NOW Foods Supplements, Maca (Lepidium meyenii) 500 mg, For Men and Women, Reproductive Health*, 250 Veg Capsules

Let me start by saying that I've NEVER had a normal cycle...I first started taking BC in high school because I'd only have a period every 3-4 months and it would be super heavy and painful. The BC worked for a while, then in college my hormones changed and I started spotting the week before my period--so 2 out of 4 weeks every month of dealing with PMS and the associated migraines was not fun. After I decided that I didn't need the birth-control portion of the pill, I decided to quit taking it and see what happened. I'd also tried this in college once with the same result--no period for months. This time I went over 6 months before finally going to the doctor to get a rx (provera) to induce my period. After taking the provera every other month, my body still wasn't adjusting to being on its own and wasn't having anything close to a normal cycle; in fact I'd even started spotting some while taking the provera too. I had read about Maca months before and had ordered some but stuck it on a shelf and never really took it consistently. It had interested me not only because of the reproductive benefits, but also because of the energy and mood boost claims. I finally researched how much I should take to be effective and took it consistently for a few months. I ended up taking six pills (3000mg) per day. I don't mind taking pills, so this wasn't a big deal and it was convenient to carry. After I took it for a few days at that dosage, I could definitely feel a slight energy boost. I'd been sluggish and just unmotivated at work, and this definitely helped me become more focused. I did notice the first few times I took it that soon after, I would need to go to the bathroom. No terrible stomach pain like some reviews claim, but just a need to go #2; which I didn't mind the extra help, since I don't always eat enough fiber anyways. I first started taking it a few weeks after one of my provera-induced periods; so in the middle of my induced "cycle". The day I should have gotten my period (using a standard 28 days after last period), I could have sworn I had some slight spotting, but then didn't have any bleeding the next day. So I kept taking the Maca for the energy benefits, and induced another period the next month, and made sure to take the Maca almost every day after that induced period. I had glanced at a calendar and knew when day 28 was coming, but I was completely shocked when I actually started spotting that day....and even continued bleeding the next few days. I am absolutely convinced that the Maca was the cause, and would definitely recommend it!!!!! If you're like me, and have suffered for years from hormonal issues (including really bad hormonal migraines several times a month while on and off the pill), Maca is definitely worth a try. The only thing it didn't really help me with was libido; mine is still as low as it's always been. Maybe if I continue to take it, that will get better as well. Just make sure you take at least 3000 mg.

Love love love. It works like magic. Give energy, help with hormone.

Good quality.

I bought this based on all the reviews I read saying it will improve your sex drive, but I didn't notice that effect. Nonetheless, I have continued taking them daily for the last 6 months. PRO: This may be TMI, so sorry, but it's pertinent. It seems to have regulated my periods. I have always had irregular periods in regards to length of period, length in between periods, and heaviness of flow. Now my periods are once per month and last about 4-5 days with regular to heavy bleeding. That is a huge improvement as they are more predictable and easier to handle. PRO: At first I noticed quite a large difference in my level of energy which lasted about 4 months. I took them every morning, but they didn't help me to wake up like caffeine does. The difference in energy was more gradual and subtle throughout the day. CON: It may take a couple weeks of use to actually feel that boost in energy. Nowadays, I don't feel like the energy effect has worn off somewhat. I feel sluggish and brain-dead often - but take this with a grain of salt because I don't get enough sleep. Perhaps I need to increase my dosage or take them throughout the day again. Neither PRO/CON: Taking Maca at night is a bad idea because it will keep you awake - or at least it kept me awake. I have not taken it at night for months so I don't know if that effect has worn off as well. CON: It has not improved my sex drive whatsoever. This is extremely disappointing. It seems to have helped a lot of people in this area but obviously it doesn't work for everyone. CON: These are more effective if taken about 3 times a day (a dose of about 2 pills 3x per day). This is a negative for me because that is a lot of pills and I don't remember to take them with me or to take more during the day. Plus that costs a bit of money. I don't mind swallowing pills fortunately, but if you do, this will be a big con for you. PRO: If you do take them several times per day, you will notice a difference in your energy and be able to cut caffeine out of your diet (with a lot of effort and withdraws of course). That has been my goal, but I've only achieved using caffeine less often, not completely going without it. Still, this is a pro for me. Conclusion: I recommend at least trying this for one month. Take them daily and pay attention to the changes in your body to see if they work for you. It took about 3 months to regulate my period and about 2 weeks to increase my energy level. These must be taken regularly in order to work properly. I recommend taking these throughout the day for the greatest effect on your energy level. Don't expect miracles though because the effects are generally subtle, but worth it for me. I still take these daily and plan to continue doing so because I notice decreased energy when I don't take them.

