title: A double-blind placebo-controlled trial of maca root as treatment for antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction in women.
abstract: Objective. 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. This trial is registered with NCT00568126.
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dording
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Schettler
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Susannah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Parkin
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Rosemary S W
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Kara B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Fehling
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fava
authors.affiliation: Depression Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: David
authors.identifier: 0000-0001-7233-5860
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mischoulon