Maca Supplements for Men: Benefits, Testosterone and Sexual Health

Men take maca supplements for libido, stamina and what is often called natural testosterone support, but research backs only some of those claims. This guide separates what the human trials show from what marketing promises, so you can decide whether a maca root supplement for men is worth trying and how to choose one safely.

Are Maca Supplements Good for Men?

Maca may give some men a modest lift in sexual desire, but it has not been shown to raise testosterone, and the evidence overall is limited. Most human trials are small, last 12 weeks or less, and use different products. In short:

Sexual desire: one 12-week trial in 57 healthy men reported improvement from week 8.
Erectile function: a small effect in men with mild erectile dysfunction in one trial, with mixed results across two.
Testosterone: no increase in healthy men in the trials that measured it.
Energy and exercise: a pilot study only, so the evidence is too thin to rely on.
Fertility: mixed results, covered in our separate guide.

The sections below explain each point and what to look for when you shop.

Does Maca Increase Testosterone?

No. In the trials that measured hormones, a maca supplement did not raise testosterone, which makes “testosterone booster” a misleading label for maca.

Study	Men	Dose and length	Testosterone result
Gonzales et al., 2003 and 2002 (two reports with the same design)	Healthy men aged 21 to 56	1.5 or 3 g a day for 12 weeks	No effect on testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin or estradiol compared with placebo
Randomized trial in men with fertility problems	50 men	Yellow maca for 16 weeks	No significant hormone changes, apart from a lower free testosterone level

The 2002 report on sexual desire is the more interesting result. Men in the maca group reported more sexual desire from week 8, and the authors found that this was not explained by changes in testosterone, estradiol, depression scores or anxiety scores. If maca helps desire, it appears to work through something other than testosterone.

That has two practical consequences. First, maca is not a substitute for testosterone treatment. If you suspect low testosterone, with symptoms such as persistent fatigue, low desire or loss of muscle, ask a doctor for a blood test. Second, treat any product that promises “increased testosterone” from maca alone with suspicion.

Maca for Erectile Dysfunction and Sexual Health

Maca has a small but real research signal for men’s sexual well-being, and a weaker one for erectile function. Do not treat it as an erectile dysfunction (ED) treatment.

Sexual desire: in the 12-week trial described above, healthy men taking maca reported higher desire from week 8 onward, with no sign of a testosterone change.
Mild ED: in a double-blind trial of 50 men, 2,400 mg of maca extract for 12 weeks led to a larger rise in erectile-function scores than placebo (1.6 points versus 0.5). Both groups improved, and the authors described the maca effect as small.
Overall picture: a 2023 meta-analysis found only two trials with 79 men in total. One was positive and one was not. The pooled result favored maca, but the authors called the evidence limited.

If you have trouble with erections, see a doctor first. ED can be an early sign of heart disease, diabetes or low testosterone, and a supplement should not delay that check. For a closer look at desire specifically, see our upcoming guide on maca for libido.

Stamina, Mood and Exercise: What Is Known

The evidence for stamina and mood in men is too thin to rely on. The best-known human study is a pilot trial of eight trained cyclists who took maca extract for 14 days. Their 40 km time-trial performance improved compared with their own baseline, but not compared with the placebo period. Their sexual desire scores did improve compared with placebo. With only eight participants, the authors called for larger studies.

On mood, the 2002 desire trial found that its results were not explained by changes in depression or anxiety scores, so it does not show that maca lifts mood in healthy men. If low energy or low mood is your main concern, sleep, activity, stress and medical causes such as thyroid problems or sleep apnea are better places to start.

Is Black Maca the Best Choice for Men?

Black maca is the color most often marketed to men, but we found no human trial that compares it directly with yellow or red maca. Health references say it is not clear whether the colors differ in people, and a 2022 systematic review noted color-related differences in some studies without settling the question. The best-known human trials in men tested gelatinized maca or a dry extract, and their abstracts do not name a color.

If you want to try a black maca supplement for men, treat the color as a preference rather than a proven advantage. Make sure the label names black maca as the root type, states the amount of maca per serving, and that the brand can provide a batch test report. A higher price alone does not mean a better product.

How to Choose the Best Maca Root Supplement for Men

The biggest risk when buying a maca supplement for men is not maca itself but a product that is not what it claims to be. As of its 2019 update, the FDA had identified more than 400 sexual-enhancement supplements tainted with hidden drug ingredients, and some were sold as “all natural.” The hidden drugs have included sildenafil and tadalafil, the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis. Taken with nitrate medicines for chest pain, they can lower blood pressure to dangerous levels, and the FDA has said it cannot test every product on the market.

Use these checks to lower that risk and to compare real maca products:

Stay away from “male enhancement” claims. Instant results, “works in 30 minutes” and brand names built around performance are warning signs. Maca works, if at all, over weeks.
Look for maca by name, with the amount. The trials used about 1.5 to 3 g of maca a day, or 2.4 g of extract. If a label hides the maca dose inside a proprietary blend, you cannot compare it.
Be careful with long ingredient lists. Each extra ingredient adds its own side effects and drug interactions, and most have less evidence than maca for the same goal.
Check the FDA list. Search the product name on the FDA’s tainted-products pages before buying from a marketplace seller.
Ask for testing. Reputable brands can share a batch report for contaminants and identity. Our guide on how to read a COA explains what to look for.

Any man taking nitrate medication, blood pressure drugs or ED medication should talk to a pharmacist before adding a sexual-health supplement.

Safety and When to See a Doctor

Maca is generally well tolerated by healthy men, and the most common side effect is an upset stomach. Long-term safety data are limited, so speak with a doctor or pharmacist first if any of these apply:

You have a hormone-sensitive condition such as prostate cancer, or a thyroid disorder.
You take regular medication, especially nitrates, blood pressure drugs or ED drugs.
You have a hormone blood test coming up. Mention maca to your clinician.

See a doctor if low desire, erection problems or fatigue last more than a few weeks, even if maca seems to help. These symptoms can have medical causes that a supplement will not fix. Our full guide to maca side effects and safety is coming soon.

Maca Supplements for Men FAQ

What is the best maca supplement for men?

There is no proven single best product. A good choice names the root type, states the maca amount in mg, avoids “male enhancement” claims and can show batch test results.

Does maca increase testosterone?

No. Trials that measured testosterone in men found no increase. Any benefit for desire appears to work by another route.

How long does maca take to work for men?

In the main desire trial, men reported improvement from week 8 of a 12-week course. Do not expect results in days.

Can I take maca with ED medication?

There is not enough research to say. Ask a pharmacist or doctor before combining maca with any ED, nitrate or blood pressure medicine.

Are maca dietary supplements for men safe to buy online?

Only if you buy from a seller you trust. Products marketed for sexual enhancement are one of the categories where the FDA has repeatedly found hidden prescription drugs, so avoid unknown brands and miracle claims.

Building a Maca Product for Men?

If you are a brand owner, the findings above shape the formula: a clearly disclosed maca dose in the range used in research, a short ingredient list and batch testing you can show customers. KS Nutripharma develops custom maca supplements and men’s health formulas in capsules, tablets, powders and gummies. Send us a brief and our team will recommend a formula and format.