Open AccessA Double‐Blind, Randomized, Pilot Dose‐Finding Study of Maca Root (L. Meyenii) for the Management of SSRI‐Induced Sexual Dysfunction
Author(s) -
Dording Christina M.,
Fisher Lauren,
Papakostas George,
Farabaugh Amy,
Sonawalla Shamsah,
Fava Maurizio,
Mischoulon David
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
cns neuroscience and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1755-5949
pISSN - 1755-5930
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2008.00052.x
Subject(s) - sexual dysfunction , libido , sexual function , randomized controlled trial , medicine , psychology , gynecology
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.