelatinized version and save yourself from crippling pain. Some things are not meant to be eaten raw. Gelatinized maca is still vegan, and its great for you.
I am taking Maca to try to balance my hormones. My cycles have been around 40-50 days long for about 6 months now. I only started taking Maca powder 2 weeks ago and my nipples have been SO SORE. I started my last period 3 weeks ago, and my partner and I always use condoms so I don’t think pregnancy is the reason for it. Has anyone else had nipple pain while taking Maca?
Hi Amber, Maca effects the hormones so it could be responsible for this shift. Please do take a pregnancy test just in case!
Alisa
Also heard that maca may increase the boob, hip and butt size so check for any breast enlargement.
I’ve had terrible breast pain since maca and cramps for the first time in my life. Stopped it and hoping my body regulates itself.
Is Maca okay with ovarian cyst?
No, I would not use maca if you have cysts.
Alisa
I have serval cyst on ovaries and I use to deal with horrible cramps and mood swings. I took maca only two days and then I spotted now for nine days and the spotting won’t stop completely. I was having a cycle twice a month. Should I stop taking maca or wait it out because it maybe balancing my hormone. I’m
47 years old
Hi Elisha,
You should not take maca if you have cysts. Focus on your diet (see WomanCode book for more info) and liver support.
Alisa
I have adenomyoma (focal) ang low amh can i use organic maca root gelatine capsules?
Hi , very informational and direct article. I quit birth control and started taking maca , I feel great. Is it okay to take maca along with other phytoestrogens ? I’m currently taking it along with 5 grams of another phytoestrogen supplement daily. Haven’t noticed any negative effects at all but I just wanted to be safe.
Thanks !
Hi Michelle,
In order to answer this I would need to know a lot more about you. If you have questions or concerns please see someone who can advise you on what supplements would be appropriate (and for how long) for you.
Alisa
According to the RainTree tropical plant database, a typical 10 g serving of dried maca contains around 52 mcg of iodine. It’s estimated that you would need to take 30 grams (15 teaspoons) or more of maca powder daily — a very high dose — to get even 150 mcg — the recommended daily allowance — of iodine.
Hi! I am wanting to use maca to help in regulating my hormones (alongside diet). Is this something i should take every day, or do i need to take it only certain days during my cycle? Thanks!
Does this tablet help reduce breast size ?
I guess it increases
Dear Alisa, thank you for this explanation. I m 36, diagnosed with endo. I just took the maca supplement just for a day, and a day to my menses, guess what, it was the most painless and lightest menses I’ve ever had in my four years of endometriosis experience.. I’m super excited about it. Pls the root, if you could assist me, I would be very grateful.
interesting keep us posted on your long term affects…
What do i have to lose!?!
Im seeing different responses for endo and fibroids.. Which i have both of. My pain cant get any worse and my periods are already very long and extremely heavy… My doctor wants to do multiple surgeries and I don’t.. Hoping Maca will help.. So im going to give it a try
Hi Cece,
Please consult with an herbalist or doctor before trying this – Maca may not be good for endo and fibroids, as it can increase estrogen-like activity and this is not something you want with either of this issues.
Alisa
I started taking one capsule a day few days ago and I feel good. More energergized and calm. I stopped taking birth control a couple of months ago after 8 years and my libido is been low before I stopped them. My concern is what is said about the thyroid. I had a nodule removed from my parathyroid. They found it because my calcium was high and it created a nodule. The nodule was removed 7 years ago and all my test have been fine. Do you think will it be bad to take Maca even just one capsule in my case?
I am interested in using maca powder in my smoothies, but I have endometriosis. I’m confused about the information I’m reading, there seems to be so much conflicting information.
Is it safe for women with endo to use?
Alisa, can you please advise on this?
Thanks!
Hi Ashlee, I would not recommend maca if you have endometriosis.
Alisa
I started taking maca and perhaps it was a coincidence but my periods starting coming too close together (every 2-3 weeks). I’ve stopped it and will report back to see if there is improvement.
Did your periods ever regulate ? Mine are coming too close together now after stopping maca.
Hi,
I have always had bad PMS and heavey periods. I’m trying the progestrone only pill but was spotting alot so `i thought I would try Maca. Now experience reallllly heavy and painful bleeding. Do you think it is caused by the Maca?
U mentioned no maca if having cysts but I read it is great for someone with PCOD? Would u please explain?
Hey please I read and seen that maca root can help with increase in boob size. I lost a couple of weight on my boobs through exercise and want to gain some natural fullness to my boobs! So is this true? And it won’t have side effects to my period flow which is normal.
Maca was suggested as part of a fitness plan I started. However, after about a week of taking maca my period started a week early has now lasted a week and half and still going… seeing as I don’t need it for other reasons it’s not worth it for me and I am quitting.
Hi Hannah, Maca does not work for everyone! Perhaps try something gentler like Ashwaganda to support your adrenals and healthy energy.
XO, Christina – FLO Coach
Hi, we were trying to conceive, while my period was regular on 28 days, so I was reading about how maca can help fertility, so I decided to try it. I was taking a tea spoon of maca every day for a week, I stopped since it did’t sit well on my stomach, I would get a stomach ache in the evenings, as if I was terribly hungry, but I wasn’t since I ate dinner. After I stopped, the stomach problems stopped. But this is were my troubles started, I got heavy bleeding next week after stopping and it was coinciding with my ovulation period when we were trying to conceive. My next period came a week after that, it was dark and heavy, the sore boobs for me were usually a week before period, now they are non stop, and my period is lasting for 20 days already. I am living in this hell a third month already. Dunno what to do about it, or how to stop it. Went to the gyn doctor twice she says it’s hormonal dis-balance, she is offering hormone pills, but also since we were trying to get pregnant, she is postponing it, a month more, to see what will happen next. Doctor was very unpleasantly surprised when I told her about maca drinking. How will I get pregnant now, when I don’t even know when I am ovulating??? Can you please help me, someone? By sharing experiences, by having some expertise on this matter, I need some answers. Thank you.
Didn’t know either that you shouldn’t take maca when having cyst, I do have a cyst as well. I do not understand how this info is not available on each box of maca. Since I see now that I am not lone example, maca is doing harm for a lot of women. Maca is not simply a supplement but serious medicine which is sold over the counter without proper documentation. I feel so let down, right now. My chances of conception are ruined, and I am in my 40s now. It would be so nice if you could give me some real answers.
Hi Marija,
Maca is definitely nor appropriate for everyone. First, give your body a little time to rebalance. Support your liver by eating lots of greens, and make sure you have healthy fats in your diet. Take a look at this blog post and see if this feels like it would be good for you: https://www.floliving.com/detox/
I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of Alisa’s first book, WomanCode, to get more insight on things you can do to improve hormone function and support fertility.
XO, Christina – FLO Coach
Hi Alisa, I was wondering if its better to take maca before my period or after my period, when I have endometriosis.
Thank you very much Alisa! Great post!!!