Symptoms Of High Testosterone In Women
High levels of testosterone in women can result in symptoms that affect their overall health. They are (7), (8):
Excessive facial hair growth Acne Irregular periods Androgenic alopecia – hair loss Acanthosis nigricans – dark skin patches Heightened aggression
If you notice any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor. High testosterone levels can be indicative of an underlying medical condition.
Possible Causes Of High Testosterone Levels In Women
Various hormonal diseases can cause hormonal changes in women. Some of them are:
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Studies suggest that hyperandrogenism or high levels of testosterone is a hallmark symptom of PCOS (9). PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts and irregular periods.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH)
Increased levels of testosterone and progesterone have been associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (10). This is a group of genetic disorders that affect your adrenal glands which secrete hormones such as cortisol and testosterone. People diagnosed with CAH lack one of the enzymes necessary for the regulation of these hormones, which can result in too much testosterone.
Hirsutism
Studies suggest that hirsutism or excessive facial hair in women can cause high levels of testosterone in the body (11). Hirsutism is a condition that results in the growth of coarse, dark hair on a woman’s face, chest, and back. This occurs due to the excessive production of male hormones such as testosterone. While there are several factors involved in the regulation of testosterone, a healthy diet is key in keeping your testosterone levels in check.
Best Food For Lower Testosterone In Women
Here are a few foods that may help lower your testosterone levels:
Soy-based Products
Research suggests that consuming soy products regularly may result in lower levels of testosterone. A study was conducted to see the effect of soy protein on reproductive hormones in men. The results suggested that consuming soy protein for 54 days saw a decrease in testosterone (12). Another study found that soy decreased prostate weight and testosterone levels in rats (13). Even though the results seem promising, more studies on women are warranted to understand the association between soy products and testosterone levels.
Mint
Mint is most popularly used for soothing stomach diseases (14). Studies suggest that mint may cause a dip in your testosterone levels. 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).
Licorice Root
Licorice has been used as a remedy in Chinese medicine for years for its pharmacological properties (17). Recently, studies have indicated that licorice root may essentially influence the hormone levels in the body. A study was conducted to see the effect of licorice on serum testosterone levels in healthy women during their periods. The study showed a significant decrease in serum testosterone levels in the first month itself (18).
Flaxseeds
A few studies suggest that flaxseeds may play a role in the reduction of testosterone levels. A pilot study was conducted on men with prostate cancer who were instructed to go on a low-fat and flaxseed supplemented diet for 34 days. The results indicated a significant decrease in total and serum testosterone levels (19). Another case study conducted on a woman with PCOS reported a decrease in testosterone levels after eating flaxseed supplements for 4 months (20).
Tea
There is some scientific evidence that suggests drinking tea may affect the levels of testosterone levels in your body. A study was conducted to see the effects of spearmint tea on testosterone levels of women diagnosed with PCOS. The participants were asked to drink spearmint tea twice a day for a month’s time in comparison to a placebo herbal tea. After 30 days, the participants showed a significant reduction in the total and free testosterone levels (21).
Fish
Fish is high in omega-3 fatty acids that have been associated with lowering androgen levels in women. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of omega-3 supplements on overweight women with PCOS. The women were administered 3 grams of omega-3 supplements or a placebo for 8 weeks. The results indicated that women administered omega-3 supplements showed lower levels of testosterone than the placebo group (22). While the results are promising, more studies are warranted to understand the association between omega-3 fatty acids and testosterone levels.
To Sum It Up
Testosterone, primarily considered a male hormone, is produced in small amounts in women’s ovaries and adrenal glands. While healthy levels of testosterone are essential for bodily functions, high levels of testosterone have been associated with medical conditions such as PCOS and adrenal hyperplasia. Eating a diet rich in food such as flaxseeds and soy-based products may help lower testosterone in women.
Do bananas reduce testosterone? Possibly not. Anecdotal evidence links banana consumption to higher testosterone levels. However, there is a lack of scientific evidence supporting this claim. Does turmeric lower testosterone? Possibly not. A study on hypertensive rats showed that dietary supplementation with turmeric and ginger significantly increased testosterone levels (26). Does coffee increase testosterone? Possibly, in men. A study suggested that caffeinated coffee consumption increased total testosterone levels in men; and decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee consumption decreased testosterone levels in women (27). Does peanut butter lower testosterone? There is no scientific evidence suggesting that peanut butter consumption may affect your testosterone levels. Does broccoli lower testosterone? Possibly not. A research study on male mice showed that broccoli extracts significantly boosted testosterone levels (28).
