10 Natural Anti-Androgen Supplements for Women
Testosterone and DHEA are both androgen hormones. Testosterone is produced from the ovaries and DHEA from the adrenal glands. High androgen levels are a common indicator of polycystic ovarian syndrome, (PCOS).
Androgen hormones are hormones that are dominant in males and associated with more male-like traits, though androgens are also in females, just not as high.
Elevated levels can be due to blood sugar imbalances which cause a surge of insulin in the blood which will signal the ovaries to produce more testosterone.
Additionally, high androgen levels can come from stress which will cause more DHEA to be produced which can combine with testosterone to make DHT which causes hair loss, oily skin, and acne.
Your androgens are metabolized (or broken down) by utilizing either the 5 alpha or 5 beta pathways. If you are favoring the 5 alpha pathway it is up to three times more androgenic, meaning: more symptomatic. This pathway can be favored due to stress, inflammation, or insulin resistance.
Even if you don’t have elevated androgens levels, you could still experience symptoms due to how you are metabolizing androgens in your body.
Symptoms of elevated androgen levels include:
irregular periods
long menstrual cycles (longer than 35 days)
acne
hair loss
hirsutism (unwanted hair growth)
oily skin
irritability
depression
mood swings
difficulty losing weight
infertility
NUTRIENTS & HERBS TO EASE POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME NATURALLY
You may be wondering: “are there any supplements that can help to lower elevated androgen levels?”
The good news is YES - there are anti-androgen supplements that can help to balance androgens like testosterone and HEA.
This important question we need to be asking is: why is my testosterone or DHEA high in the first place?
This is taking a root cause approach when it comes to understanding our health and hormones. When we answer this question, we are understanding what is driving the imbalance (which is showing up as symptoms in the body).
By addressing the root cause, not simply just the symptom (or the hormone imbalance for that matter), we can find long-term, sustained healing.
So what IS the root main cause of high testosterone levels? Insulin resistance & blood sugar imbalances!
What about DHEA? Stress!
This is why blood sugar balance and managing stress are key foundations for supporting healthy androgen levels (remember: we can’t simply out-supplement a poor foundation)!
I’m here to help you have better periods, symptomless cycles, and optimize fertility (whether that’s now or in the future) all through simple nutrition and lifestyle shifts that feel simple, doable, and empowering (not overwhelming).
PRIVATE COACHING FOR BETTER PERIODS, SYMPTOMLESS CYCLES, & OPTIMAL FERTILITY
As always, I’m giving away my best hormone tips here, answering your burning questions, and letting you in on the what the science says.
This is the kind of insider info I share with all of my 1:1 coaching clients and students in my signature course, Heal Your Period.
I’m so passionate about sharing this info with anyone on a hormone healing journey, so I’m letting you in with all the info here!
So, let’s dive in into it!
PCOS ARTICLES
I have so many PCOS resources that it would be impossible to pack it all into this one article!
There is so much noise and confusion around nutrition and lifestyle shifts to manage PCOS with clarity and ease, which is why I’m so passionate about getting this info into your hands!
Click to view all of my PCOS articles
Work with Krista - explore how I can help you heal your period, say goodbye to hormone symptoms, and support your fertility with private 1:1 coaching or at-home hormone testing!
Are there natural anti-androgen supplements?
Certain supplements may be helpful if you have elevated androgen levels. Here are 10 natural anti-androgen supplements:
*Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning supplements
1. Reishi
Red reishi is a mushroom, or adaptogen, that helps the body adapt to stress. It has also been shown to be one of the natural anti-androgen supplements, meaning it can help to lower androgens like testosterone, making it a great herb for maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. A study looking at the anti-androgenic effects of 19 mushrooms, found that reishi mushrooms had the strongest effect inhibiting testosterone. Red reishi has been shown to reduce an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase, which aids in the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High DHT levels are associated with acne and hair loss.
