High Testosterone in Women: Causes, Symptoms and What to Do

Testosterone Therapy: What Men Need to Know About Low T and TRT Treatment Los Angeles Times

These tests may be vital if you have PCOS or if your menstruation has stopped due to excessive athletic training or anorexia nervosa. In some cases, an intersex condition could be the cause, wherein the person has chromosomal, hormonal, or physiological sex variations that don’t fit into the typical, binary definition of male or female. In extreme cases, high testosterone levels in women could be an indication of a more severe medical condition where tumors may be present on the ovaries or the adrenal glands. Are there any natural supplements that can help lower testosterone in women? Yes, several natural supplements have shown promise in helping to lower testosterone in women. These include DIM (Diindolylmethane), which supports estrogen metabolism, zinc for hormone balance, and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) for weight management and skin clarity.

The exact mechanism isn’t clear, but there is definitely a correlation between progesterone/estrogen and testosterone. I also want to spend some time on each to help you determine if you actually have these abnormalities because most Doctors tend to gloss over each of them. It’s important to remember that this list is NOT the complete list, it’s just the most common presentations that I have seen in my practice and the most commonly missed diagnoses. In this section, I’m going to go over the most common causes of high testosterone. Unfortunately, many Doctors may tell you that you have high testosterone but rarely ever will they offer any advice on how to lower your levels to help you feel better.

When looking at female testosterone levels, it is important to note that they naturally decrease with age, and finding higher levels than normal may indicate an underlying condition. The following are examples of age ranges and expected testosterone levels. High DHT levels can raise the risk of PCOS-related symptoms such as acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth), and androgenic alopecia (male-pattern baldness). In particular, cold water fish like salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel, trout and herring are good foods to reduce testosterone. Studies have found that Omega-3 supplementation could reduce serum concentrations of testosterone and regulate periods. At Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Iran, scientists put 78 overweight women with PCOS on 3gr/day of omega-3 supplements for 8 weeks.

When attempting to lower your testosterone levels it is critical to know WHY you have high levels, to begin with. Leptin is a hormone secreted by fat cells and it’s supposed to control your appetite, and metabolism and tell your brain to burn fat. ​If you aren’t familiar with leptin please read this article which outlines how long after a testosterone injection to take effect exactly it causes weight loss resistance. ​Exercise helps lower insulin levels by sensitizing your cells to insulin. These patients have been shown to have increased levels of both DHEA and testosterone (3). So when one hormone is imbalanced it will ultimately drag down (or up) other hormones in the body.

Some great sources of omega 3 fatty acids are walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp hearts, and fatty fish such as salmon, trout, herring, and sardines. My goal is to make PCOS less overwhelming for you and easier to manage with simple nutrition tips. I’m a Registered Dietitian dedicated to helping you eliminate your PCOS symptoms with sustainable and realistic nutrition changes. But you can remove the hair by shaving, bleaching, plucking, waxing, or getting laser removal or electrolysis. Although many people with PCOS have overweight or obesity, as many as 20% do not fit into this category. While we chatted through lots of different options, remember that every body is unique and it’s about determine what works best for your body.

Licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which has been shown to reduce testosterone levels. You can consume it as a tea or supplement, but use it cautiously due to potential side effects like high blood pressure. Spironolactone is an anti-androgen medication that blocks the effects of testosterone. It’s often used to treat conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hirsutism. What we do know is that, according to research, the female body is more sensitive to T fluctuations , yet most research on testosterone focuses on male study participants.

Various herbal supplements are acclaimed to lower testosterone and DHT levels in addition to other adrenal androgens in women. These herbs include marjoram, saw palmetto, red clover, and licorice root. Making changes in diet, exercise routines, and habits can bring positive effects to endocrine system health, ultimately balancing testosterone levels and improving overall well-being. Women suffering from high testosterone levels may feel backed up against a wall in terms of how to deal with the hormonal imbalance. With frustrating symptoms and only prescriptions offered as help from the doctors, any sort of solution involving less risky relief may be welcome. Hirsutism is a condition that results in the growth of coarse, dark hair on a woman’s face, chest, and back.

Testosterone is an androgen hormone produced in the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Just like our other reproductive hormones, testosterone aids in the menstrual cycle, bone health, libido, and breast development. Learn more about diabetes, including the types, symptoms, causes, and treatments. Medical experts share how to know whether you have it, what foods to avoid if you do, and how to manage your blood sugar levels. Obesity, lack of sleep, stress, and poor nutrition can all tank testosterone levels. Regular exercise, weight loss, clean eating, and managing sleep hygiene can go a long way in restoring natural production or enhancing the benefits of TRT if you’re on it.

Moreover, testosterone influences mood regulation, cognitive function, and bone density, contributing to psychological and skeletal health7,8. In females, while estrogen and progesterone are primary sex hormones, testosterone contributes to libido, energy levels, and overall vitality9. Thus, maintaining an optimal testosterone balance is crucial for sustaining physiological equilibrium and promoting general well-being. Maintaining an optimal testosterone balance is vital for muscle health, metabolic function, sexual health, mood regulation, and overall quality of life in both men and women10,11. Since a healthy diet is one of the best ways to treat and manage this endocrine disorder, why not give your PCOS diet an extra punch of natural foods that have anti-androgen abilities to lower testosterone! Let’s take a look at the top 8 foods that reduce testosterone naturally.

Unlike with estrogen, for which blood levels are rarely required, testosterone therapy requires being tested to make sure yours is in the right range. A study was conducted to see the effect of spearmint tea on women with PCOS. After 30 days, the researchers found that there was a significant decline in total testosterone levels (15). Similarly, in an animal study, administering spearmint tea for 20 days showed a decrease in testosterone levels and body weight in rats with PCOS (16). Research suggests that consuming soy products regularly may result in lower levels of testosterone.