Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Lowering testosterone levels with medication
• Part 2 of 2: Lowering testosterone levels through a modified diet
• Tips
• Warnings

Although testosterone is seen as a male hormone, it is indeed present (in smaller amounts) in the female body. 6-10% of healthy, fertile women are thought to produce too much testosterone in the ovaries, often leading to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome. Too much testosterone in women can also lead to infertility due to failure to ovulate, and to embarrassing symptoms such as acne, a deep voice and facial hair growth. Lowering the testosterone level in women is often achieved with medication, although dietary adjustments can also have a significant impact.

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Part 1 of 2: Lowering testosterone levels with medication

1. Consult your doctor. Make an appointment with your doctor if you feel that something is wrong with your hormones. A blood test can show a hormone imbalance. The classic signs of too much estrogen are hot flashes and mood swings, but the symptoms caused by too much testosterone are often less noticeable and tend to develop more slowly. Genes and unknown environmental factors can cause certain glands (in the ovaries, pituitary and adrenal glands) to malfunction, causing them to produce too much testosterone.
   • Polycystic ovary syndrome (POS) is usually the result of excess testosterone production in women - it can develop at any time from puberty.
   • POS occurs when testosterone does not release eggs from their follicles within the ovaries. Because the follicles do not open, the eggs and fluid remain in the ovaries, causing many cysts to form.
   • In addition to the absence of menstruation and POS, other symptoms of excess testosterone production include hair growth, increased aggression, increased libido, increased muscle mass, an enlarged clitoris, acne, a heavy voice and darkening or thickening of the skin.
2. Control diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is characterized by a reduced sensitivity of the cells to the effects of insulin. Often, type 2 diabetes is caused by obesity and results in an overproduction of insulin, which can cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone. As a result, obesity, type 2 diabetes (insulin resistance), excess testosterone production, and POS often develop simultaneously in women if not addressed in time. Your doctor can test your insulin and blood glucose levels to see if you are at risk of developing diabetes.
   • Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and even reduced by losing weight, exercising regularly and making dietary adjustments (such as fewer processed carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats).
   • Your doctor can also prescribe medications that reduce insulin resistance, such as metformin or pioglitazone. These drugs normalize insulin and testosterone levels, restoring the normal menstrual cycle.
   • When high insulin levels are accompanied by high testosterone levels, there is an increased risk of high blood pressure, too much bad cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
3. Talk to your doctor about the contraceptive pill. If POS has developed due to chronically high testosterone levels, there is an increased risk of uterine cancer once the menstrual cycle has stopped (due to menopause). Therefore, it is important to restart the normal menstrual cycle to reduce the risk of cancer. This can be easily achieved by taking progesterone pills or by taking a birth control pill containing estrogen and progesterone. Keep in mind that this will prevent you from becoming fertile (you cannot get pregnant).
   • If you have POS, the benefits of the birth control pill are clear, but ask your doctor to tell you about any side effects, such as decreased libido, mood swings, weight gain, headaches, breast pain, and nausea.
   • It usually takes up to 6 months for women to notice changes in symptoms related to high testosterone levels, such as less facial hair (especially on the upper lip) and acne.
4. Consider taking anti-androgenic drugs. Another option for women who have a chronically high testosterone level, especially if they don't have diabetes and would rather not take the pill, are drugs with an anti-androgenic effect. Androgens are a group of interconnected hormones, including testosterone, that are responsible for developing masculine characteristics. Commonly prescribed anti-androgens include spironolactone, leuprolide, goserelin and abarelix. The doctor may advise you to experiment with a low dose of one of these medications for six months in order to determine the effectiveness and compare it with the possible side effects.
   • Medicines with an anti-androgenic effect are also used by transsexuals who need to lower testosterone levels, especially in preparation for sex reassignment surgery.
   • Other diseases and conditions that can lead to increased testosterone levels in women include ovarian cancer, Cushing's disease and adrenal cancer.
   • In healthy women, the ovaries and adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) produce about 50% of the testosterone.

