Question :
I am planning on ttc within a few months. I have been reading about maca. My question is, well, I don’t know if I will have problems conceiving, but is it okay to take MACA even though I may not have any problems? I read that it caused a few people to have a delayed ovulation and also caused CM to dry up (on a message board). I also read that it enhances FSH levels on an information site. From what I understand, the higher the level, the harder it is to get pregnant. But on the other side of the coin, I read so many good things about it. Do you think it’s best to ttc without MACA first and then if there is no success, at that point to try MACA? I read also on a site that is selling this product, that you should use it for 3 months, then stop using it for a month, alternating it. Thank you for your help and advice!! this is so confusing for me, lol
Comments:
The great thing about Maca is it is a food, similar to turnips. It does not contain any hormones yet it acts on the body as an endocrine balancer. As for the delayed ovulation and dry CM, Maca does not work that way. There were probably other factors that caused those effects. When we start something new we are looking for effects from it, so every little thing that happens ’must’ have been caused by that certain thing we took, which is not always the case. Maca’s actions are gentle (that is why it can be taken long term), so it may take some time for the effects. I would take it for at least 1-3 months before expecting any dramatic results.
It would be fine to take Maca whether or not you are ttc. It enhances your health in many ways. But more importantly is to focus on eating a nutrient-dense fertility diet and taking a food-based prenatal multivitamin.
When taking most herbs for a longer period of time (3 months) It is a good idea to take a short break, BUT if you are using it TTC, then it is best to stay on it until pregnant. Once you are pregnant you don’t need to take it anymore.
You can learn more about maca for fertility here…
Focus on becoming pregnant easily and at the perfect time. What you focus on is what you get 😉
Best Wishes,
Hethir
Hethir Rodriguez is the Founder and President of Natural Fertility Info.com. She has been a Certified Herbalist for over 19 years, holds a Bachelors degree (BS) in Nutrition Sciences and is a Certified Birth Doula. Since founding Natural Fertility Info.com in 2007, Hethir has written and co-authored over 1200+ articles on Fertility; and her research, articles, and guides have been read by over 40,000,000 people. Hethir has dedicated her life to helping provide a source for high quality, research based information and support for those on their journey to becoming parents.
Hello,
I was wondering if maca and vitex can be taken while going through menopause.
Dear Annie,
Maca and Vitex are not contraindicated in menopause; they may offer help with some of the symptoms.
Hello, I am currently on metformin for about 3 months now for pcos, I have a regular cycle, I also have endometriosis and fibroids, (did myomectomy to remove most of endo and a few fibroids). ttc and was wondering if I can add maca with metformin? 31 yrs, also taking primrose oil, dim occasionally, folic acid, b vitamins.
Dear Sandy,
While we value the benefits of Maca for women with PCOS, we have to suggest speaking with your healthcare provider about taking it with a prescription medication. That said, many do support its use with Metformin, but it is best to seek his support first.
Hi! I have been taking maca for a few months but stopped it on the cycle I started taking clomid on days 3-7. On day 14, I had an iui and hcg shot. I was wondering if I can resume taking maca powder again after ovulation/ during the two-week wait. Thanks!
Dear Cristel,
I hope that you are feeling well and hopeful! All my best!
Fertilica Maca is not suggested during the two week wait or into pregnancy. Here however are we feel the Six Things You Should Be Doing During the Two Week Wait.
Hi I have been ttc for years. I have hypothyroidsims and take Synthroid 75mcg. I recently found out that my progesterone levels are low so my doctor put me on pills. I have also added Maca Root to give myself a boost and been taking it for about a month. I chart my cycle and it shows that I ovulate every month but I dont do the OPK. Is it ok to take these medications together? Is there anything else I need to add to achieve pregnancy?
Thanks
Hi Kim,
We don’t recommend taking Maca while taking any hormonal medications, including Synthroid and prescription progesterone. Maca has the ability to act on the hormonal system and because we aren’t sure how Maca may effect how your body utilizes those medications, as there isn’t enough research out there to prove otherwise, it is best not to mix them.
Hi , I am 32 years old and I recently started ttc. I used to have horrible , irregular heavy and long periods for years. Sometimes my periods would consist of large clots only with no actual bleeding it was horrible. For the past few year I had experimented with different herbs and found that dong quai worked the best. My cycles are between 28-35 days with an average of 31 days. I started using ovulation kits to detect my LH surge but for the past few months I have not detected it. I added red clover, maca and vitex with the dong quaina month ago. This month I didn’t even get a ” high” fertility reading. Should I stop taking one of these herbs? Are they a bad combination?
