10/19/2018 A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L.
oot (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.…
PubMed
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CNS Neurosci Ther. 2008 Fall;14(3):182-91. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00052.x.
A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L.
meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction.
Dording CM1, Fisher L, Papakostas G, Farabaugh A, Sonawalla S, Fava M, Mischoulon D.
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Abstract
We sought to determine whether maca, a Peruvian plant, is effective for selective-serotonin reuptake
inhibitor (SSRI)-induced sexual dysfunction. We conducted a double-blind, randomized, parallel
group dose-finding pilot study comparing a low-dose (1.5 g/day) to a high-dose (3.0 g/day) maca
regimen in 20 remitted depressed outpatients (mean age 36+/-13 years; 17 women) with SSRI-
induced sexual dysfunction. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the Massachusetts
General Hospital Sexual Function Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ) were used to measure sexual
dysfunction. Ten subjects completed the study, and 16 subjects (9 on 3.0 g/day; 7 on 1.5 g/day) were
eligible for intent-to-treat (ITT) analyses on the basis of having had at least one postbaseline visit.
ITT subjects on 3.0 g/day maca had a significant improvement in ASEX (from 22.8+/-3.8 to
16.9+/-6.2; z=-2.20, P=0.028) and in MGH-SFQ scores (from 24.1+/-1.9 to 17.0+/-5.7; z=-2.39,
P=0.017), but subjects on 1.5 g/day maca did not. Libido improved significantly (P<0.05) for the ITT
and completer groups based on ASEX item #1, but not by dosing groups. Maca was well tolerated.
Maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction, and there may be a dose-related effect.
Maca may also have a beneficial effect on libido.
PMID: 18801111 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00052.x
[Indexed for MEDLINE]
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