Best Ways to Lower Testosterone for PCOS

How to Lower Testosterone in Women

The combined effect of testosterone and estrogen assists with the growth, repair, and maintenance of female reproductive tissues. Ovarian or adrenal tumors can also lead to elevated testosterone levels. These tumors may need surgical removal or treatment with medication to restore hormonal balance.

For this reason, it’s a good idea to always check serum levels of DHEA in addition to cortisol levels when evaluating testosterone levels. Think of ​exercise as an extra way to help prevent your body from developing high testosterone levels. ​Compare this to menopause (a complete lack of progesterone with low levels of estrogen) and women generally end up with LOW testosterone levels. Take for example women with PMS and PMDD, conditions caused by elevated estrogen levels (AKA Estrogen dominance). Simply check both your Hgb A1c and fasting insulin levels in addition to free and total testosterone. In men insulin resistance typically causes low testosterone, but in women, it can cause both.

What treatment they recommend usually depends on what’s causing the high testosterone. Typically, a health care provider will recommend lifestyle changes, including dietary changes, for more sustained results. They may also recommend medication or treatment to control symptoms, such as unwanted hair or acne. Natural solutions can help women who experience high testosterone symptoms.

In this article, I will look at some of the health issues that can raise testosterone levels in women. You will also find out what you can do to decrease testosterone in females naturally. Cells that become resistant to the effects of insulin will not only not allow glucose to enter cells, but consequently causes excess levels of underutilized insulin to remain in the bloodstream. This may stimulate testosterone production within the ovary, creating two to three times more testosterone in the female body than what is considered optimal. Considering that the ovaries account for nearly 25 percent of the testosterone in the female body, excess insulin in the bloodstream can have a significant effect on testosterone levels. An autosomal recessive disease of the adrenal glands, which produce a certain amount of sex hormones. This abnormality can have significant effects on the development of primary and secondary sex characteristics in affected infants, children, or adults.

Rest assured that natural symptom relief from high testosterone levels is possible with lifestyle changes scientifically backed to lower the sex steroid hormone. Women should optimize their diet with omega 3 fatty acids, spearmint tea, lignan-containing foods, and nuts as well as exercise regularly to increase insulin sensitivity. They should also partake in healthy habits of monitoring alcohol consumption and striving to improve gut health. Alternative medicines used to lower testosterone include a mix of vitamin, herbal, and hormone-regulating supplements. Then, a pharmaceutical treatment plan of testosterone-blocking drugs may be instilled if all else fails. Stress can lead to a multitude of negative health effects that can affect female hormone levels.

Adult males typically produce approximately ten times more testosterone than females45. This hormonal disparity plays a key role in the distinct physiological characteristics observed between the sexes, particularly in terms of muscle mass, strength, and metabolic functions46. To ensure the diversity of our study population, we enrolled females of various ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, and professions.

For example, a 2017 study in the Asian Journal of Andrology found that a higher intake of polyunsaturated fats decreased total testosterone what does it do (www.ilpranzoeservito.it) and free (circulating) testosterone levels in healthy males. It may be presumed to have the same effect in females, but more research is needed. Licorice is a fantastic remedy for hormonal imbalances in PCOS because of its anti-androgen abilities. Scientists from the University of Padua, Italy found that Licorice can reduce serum testosterone and could be considered an adjuvant therapy of hirsutism and polycystic ovary syndrome. The other study found that PCOS patients on spironolactone — an anti-androgen pharmaceutical therapy, fare better when an additional dose of 3.5g of licorice a day is given. A study suggested that caffeinated coffee consumption increased total testosterone levels in men; and decaffeinatedi  Coffee in which most of the caffeine has been removed from coffee beans.

These medications are commonly known as anti-androgens or steroidal anti-androgens, and can be used by men, women and those in gender transition. Testosterone is an important hormone but if you suspect something is amiss, not just polycystic ovarian syndrome, you should always consult your physician. Once the normal hormonal balance is restored, ovulation and fertility should return to normal. Any sort of hormone imbalances, either high or low testosterone may cause health issues of varying significance. For more drastic cases, pharmaceuticals may be a woman’s only option to find relief from high testosterone levels.

When thyroid function declines, developing into a condition called hypothyroidism, it subsequently leads to the decreased production of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). This hormone is normally responsible for maintaining healthy levels of sex hormones within the bloodstream. This helps to keep the hormone in check, as it must go under additional metabolic actions to be utilized. However, if the total level of SHBG is reduced, free testosterone levels in the bloodstream rises, possible leading to testosterone-related problems. If polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by raised hormone levels, your doctor may prescribe diabetes medications to help balance your blood sugar and improve insulin sensitivity. Reducing insulin resistance and blood sugar control can help women with PCOS [15]. The symptoms can be frustrating – unwanted facial hair, acne, irregular menstrual cycles, and mood swings.

Dr. Houman says high blood sugar can also cause hormonal imbalances in women, reducing levels of testosterone and estrogen, which also plays a role in sex drive. “Fatigue from uncontrolled diabetes may also reduce interest in sex,” he adds. Estrogen is critical in women’s health, influencing everything from mood and metabolism to reproductive function. An imbalance—whether too high or too low—can lead to numerous health challenges, including irregular periods, fatigue, and weight gain. Fortunately, estrogen balance supplements offer natural support to regulate hormone levels and improve overall well-being. Resistance exercise has been shown to induce acute increases in testosterone levels in both sexes, potentially contributing to improved musculoskeletal adaptations over time46.