It really does work and provide energy

Un gran producto para regular las hormonas , mi esposa lo tomo ya que padece de ovarios poliquístico y el periodo menstrual le venía cada 3 o 4 meses , al inicio no sintió ningun cambio pero al cabo de unas semanas comenzó a sentir más energía a los dos meses el periodo menstrual le vino normal sin dolor y le duró exactamente 5 días , la sorpresa fue que exactamente 30 días después su periodo llegó nuevamente, estábamos muy felices por eso , como dato ya lleva 4 meses con su periodo menstrual normal , la dosis que ella toma son 3 cápsulas de 500 MG al día.

I started taking Maca a few weeks ago after being diagnosed with possible Adenomyosis. I did not have many symptoms other than ovulation pain and stronger longer period than before my pregnancy 2 years ago. I was surprised and scared of what it would mean if I wanted to have more children, so I started reading online about alternative forms of medicine that could help with the symptoms and slow down the progress of the condition. I found out that Adeno can be caused by estrogen dominance which I have quite a few symptoms of. Maca came up as a good food to take to help with balancing hormones naturally. So I ordered the 250 capsule bottle. I took 2 pills a day for 1 week, and saw no changes. So after a week, I increased it to 3, and it gave me major headaches so I stopped completely for a week. After that I started again, just taking 2 pills a day, in the morning after breakfast. Ovulation came and was still painful somewhat but less than before. When my period showed up, it was day and night to how it had been the previous months. Light, and only four days long (instead of 8). The only thing I changed in my diet was taking maca and I'm sure that is what contributed to the change. I say give it a shot, it might take time to see results but I highly recommend it. Also, as added info, I had a hard time figuring out the dosage, while the bottle says 2 capsules a day (= 1 gram), I read that some people take up to 10 grams. It depends on your size, your age, the reason why you are taking it. So FYI, I'm 140 Lbs, and in my mid-30s. The dosage is really something you have to experiment with, but 1 gram a day for me works.

While I have read endless reviews, how this is a miracle for some, it was definitely not that for me. I had hopes for increased energy, sex drive, fertility, all the things this can offer. I have always been 100% regular, with my cycles. Never had acne. I am 31, with 2 small children. Any extra energy, would be great. Of course increased libido is a plus, for me, & my husband. Started out slow. 1 capsule a day, for a week, increased to the maximum recommended dose, 1500mg a day. I took that for a month. Honestly, I really didn't have any noticeable changes. Maybe a little bit energy? My cycle was due. Usually, clockwork. 4 days later- it came. More painful than usual. Very heavy. Lasted 3 days, instead of 5. I researched more. I didn't give in. The next month, I was 5 days date. Now.. Now, I am having my second period, in 1 month. I have been bleeding/spotting for 12 days out of 22 days. I am on day 7 of (consecutive) bleeding/spotting. This really stinks. I am definitely not pregnant. I am definitely unfamiliar with my body right now. I have never, had anything like this happen. I'm not sure if the maca is part of the next part, but I can say that my breast have gotten bigger. A whole cup! That's pretty awesome. I have gained 9lbs in the last several weeks. (I was trying to) I read where women said, "this made my butt bigger!! Or, my breast.. " I seriously didn't think that was possible. I didn't take this for weight gain, or butt & breast enhancement. But, indeed it did. No complaints about that. Acne, I have had zits, & bumps on my face, back.. Yuck. Never, have I had this problem. I'm not sure if I would recommend this, or not.. That's why I give the 3* review. Use at your own risk. This was my experience.