So talk to me about Maca

[Norasmomma]

I have decided that I will start taking maca, but I know not that much about it. Dosage etc....

I currently am taking a multi with 800mcg folic acid, fish oil, zinc, EPO, started up on vitex again(which actually has worked very quickly for me in the past-3weeks or so).

I know it tastes gross, I know it helps with libido and can help with fertility. What else is there I need to know?

TIA-e

[ShwarmaQueen]

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[Hesperia]

:

I bought some a while back for low-libido but the stuff tastes so nasty I stopped taking it.

BUT, this morning I took it again (it works quickly for me ), still tasted nasty, but if it can help TTC then I'll take it.

In water, nasty. In soy milk, ok. In juice, not too bad.
I've heard good things about chocolate and peanut butter....but that sounds gross to me! I used a little whisk to remove any clumps and drink it FAST.

The one I have is organic powdered maca, and from what I read online, start with a 1/4 tsp and work up to 1 tsp. Twice per day is apparently better than once.
I've never worked my way up to 1tsp, I just start there. Doesn't seem to make a difference with me.

Happy Maca-ing



ETA: if you have a health store near you, try to find some empty capsules to put the maca in, that way you will only burp it! I'm planning on doing this when I have more income flow, for now, I'll plug my nose.

[ILove]

I heard you shouldnt take it unless you have problems with your cycles or fertility...that its a medicine, not just a regular suppliment, and may do more harm than good if you take it when perfectly healthy. I also heard it suits some people and doesnt others. I cant confirm though, just something I heard. Id like to know more too

[CaliMommie]

I talked to the herbalist at the local HFS, and he recommended False Unicorn over maca, so I recently started that instead.

[leerypolyp]

I took it in capsules, about a tsp a day or more. I had been having regular-ish but slightly long/disorganized cycles for a few months, but the first month I did maca, I got pregnant.

I really think it did something.

[Norasmomma]

Well my issues have been not irregularity in my cycles, but since DD I have had major hormonal issues and had debilitating migraines for her first year, and then I started taking Vitex which helped with that.

Basically the thing is DH and I have TTC 2 months and nothing is happening(DD was 1st try) and I have read that maca can really help with TTC by balancing the hormones in the body. It also is good for men by helping sperm and semen health, so he is willing to try and take it also(I am also ok with it increasing his libido). Right now we just want to have another child and if can up our chances I'm all for it.

The HFS is ordering me capsules and they will be here Monday. From what I have read it isn't something that you only take when there are issues, I read that women in Peru take it from childhood on and that there are numerous studies that show they have increased fertility into later years. From all that I have read there wasn't anything that said it was dangerous to take if you don't have cycle issues.

[leerypolyp]

Yeah, I mean, it's a food that everybody eats. I didn't worry about it at all in terms of safety.

[Hesperia]

I have heard nothing but good things of maca, even for perfectly 'normal' cycles. It isn't just for females, and children can take it too.

It is a food, root vegetable, so I don't really worry a bit about it being dangerous. If something doesn't feel right, just stop taking them, you know?
It is filled with amazing properties and excellent for libido, did I mention the libido part Also really helps with your energy levels. Also said to help clear skin up.



Can you send along the information about it being dangerous/not advise for normal cycles?

[mama*pisces]

Hey Norasmomma!

Big fan of Maca here. I started taking on November 15th, ovulated on the 19th, and here I am, 8 weeks pregnant. I KNOW it helped - my cycles were totally out of whack before I started taking it. I certainly didn't expect it to work so quickly!

I was taking the liquid and ewwww it was so nasty. The best way I could take it down was in fruit juice but even that was awful. My plan was to get some of the powder after I was done with the liquid, and buy some of those gelatin caps to put it in. Seemed to be the most economical way of taking it, and without so much of that nasty taste.

I have read that it does mess with some women's cycles for some reason, but it seems to work for the majority from what I have seen. Best of luck, I really hope it works for you!

[Norasmomma]

Originally Posted by Hesperia

It is filled with amazing properties and excellent for libido, did I mention the libido part Also really helps with your energy levels. Also said to help clear skin up.



Can you send along the information about it being dangerous/not advise for normal cycles?

I never read that it was dangerous, someone else who posted said it was dangerous if your cycles aren't weird or off. Everything I've read is that it's a food that helps with libido, and hormones balancing(and if it's good for the skin that's a bonus). I am getting the pills so I don't have to deal with the gross taste of the powder.

Hey mama*pisces-glad that you are doing well. I have been a bit bummed because I keep hearing about all these women I know getting pg and I am still not. Ugh, I really *hate* TTC, last time was just so easy, this time it's been a bit of a struggle. Hopefully I will see a BFP soon.

[mama*pisces]

Originally Posted by Norasmomma

Hopefully I will see a BFP soon.

I really hope so.

[BHappy]

Originally Posted by mama*pisces

Hey Norasmomma!

Big fan of Maca here. I started taking on November 15th, ovulated on the 19th, and here I am, 8 weeks pregnant. I KNOW it helped - my cycles were totally out of whack before I started taking it. I certainly didn't expect it to work so quickly!

