A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Maca Root as Treatment for Antidepressant-Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Women

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Christina M. Dording, Massachusetts General Hospital; Pamela Schettler, Emory University; Elizabeth D. Dalton, Massachusetts General Hospital; Susannah R. Parkin, Massachusetts General Hospital; Rosemary S. W. Walker, Massachusetts General Hospital; Kara B. Fehling, Massachusetts General Hospital; Maurizio Fava, Massachusetts General Hospital; David Mischoulon, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Language: English
• Date: 2015-04-14
• Publisher: Hindawi Publishing Corporation
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2015 Christina M. Dording et al.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/949036
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
• ISSN: 1741-427X
• Volume: 2015
• Grant/Funding Information: Dr. Christina M. Dording was supported by an R21 grant from the National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM).
• Keywords: RATS; BUPROPION; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; VALIDITY; SYMPTOMS; Integrative & Complementary Medicine; Science & Technology; LEPIDIUM-MEYENII MACA; DESIRE DISORDER; BEHAVIOR; ADULT HEALTHY-MEN; QUESTIONNAIRE; EXTRACT
• Research Categories: Psychology, Psychobiology; Psychology, Physiological; Psychology, General

Abstract

We sought to demonstrate that maca root may be an effective treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction (AISD) in women. Method. We conducted a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of maca root (3.0 g/day) in 45 female outpatients (mean age of 41.5 ± 12.5 years) with SSRI/SNRI-induced sexual dysfunction whose depression remitted. Endpoints were improvement in sexual functioning as per the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) and the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Function Questionnaire (MGH-SFQ). Results. 45 of 57 consented females were randomized, and 42 (30 premenopausal and 12 postmenopausal women) were eligible for a modified intent-to-treat analysis based on having had at least one postmedication visit. Remission rates by the end of treatment were higher for the maca than the placebo group, based on attainment of an ASEX total score ≤ 10 (9.5% for maca versus 4.8% for placebo), attaining an MGH-SFQ score ≤ 12 (30.0% for maca versus 20.0% for placebo) and reaching an MGH-SFQ score ≤ 8 (9.5% for maca versus 5.0% for placebo). Higher remission rates for the maca versus placebo group were associated with postmenopausal status. Maca was well tolerated. Conclusion. Maca root may alleviate SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women.