Does Maca Help With Hot Flashes? What the Research Actually Shows

Few things interrupt a day, or a night, like a sudden wave of heat. Because maca is so often mentioned alongside menopause, many women wonder whether it could take the edge off hot flashes. Here is a plain look at what the published research does and does not say, and what is worth doing while the science catches up.

What a hot flash is

According to the Office on Women’s Health, a hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat, often with flushing and sweating. Night sweats are hot flashes that happen during sleep. They can begin in perimenopause, and they vary from mild to severe. For a deeper look at why they happen, see our guide to hot flashes and how to cool things down, or browse our hormones and menopause hub.

What maca is

Maca (Lepidium meyenii) is a root vegetable from the high Andes of Peru, in the same plant family as cabbage and mustard. It has long been eaten as food and is sold today as a powder or in capsules. We cover the basics in our maca root explainer.

What the research says

The best-known human evidence comes from small trials, summarized in a 2011 systematic review in Maturitas. The reviewers searched 17 databases through June 2011 and found only four randomized, placebo-controlled trials of maca for menopausal symptoms. All four reported favorable effects on symptom scales, but the authors concluded that the evidence was limited: there were few rigorous trials, the total sample size was small, and study quality was modest. They also stated that safety has not been established and that larger studies are needed.

One of those trials, published in 2006 in the International Journal of Biomedical Science, is worth a closer look. It was double-blind and placebo-controlled, run at five clinics in Poland, and enrolled early-postmenopausal women aged 49 to 58. Participants took 2 grams a day of a pre-gelatinized maca product or an identical-looking placebo. On the Kupperman Index, the hot flush score in the first trial was lower with maca than with placebo (about 0.65 versus 1.76), and night sweating scores on the Greene scale were also lower. The article reports no clinical adverse events.

There are good reasons to read those results carefully:

• Small and short. The two trials together enrolled 168 women and ran three to four months, with a number of dropouts.
• Supplier involvement. The study was partly supported by a supplier of the maca product tested.
• Specific product. Results come from one pre-gelatinized preparation at 2 grams a day, which is not the same as every maca capsule or powder.
• Inconsistencies. The published completer numbers differ between the abstract and the results section.

NCCIH’s menopause page does not mention maca by name. It does note that dietary supplements may have side effects or interact with drugs, and that little is known about their long-term safety.

What is known to be worth trying

The Office on Women’s Health notes that for moderate to severe hot flashes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved hormone therapy and nonhormone medicines, each with its own benefits and risks. Your clinician can help you weigh them against your health history. NCCIH also points out that some mind-body approaches, such as yoga and meditation-based programs, have shown promising early results, though research is still developing.

Everyday habits can also make nights more comfortable, and better sleep tends to make the days easier. Our article on waking at 3 a.m. in midlife has practical ideas.

Who should be cautious with maca

Because safety has not been established in large studies, talk with your healthcare provider before taking maca if you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding, have a hormone-sensitive condition or thyroid problem, or take prescription medicines. NCCIH advises telling all your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use.

When to see a doctor

Make an appointment if hot flashes or night sweats disrupt your sleep or daily life, if they start unusually early, or if you have heavy or unexpected bleeding, chest pain, a racing heart or new symptoms you are unsure about. Night sweats can also have causes unrelated to menopause, so it is worth having them checked. Bring your symptoms, health history and the supplements you take, including any hormone therapy you have used.

Where Quixao Maca Root fits

Quixao Maca Root contains 1000mg of Peruvian black maca per serving in a gelatin capsule, so it is not suitable for vegans. It is a dietary supplement for women who want to include maca in their routine. It is not a treatment for hot flashes, menopause symptoms or any condition, and it is not a substitute for medical care. Our guide to maca and weight covers another common question.

The bottom line

Maca has been tested in a handful of small trials, and some reported better symptom scores, but reviewers describe the evidence as limited and the safety as not established. Major health agencies have not clearly shown that herbs or supplements relieve menopause symptoms. If hot flashes are affecting your life, start with a conversation with your clinician, and tell them about any supplement you use.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article is for general education and is not a substitute for advice from your healthcare provider.

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