I was taking the liquid and ewwww it was so nasty. The best way I could take it down was in fruit juice but even that was awful. My plan was to get some of the powder after I was done with the liquid, and buy some of those gelatin caps to put it in. Seemed to be the most economical way of taking it, and without so much of that nasty taste.

I have read that it does mess with some women's cycles for some reason, but it seems to work for the majority from what I have seen. Best of luck, I really hope it works for you!

Hi mamapisces, you're the only one I've seen around here who took the tincture. I'm also taking it. It isn't any worse to me than echinacea. Anyway, how much of the tincture were you taking? I've been taking two dropperfuls, twice daily. I did find my cycle this time to be different. I had less cm -- even had a hard time knowing I was ovulating -- and I O'd later than usual. I've kept taking it, and now am 6dpo. I'd love to know how much you were taking. Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

[Danielle13]

can you take it while bf? I'd love to have something to boost my libido! And, my cycles are pretty wacked. Short LP ect.

[mama*pisces]

Originally Posted by Danielle13

can you take it while bf? I'd love to have something to boost my libido! And, my cycles are pretty wacked. Short LP ect.

Yup, I took it while breastfeeding. It's completely safe, and should help lengthen your LP.

Originally Posted by BHappy

Hi mamapisces, you're the only one I've seen around here who took the tincture. I'm also taking it. It isn't any worse to me than echinacea. Anyway, how much of the tincture were you taking? I've been taking two dropperfuls, twice daily. I did find my cycle this time to be different. I had less cm -- even had a hard time knowing I was ovulating -- and I O'd later than usual. I've kept taking it, and now am 6dpo. I'd love to know how much you were taking. Congratulations on your pregnancy!!

I'll take echinacea over Maca any day! lol I was taking 1 teaspoon a day - that's how much the bottle I had said to take. Which really doesn't seem like a whole lot, but thankfully it did the trick.

[Lauren31]

Maca did not really work for me... but perhaps I did not take enough of it... who knows.

[claudi81]

I got pregnant with maca but lost it

Hi,

I started taking Maca on the 10/24/08 and got pregant the same cycle, for some reason my temps went all over the place and the OPK showed a positive cd14 but other signs of ovulation I. On the cd 17 I actually had egg white cm and ovulation pain. So I guessed O just came later. 9 days later I had implantaion bleeding and a day later a positive hpt. I had a sonogram and saw the heartbeat at 7 weeks, but a week later I felt sick and had some spotting, they gave me another sonogram and saw that the baby had died soon after I had the first sonogram, two day before christmas I had a D&C.

It is a difficult time for us and I keep wondering if it was the maca that caused my cycle to go all weired with temps all over the place and late ovulation, I know that is normal to ask yourself what it was that caused the death of the baby. If maca delayed ovulation and temps all over the place maybe it had something to do with the health of the egg. I can't quit wondering. Maca did help with my stamina and skin problems and as I did get pregnant so quickly I wonder If I should start taking it again when I am ready to try again.

Any suggestions or experience ????

[Hesperia]

Originally Posted by Norasmomma

I never read that it was dangerous, someone else who posted said it was dangerous if your cycles aren't weird or off.

You are right, you didn't say 'dangerous', I was thinking that in my head I guess....sorry 'bout that. What I was trying to say, is I've never heard of it messing with a 'normal' period, but I guess I should do some more reading.

Anyways, only two days into it again, and the libido, whoa! I just got turned DOWN! haha.

Skin is looking rather gorgeous too, if that isn't too vain to say (dealing with acne since I was 11...).

[mom-to-jj]

I thought I had researched every miracle baby-making supplement out there, but this is the first I've ever heard of maca. Lots of comments about the nasty taste...is it more effective in powder form than pill form? I would put up with the taste if it would work more efficiently.

DH was chagrined today to see the cost of the Fertilitea and Pre-Seed I just got in the mail. But I bet he wouldn't complain about the price of a libido booster! :

[mama*pisces]

Originally Posted by claudi81

Hi,

I started taking Maca on the 10/24/08 and got pregant the same cycle, for some reason my temps went all over the place and the OPK showed a positive cd14 but other signs of ovulation I. On the cd 17 I actually had egg white cm and ovulation pain. So I guessed O just came later. 9 days later I had implantaion bleeding and a day later a positive hpt. I had a sonogram and saw the heartbeat at 7 weeks, but a week later I felt sick and had some spotting, they gave me another sonogram and saw that the baby had died soon after I had the first sonogram, two day before christmas I had a D&C.

It is a difficult time for us and I keep wondering if it was the maca that caused my cycle to go all weired with temps all over the place and late ovulation, I know that is normal to ask yourself what it was that caused the death of the baby. If maca delayed ovulation and temps all over the place maybe it had something to do with the health of the egg. I can't quit wondering. Maca did help with my stamina and skin problems and as I did get pregnant so quickly I wonder If I should start taking it again when I am ready to try again.

Any suggestions or experience ????

I am SO sorry to hear about your experience. I have not heard of Maca causing a m/c, but I suppose it could be possible? I don't want to discourage or encourage you to take it one way or the other, though I did have a great experience with it. I would say just do extensive research on it(like maybe google 'Maca causing m/c' or something), and then go with what your heart tells you. I wish you the best.