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Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men

2002; Wiley; Volume: 34; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.x

1439-0272

Gustavo F. Gonzáles, A. Cordova, Karla Vega, Alice Chung, Arturo Villena, Carmen Góñez, Stefano S. García Castillo,

Ovarian function and disorders

AndrologiaVolume 34, Issue 6 p. 367-372 Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men G. F. Gonzales, G. F. Gonzales Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorA. Córdova, A. Córdova Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorK. Vega, K. Vega Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorA. Chung, A. Chung Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorA. Villena, A. Villena Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorC. Góñez, C. Góñez Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorS. Castillo, S. Castillo Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this author G. F. Gonzales, G. F. Gonzales Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorA. Córdova, A. Córdova Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorK. Vega, K. Vega Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorA. Chung, A. Chung Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorA. Villena, A. Villena Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorC. Góñez, C. Góñez Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this authorS. Castillo, S. Castillo Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, and Department of Biological and Physiological Sciences (Faculty of Sciences and Philosophy), Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, PeruSearch for more papers by this author First published: 11 December 2002 https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1439-0272.2002.00519.xCitations: 112 Gustavo F. Gonzales, Instituto de Investigaciones de la Altura, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Postal Office 1843, Lima, Peru. Fax 00 511 4821195; e-mail: [email protected] Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Abstract Summary. This study was a 12-week double blind placebo-controlled, randomized, parallel trial in which active treatment with different doses of Maca Gelatinizada was compared with placebo. The study aimed to demonstrate if effect of Maca on subjective report of sexual desire was because of effect on mood or serum testosterone levels. Men aged 21–56 years received Maca in one of two doses: 1500 mg or 3000 mg or placebo. Self-perception on sexual desire, score for Hamilton test for depression, and Hamilton test for anxiety were measured at 4, 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. An improvement in sexual desire was observed with Maca since 8 weeks of treatment. Serum testosterone and oestradiol levels were not different in men treated with Maca and in those treated with placebo (P:NS). Logistic regression analysis showed that Maca has an independent effect on sexual desire at 8 and 12 weeks of treatment, and this effect is not because of changes in either Hamilton scores for depression or anxiety or serum testosterone and oestradiol levels. In conclusion, treatment with Maca improved sexual desire. References Adimoelja A (2000) Phytochemicals and the breakthrough of traditional herbs in the management of sexual dysfunctions. Int J Androl 23 (Suppl 2): 82 – 84. Anderson RA, Bancroft J, Wu FCW (1992) The effects of exogenous testosterone on sexuality and mood of normal men. 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