Source: 16029938
2. Spearmint
Spearmint tea is a great herb that is another anti-androgen supplement for those dealing with elevated testosterone levels and associated symptoms like hirsutism, or unwanted hair growth on the face or body. Studies show that spearmint tea helps to decrease free testosterone levels and increase luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone, and estradiol in those with PCOS. Due to spearmint tea’s ability to inhibit testosterone, it can help to restore follicular development in the ovarian tissue and promote ovulation. If you struggle with elevated testosterone, hirsutism, or trouble ovulating spearmint tea can be one of the beneficial natural anti-androgen supplements.
3. Saw Palmetto
Native to the eastern regions of the US, saw palmetto is another plant that is one of the natural anti-androgen supplements. A study found that saw palmetto is a great natural remedy to reduce testosterone by inhibiting the 5 alpha-reductase pathway.
Source: 27272436
4. Licorice
Licorice root tea is another effective herbal tea that is one of the natural anti-androgen supplements. A small study of nine women age 22-26 found a reduction in serum testosterone levels after daily licorice intake for two cycles. Testosterone levels returned to pre-treatment levels when discontinued. Licorice can also help if you have low blood pressure or low cortisol levels. Do not consume more than one cup of licorice tea per day due to the risk of elevated blood pressure.
Source: 15579328
5. White Peony
Another one of the natural anti-androgen supplements is white peony tea. It contains a constituent called paeoniflorin, which has been shown to reduce serum testosterone levels. It promotes the aromatization (or conversion) of testosterone into estrogen. TJ-68 is a traditional Chinese formula containing a combination of equal parts white peony and licorice. In a trial of 34 women with PCOS this combination significantly reduced serum testosterone levels. In a trial of 8 women with elevated androgen, a similar effect was observed. Pairing white peony and licorice makes one of the great natural anti-androgen supplements for PCOS to help boost ovulation due to the testosterone lowering effects.
Source: 25524718, 1897494, 8012442, 7108310
6. Nettle
Nettle, or is also known as stinging nettle or urtica dioica and originates in all parts of the world, though you may have never heard of it. Nettle has anti-inflammatory, testosterone lowering, and blood sugar-lowering effects. A study on 40 women with elevated androgen levels found a significant decrease in total testosterone and free testosterone levels. Due to its testosterone lowering effect nettle can help with symptoms associated with elevated androgens like hair loss, acne, and hirsutism. This is why nettle is one of the natural anti-androgen supplements.
7. Green Tea
Another one of the natural anti-androgen supplements is green tea. It is found that green tea has properties in it to modulate the production and action of many androgens in the body to assist in reducing hair loss, hyperplasia, and acne. This mechanism is due to the catechins in green tea, which are antioxidants.
Source: 11773671
8. Zinc
Zinc is a mineral found in food that functions to grow and repair body tissues, supports the immune system, and helps many of the reactions that occur in the body. As one of the natural anti-androgen supplements, zinc helps to balance testosterone levels and can help with hirsutism, acne, and mood.
Source: 26315303
9. NAC
N-acetyl cysteine, or NAC, is needed to make your body’s most powerful antioxidant: glutathione. It is another one of the natural anti-androgen supplements for lowering testosterone as it helps to improve the body’s insulin response and helps to protect egg quality. It has also been shown to improve ovulation and pregnancy rates for those with PCOS.
Source: 22540635
10. Tribulus
Tribulus also called puncture vein is a plant grown in only specific climates with high temp. The plant has been found to be one of the natural anti-androgen supplements because it identified anti-androgen properties. These properties were identified to regulate ovarian follicle growth and also normalize the menstrual cycle.
Source: 25919204
FINAL THOUGHTS
There are several anti-androgen supplements to balance androgen levels.
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.
Always make sure to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any herbs or supplements to ensure they are not interacting with any medications you are taking or any existing conditions you may have.
Remember: simple shifts build to make a big impact over time!
Healthy androgen levels are possible for you.
-Krista
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Krista King, MS, RDN, LDN, IFNCP
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