--- title: Can maca, an herbal supplement, help with PCOS, PMS, dysmenorrhea, and hormone imbalances? description: In this one woman with PCOS, yes - after three months of taking maca, her PMS symptoms, dysmenorrhea, and hormone levels improved, and these improvements last url: https://niyora.com/research/papers/concentrated-gelatinized-proprietary-phenotype-formulation-of-lepidium-2024/ --- - [Niyora](https://niyora.com/) - [Research](https://niyora.com/research/) - [Library](https://niyora.com/research/library/) - Can maca, an herbal supplement, help with PCOS, PMS, dysmenorrhea, and hormone imbalances? Case report, 2024 # Can maca, an herbal supplement, help with PCOS, PMS, dysmenorrhea, and hormone imbalances? In this one woman with PCOS, yes - after three months of taking maca, her PMS symptoms, dysmenorrhea, and hormone levels improved, and these improvements lasted over two years. But this is one person's story, so we can't be sure it works for others. Early or limited evidence One woman with PCOS, PMS, dysmenorrhea, and hormone imbalances ## What they did The doctors describe one woman with PCOS (a condition affecting the ovaries and hormones). She had PMS, painful periods, menstrual irregularities, and hormone imbalances. She took a concentrated, gelatinized form of maca called MacaHarmony. The doctors tracked her symptoms and hormone levels over time. ## What they found After three months, the patient had dramatic improvements: her periods became regular, her ovulation improved (shown by better cervical mucus, increased libido, less ovulatory pain), and her PMS and period pain got better (less breast tenderness and mood changes). Her hormone levels improved (better LH and FSH balance, better estradiol levels). Several markers also improved including glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides. These improvements continued for over two years, and lab tests showed the improvements in hormone balance had lasted. ## What it means for you Maca might help some women with PCOS improve their PMS, painful periods, and menstrual regularity. The main limit is that this is just one woman's experience - we don't know if maca would work for others, or whether the improvement was from maca or from something else. 3 months until dramatic improvements over 2 years improvements lasted ## About the study Original title Concentrated Gelatinized Proprietary Phenotype Formulation of Lepidium peruvianum (maca) Positively Impacts Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Dysmenorrhea, and Hormone Levels for Fertility Optimization: A Case Report Authors Stefani Kovacovsky Hayes, Susan Manongi, Kim Ross Journal Obstetrics & Gynecology Open Access Year 2024 Study design Case report What was tested Concentrated gelatinized maca (MacaHarmony) Open access Yes Read the paper [doi.org/10.29011/2577-2236.100177](https://doi.org/10.29011/2577-2236.100177) Original abstract Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is considered one of the most common endocrine and metabolic issues in premenopausal (fertile/reproductive age) women.Women with PCOS can experience multiple signs and symptoms, including but not limited to unexplained weight gain or the inability to lose weight, obesity, pelvic pain, virilism, hirsutism, acne, menstrual irregularities, insulin resistance, infertility, decreased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), increased luteinizing hormone (LH), imbalanced LH/FSH ratio, and increased anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH).Multiple root causes of PCOS have been identified, which may present challenges in determining the best clinical care for women.Further, because the diagnostic criterion for PCOS has changed over time, some confusion within the medical community regarding the best therapies for care exists.Additionally, treatment options can vary based on the criterion each patient meets.It is reported that over two-thirds of women with PCOS are seeking alternative care, such as herbal and supplement options.The purpose of this case report is to share the experience of one woman with PCOS using a concentrated gelatinized proprietary phenotype formulation of Lepidium peruvianum (maca), commercially known as MacaHarmony ® , as the primary therapy to address menstrual irregularities, ovulary dysfunction, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), dysmenorrhea, and imbalanced hormones (altered LH/FSH ratio, functionally elevated estradiol, and elevated AMH).In three months, the patient experienced dramatic improvements, including menstrual regularity, enhanced ovulation (improved cervical mucous and libido, decreased ovulatory pain), and decreased length and severity of dysmenorrhea and PMS symptoms (breast tenderness, mood changes).The patient maintained these positive outcomes for over two years.A two-year comparative analysis of labs showed improved LH/FSH ratio and estradiol levels, providing optimized hormonal balance and thereby enhanced fertility potential.In addition, several cardiometabolic markers (glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides) were improved.These improvements may serve as the basis for future research into how specific maca phenotypes or combinations of maca phenotypes, when gelatinized and concentrated, can assist women with PCOS and enhance fertility outcomes. Reproduced under CC-BY-SA. ## Topics [Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-pms/)[Dysmenorrhea and period pain](https://niyora.com/research/topics/condition-dysmenorrhea/)[Cognition, concentration and memory](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-cognition/)[Bloating, breast tenderness and physical symptoms](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-physical-symptoms/)[Pain and headache](https://niyora.com/research/topics/symptom-pain/)[Other herbal medicine](https://niyora.com/research/topics/treatment-herbal-other/)[Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)](https://niyora.com/research/topics/comorbidity-pcos/) Research tells you what helps on average. Niyora helps on the day it hits. Calm down, see it another way, and decide what to say, with a PMS and PMDD app built by a doctor. ## Related studies Systematic review, 2021 Does damask rose help reduce menstrual pain, headache, fatigue, anxiety, and bloating? 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