Does Maca Help ED or Erections? Libido, Firmness, and the Research

The image of maca as a sexual-vitality supplement leads some people to try it when they want firmer erections.

An increase in libido is not the same as a change in erection firmness or ease of maintenance.

There are randomized controlled trials of maca in people, but not many specifically for ED. A systematic review of herbal supplements published in 2026 also concluded that the evidence for maca remains insufficient (Ho et al., 2026).

A trial included 50 men with mild ED

A 2009 double-blind randomized trial gave 50 men with mild ED either a dried maca extract or placebo for 12 weeks (Zenico et al., 2009).

IIEF-5 scores improved in both groups, but the improvement was larger with maca: an average of 1.6 points versus 0.5 points in the placebo group.

Some measures of psychological and physical satisfaction also improved more in the maca group (Zenico et al., 2009).

There were still only 50 participants. It was a small 12-week trial limited to mild ED.

One study cannot be expanded into the claim that maca treats ED.

A 2010 systematic review also found limited data

A 2010 systematic review found only four randomized controlled trials of maca and sexual function (Shin et al., 2010).

The participants varied across studies: male libido, female sexual function, healthy cyclists, and men with mild ED (Shin et al., 2010).

Some studies reported improved libido or sexual function, but the number of studies, participant counts, and study quality were not sufficient for a firm conclusion (Shin et al., 2010).

Being a well-known supplement is not the same as having many clinical trials for ED.

A 2026 review also found insufficient evidence for maca

A 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of herbal supplements considered 14 randomized controlled trials, including 1,227 men with ED (Ho et al., 2026).

Herbal supplements as a group were associated with improvements in erectile function or libido (Ho et al., 2026).

By ingredient, however, some data supported ginseng or saffron while the evidence for maca remained insufficient (Ho et al., 2026).

It is not valid to turn “the herbal group had a favorable result” into “maca has the same effect.”

Distinguishing Libido from Erectile Function: Why Mechanism Matters

Libido is the desire to engage in sexual activity.

An erection is a physical response involving nerve signals, blood flow, hormones, and psychological state.

Someone can have high libido and difficulty getting an erection. Someone else can get an erection while having low libido.

Maca studies mix trials that measured libido with trials that measured erectile function (Zenico et al., 2009; Shin et al., 2010).

Do not replace “libido increased” with “erections become firmer.”

Does Maca Increase Testosterone Levels? What Clinical Trials Show

Maca is sometimes advertised as increasing testosterone.

Its effects on sexual function have not been confirmed to result from increased testosterone.

A package labeled “for men” or “testosterone support” is not evidence that hormone levels will rise.

Whether testosterone is low is assessed with symptoms and, when appropriate, blood tests.

The relationship between testosterone and ED is covered separately in “Does Low Testosterone Cause ED?”

Check the maca preparation and added ingredients

Products labeled maca can differ in whether they contain powder or an extract, how much is in a serving, and which other ingredients are added. Results from a trial using a dried extract cannot be applied to every maca product.

If you browse products, check the source, serving amount, and other ingredients on the label. Read libido and erection outcomes separately rather than choosing a product by a sexual-vitality claim.

BananaUp records maca without recommending it

BananaUp’s Maca Log is not a Routine that recommends maca.

If you already use it, record the intake day next to your Condition in the Supplement Log.

Maca source, extraction method, amount, and other ingredients vary by product, so BananaUp does not set one universal dose.

It does not display a conclusion that maca “worked” just because a few days felt better.

If difficulty getting or maintaining an erection continues for several weeks, speak with a healthcare professional before increasing maca or adding more supplements.

Use the Male Condition Check to review daily context. In 14-day tracking, keep supplement intake and Condition trends visibly separate.