Herbal supplement use among reproductive-aged women in an academic infertility practice

Friedman, Julie; Sheeder, Jeanelle; Lazorwitz, Aaron; Polotsky, Alex J.

doi:10.1016/j.xfre.2022.12.001

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…As a result of these properties, preclinical (animal) and clinical studies combined, maca has become known for its therapeutic effect in myriad conditions, including fertility and reproductive health in men and women [ 17 , 31 , 59 ], prostate health [ 44 , 45 , 51 ], sexual performance [ 17 , 143 ] and sexual desire [ 50 ], cognitive impairment and memory loss [ 39 , 144 ], menopause [ 145 , 146 ], low chronic mountain sickness scores [ 97 ], skin health [ 147 ], anemia [ 145 ], cancer [ 17 , 95 , 140 , 148 ], vitality [ 17 ], gastrointestinal motility [ 149 ], and osteoporosis [ 17 , 28 ] ( Table 1 ). Although not confirmed, it has been suggested that the effects on mood and cognition may be due to the possibility of maca metabolites crossing the blood–brain barrier [ 39 ].…”

Section: Functions Of Macamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some women have explored maca as another option or even in conjunction with in vitro fertilization (IVF). In a survey of 95 women seeking infertility treatment, maca was on the list of herbal supplements commonly used [ 59 ]. Of those participants taking maca, 71.4% took it for fertility, and 28.6% used it for general health and wellness [ 59 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

Minich,

Ross,

Frame

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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Maca (Lepidium meyenii, Lepidium peruvianum) is part of the Brassicaceae family and grows at high altitudes in the Peruvian Andes mountain range (3500–5000 m). Historically, it has been used as a nutrient-dense food and for its medicinal properties, primarily in enhancing energy and fertility. Scientific research has validated these traditional uses and other clinical applications by elucidating maca’s mechanisms of action, nutrition, and phytochemical content. However, research over the last twenty years has identified up to seventeen different colors (phenotypes) of maca. The color, hypocotyl size, growing location, cultivation, and post-harvest processing methods can have a significant effect on the nutrition content, phytochemical profile, and clinical application. Yet, research differentiating the colors of maca and clinical applications remains limited. In this review, research on the nutrition, phytochemicals, and various colors of maca, including black, red, yellow (predominant colors), purple, gray (lesser-known colors), and any combination of colors, including proprietary formulations, will be discussed based on available preclinical and clinical trials. The gaps, deficiencies, and conflicts in the studies will be detailed, along with quality, safety, and efficacy criteria, highlighting the need for future research to specify all these factors of the maca used in publications.

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Section: Functions Of Macamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

Minich,

Ross,

Frame

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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“…However, maca has traditionally been used by the Peruvian people for energy, fertility, and libido [17]. In recent years, its clinical use for women has expanded to support energy, menstrual health, mood, bone health, menopausal symptoms, healthy hormone levels (estradiol, LH, FSH, progesterone, cortisol), and fertility [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. At present, the literature on maca's impact on hormone levels is limited despite its reported mechanism of action through the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.…”

Section: Background and Strength Of Primary Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Concentrated Gelatinized Proprietary Phenotype Formulation of Lepidium peruvianum (maca) Positively Impacts Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea, and Hormone Levels for Fertility Optimization: A Case Report

2024

Gynecol Obstet Open Acc

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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is considered one of the most common endocrine and metabolic issues in premenopausal (fertile/reproductive age) women. Women with PCOS can experience multiple signs and symptoms, including but not limited to unexplained weight gain or the inability to lose weight, obesity, pelvic pain, virilism, hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, insulin resistance, infertility, decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), increased luteinizing hormone (LH), imbalanced LH/FSH ratio, and increased anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH). Multiple root causes of PCOS have been identified, which may present challenges in determining the best clinical care for women. Further, because the diagnostic criterion for PCOS has changed over time, some confusion within the medical community regarding the best therapies for care exists. Additionally, treatment options can vary based on the criterion each patient meets. It is reported that over two-thirds of women with PCOS are seeking alternative care, such as herbal and supplement options. The purpose of this case report is to share the experience of one woman with PCOS using a concentrated gelatinized proprietary phenotype formulation of Lepidium peruvianum (maca), commercially known as MacaHarmony ® , as the primary therapy to address menstrual irregularities, ovulary dysfunction, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea, and imbalanced hormones (altered LH/FSH ratio, functionally elevated estradiol, and elevated AMH). In three months, the patient experienced dramatic improvements, including menstrual regularity, enhanced ovulation (improved cervical mucous and libido, decreased ovulatory pain), and decreased length and severity of dysmenorrhea and PMS symptoms (breast tenderness, mood changes). The patient maintained these positive outcomes for over two years. A two-year comparative analysis of labs showed improved LH/FSH ratio and estradiol levels, providing optimized hormonal balance and thereby enhanced fertility potential. In addition, several cardiometabolic markers (glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) were improved. These improvements may serve as the basis for future research into how specific maca phenotypes or combinations of maca phenotypes, when gelatinized and concentrated, can assist women with PCOS and enhance fertility outcomes.

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Mechanisms of intestinal pharmacokinetic natural product-drug interactions

Oyanna,

Clarke

2024

Drug Metabolism Reviews

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Herbal supplement use among reproductive-aged women in an academic infertility practice

Cited by 4 publications

References 35 publications

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

Not All Maca Is Created Equal: A Review of Colors, Nutrition, Phytochemicals, and Clinical Uses

Concentrated Gelatinized Proprietary Phenotype Formulation of Lepidium peruvianum (maca) Positively Impacts Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea, and Hormone Levels for Fertility Optimization: A Case Report

Mechanisms of intestinal pharmacokinetic natural product-drug interactions

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