Maca Root: A PMDD Miracle?

Alright, I don't like to tout the word miracle, however, the past couple cycles that I've been taking maca root, my PMDD has been significantly better. How you might ask? For starters, almost no mental/emotional symptoms. I've had more energy, and because of that I've been doing more with my time. Normally, as luteal phase onsets and progresses, I get less and less active. I don't tend to get out of the house much during those weeks. Social interaction is far from something I'm interested in... until now.

What is Maca Root?

There is already a lot of information out there on the Web regarding maca root and how it can help nourish your endocrine system and balance your hormones, so I'm not going to touch on it too heavily. That being said, maca root is actually a vegetable plant. I'm not a doctor, and I won't boast any ability to categorize what is natural and what isn't, but come on... it's a vegetable people.

This natural remedy, popularly grown in Peru, is a known energetic. If you are known to be sensitive to other energetics, such as caffeine, you may want to start taking Maca Root in small doses. Likewise, taking it in the morning is best. I have forgotten it twice, and taken it later in the day, and I paid for it with some serious insomnia both nights. I've not thoroughly researched who should and should not take maca root. I think anything is worth running by your physician or naturopath.

Should You Take Maca Root?

I have read that women with PCOS, breast cancer, or those with thyroid problems may want to veer away from taking maca root. Meanwhile, some medical experts recommend it to treat some thyroid conditions. Other articles have mentioned cautioning those with prostate cancer from taking it. People with high blood pressure may want to avoid maca root as one study did find that maca root increased blood pressure levels in some patients when large doses were taken on a daily basis. People with goiters are often advised against maca root use. While it has been used for years upon years in some cultures when trying to conceive and while pregnant, many modern day doctors advise against it. It seems it's often a matter of self-education when it comes to maca root. Some medical professionals don't even know what it is. It's not mainstream medicine. Just like many other herbs, it hasn't been evaluated to say officially, whether it is safe or not. I would strongly advise doing your own research and discussing your maca root treatment plan with a medical professional if you have any concerns.

What Maca Root Is Doing For Me

I've been out several times with friends recently. The bloating—still present—didn't hold me back from recent nights on the town. I've had the energy to get up in the morning and get the kids off to school, the laundry, dishes, housekeeping... done, with time to spare. I've taken time to have lunch with friends and even squeezed in a couple naps here and there. Yes, I do have more energy. I'm not so lethargic that I'm laying in bed all day, but the tiresome aspect is still there. I am still sleepy by 9pm, but I'm functioning better and making more appropriate use of my time all around.

The fatigue that I do experience isn't the kind one feels with the depression that sets in during luteal phase. Maybe that's due to the fact that I haven't had any depression for the past two cycles. I'm on Day 25 and spotting already, so it looks like Aunt Flo is on the horizon. I actually felt quite good yesterday, even very affectionate toward my other half, which is a feeling that usually wanes by the time ovulation passes for me.

Let's go over last cycle, which was my first official trial run with maca root. I've been taken capsules, about 1200mg a day. I am under the impression that you can take more than such, but that's where I've started, and it seems to be working, so I figure—why mess with a good thing?

Last month, my cycle was 25 days long. It's usually 28 on average. I can't be sure if the maca is shortening it or not, as I just went off birth control four months ago and could still be irregular.

What It's Not Doing

I still have acne (and have since going off the pill). I still have fatigue, as I noted. The bloating is better than usual, but still present. Mentally, I am still in a bit of a fog, feeling like my brain doesn't work as well as it does when in follicular phase. That's pretty much it though. I would even go so far as to say any irritability I have had is comparable to that I'd have on a regular "bad day" in follicular that any non-PMDD person would experience. 

More Benefits

Aside from those I clearly listed above as having impacted me personally, maca root is touted for many other reasons, such as:

• black maca root is used widely as a remedy for low sperm count and poor mobility in men
• yellow maca is thought to improve female fertility
• maca root has been used for ages to support healthy pregnancies
• maca root is said to support glucose control, something that is important to many women with PMDD who find their moods and energy levels are aligned with their blood sugar.
• touted as preventing skin damage by UV rays
• believed to aid in preventing osteoporosis when a lack of estrogen is present
• soothes symptoms of menopause without disrupting hormonal levels (I believe this is why it works for PMDD symptoms)
• boosted libido

Making the Maca Root Choice

Maca root is quite affordable. You can even buy it in powdered form and bake it into things, like these Coconut and Maca Balls. The option to purchase in powder form also means the ability to capule them yourself in the dosage you wish. For the sake of my own sanity and not making a mess or fiddling with such, I buy them with all of that already done for me, but to each there own.

I should note, that I do take other supplements in addition to my daily dose of maca root (which I only currently take during my luteal phase). I also take Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin D, a Prenatal Vitamin, Magnesium, Fish Oil, Vitamin B-6, and Calcium.

Some Great Articles and Studies I've Stumbled Across:

Study: Maca Root Decrease Psychological Side Effects Like Depression and Anxiety

Maca the Hormone Regulator