Thank you
Dear Nefertiti,
Fertilica Maca, Vitex, Dong Quai and Red Clover can all be taken together. These herbs each work to help the body achieve hormone balance. Some women experience a shift in their cycle when they first begin using herbs that have the potential to impact hormone balance. This is often just the body balancing itself out and is completely normal. In general it is suggested to stick with a natural fertility program for at least 3 months to see how the body responds.
It may also help to gain understanding about why anovulation occurs. Our guide to Getting Ovulation Back on Track will help you learn more.
I take 2.5mg of bromocriptine for hyperprolactinemia each night. Will taking maca effect this? I’m concerned about the combination. Should I still consider taking maca? I really hate to mess up cycle. When ttc as long as I have EACH cycle is essential and having 1 or 2 cycles mess up can really be frustrating.
Dear Miriam,
Thank you for asking because it will be best to be guided in using an herb, or fertility super food like Maca, with the potential to impact hormonal balance along with a medication that does the same. We can not suggest combining the two, or doing so on your own. If the choice is made to take Maca with your medication, your healthcare provider is best able to monitor you while using them both and adjust doses of either as you need.
I cannot tell you ladies enough good things about Maca! I have been progesterone dominant all my life, and suffered at least 4 confirmed miscarriages and at least one chemical pregnancy. My latest miscarriage back in December- I had only been taking maca two weeks. Fast forward to April, and I am pregnant!
It has increased my cm, libido, not to mention energy levels, eased severe cramping and pms, and even grown a few cup sizes! (Remember, progesterone dominant so I had none).
I am so thankful to have found this site, and maca!
Hi Michelle,
Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your story! Please keep us updated!
hello. please, I m not clear on the effect of MACA on High FSH. does it reduce it? what do you mean by balancing it? my fsh is high, according to the test and I have just bought this maca on here for the purpose of reducing my fsh. pls, clarify this? thanks
Hi Mo,
“Balancing” in this case means that if FSH levels are high or low, the maca supports the endocrine system, which is responsible for hormone regulation, in working to reduce FSH level if too high, or help the body to increase FSH level if too low. It may be helpful to learn more about why FSH levels can be too high or low by reading our FSH Levels and Your Fertility article. Elevated FSH levels in women often indicate poor egg health, low ovarian reserve, perimenopause or if very high, menopause.
Maca is extremely effective, when I have used clostil and clomid for fertility for 2 years with no effect. After drinking maca powder tea, eating more fruits and vegetables which brought me to an ideal weight I didnt even know that I was pregnant until I was 8 weeks pregnant. Maca works!!
Hi Hethir,
Referring to the question above, can Maca make your FSH levels rise? I am thinking of giving it a go but my fsh levels have been up and down.
Hello Claire!
Maca is an adaptogen herb, meaning it adapts to each individuals needs, and supports healthy hormone levels including FSH levels. It works to help you achieve balance.
In health ~ Liz
My period is very regular. I started to take Maca after having my 3rd miscarriage. I have been taking it for a month And my period is late. Should I continue taking it.
Dear Shahana,
If you are pregnant, Vitex can be weaned off of at any time. If you are not pregnant, the cycle shift may be due to a slight hormonal shift, which Maca could be a part of. Many things can impact menstrual cycle timing. Stay hydrated and exercise daily (a brisk walk is great), or try gentle abdominal massage in circular motions. Menstrual cycle shifts from herbs are temporary, work themselves out and are a good sign the body is using what the herb is offering.
Update 2014 – We are back! We have been away for a while and we sure have missed all of your wonderful questions and thoughts on our articles. Moving forward, one of our staff herbalists will be here to respond to comments! We look forward to connecting with our readers once again!
Hi there,
I just started taking MACA from whole food about a week to two weeks ago. We’ve been trying to conceive since December. My cycle would normally go date to date if I got it the first I would get it the first the next month. Recently it changed and I thought I was pregnant because I was 42 days in between march 22nd and then I ended up getting it May 3rd. It seemed to go back to normal because I received it June7th. I have been paying attention to my period tracker it says I’m on an average cycle of 35 days. I am starting to get flustered of when I should be doing it. Between my husband and I there are 11 years and I am only 25 I am hoping with both of us taking MACA we will conceive soon. Advice…please! All my girlfriends are pregnant I watch what I eat and I work out to stay healthy.
Hi Dalene
I need your help. I started taking Maca at cycle day 7 and it is CD 20 today and I am spotting. I cannot say that I have a regular period since I have slight PCOS. I don’t ovulate sometimes. I tried clomid, never worked but surprisingly two months after stopping clomid I conceived naturally but miscarried at 6 weeks. Before starting Maca I was on provera for 10 day to bring on the period. I am actively TTC so I did not track ovulation this month as I have been taking Maca for two weeks. Does this mean that it is working? I am excited yet worried. I really want to have a baby next winter.