Part 2 of 2: Lowering testosterone levels through a modified diet

1. Eat more soy products. Soybeans are high in phytoestrogen, also known as isoflavones (especially genistein and glycitein). These compounds mimic the effect of estrogen in the body, reducing testosterone production. Soy also contains daidzein, which is converted by some people in the colon (requires certain "good" bacteria) into a highly anti-androgenic compound called equol. Equol can directly reduce the production or effect of testosterone.
   • Soy products are very versatile, there is soy in tofu, soy milk, energy bars, bread and meat substitutes (such as vegetable burgers and the like).
   • Because of their effect on hormones, soy products are especially beneficial for women, although they can also have side effects - digestive problems, allergies and an increased risk of breast cancer in certain cases.
   • Excessive consumption of soy products can disrupt thyroid function (which is not good), which also means that less testosterone is produced.
2. Eat more flax seeds. Flaxseed is full of omega3 fatty acids (which has an anti-inflammatory effect) and lignans, which in turn contain a lot of estrogen (it stimulates estrogen production). Lignans can also lower testosterone levels in your body and suppress the conversion of testosterone into the more powerful dihydrotestosterone. Linseed must first be ground in order to digest it better. Sprinkle some flaxseed over your cereal and / or the yogurt. You can also buy whole grain bread with flaxseeds.
   • Lignans increase the concentration of SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin), rendering testosterone molecules inactive as they bind to androgen receptors in the body.
   • Linseed contains the most lignans of all foods, followed by sesame seeds.
3. Eat less fat. Testosterone is a steroid hormone, which requires cholesterol to be produced. Cholesterol is in saturated animal fat (meat, cheese, butter, etc.) A little cholesterol is needed to make steroid hormones and just about all of the body's cell membranes, but eating too much saturated fat will give you too much testosterone . In addition, you also get testosterone from food that contains a lot of monounsaturated fat (avocado, nuts, olive oil, canola oil). Polyunsaturated fat is the only fat that can lower testosterone levels.
   • Most vegetable oil (corn oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil) is rich in omega6, although you can develop other health problems if you take a lot of this to lower your testosterone levels, so be careful.
   • Healthier forms of polyunsaturated fat (omega3) are, for example, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, herring), linseed, walnuts and sunflower seeds.
   • If you eat a lot of saturated fat, you also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, although omega6 does not seem to be much better for your heart. A balance in natural fats is most important, while you should leave hardened fats.
4. Avoid refined carbohydrates. Refined carbohydrates are full of sugars (glucose) that cause your insulin levels to spike, causing your ovaries to produce more testosterone - just like with type 2 diabetes, although the effects are short-term rather than long-term. Try to avoid refined carbohydrates (like anything with fructose and corn syrup), and choose healthy carbohydrates like whole grains, fresh berries and citrus fruits, fiber-rich vegetables, leafy greens, and legumes.
   • Products with a lot of refined sugars that you should avoid or moderate are, for example, candies, cookies, cakes, ice cream, chocolate, soft drinks and other drinks with sugar.
   • A diet high in refined sugars also leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and type 2 diabetes.
5. Consider herbal remedies. There are several herbs that can have an anti-androgenic effect (based on different animal studies), but the direct effect on testosterone levels in women has not yet been investigated. Herbs known for their anti-androgenic effect include saw palmetto, monk's pepper, black cohosh, licorice root, peppermint and lavender. Always consult your doctor before using herbal remedies that have a reputation for influencing hormones.
   • Take no herbal remedies if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you want to get pregnant in the near future.
   • Women who have had cancer (breast cancer, uterine cancer or ovarian cancer), or who have other hormonal problems, should only use herbal remedies under the guidance of a doctor.

Tips

• Women only have 1/10 the amount of testosterone that men have, but as women get older, testosterone levels can rise significantly.
• Not all side effects of increased testosterone levels are always undesirable - more muscle mass and greater libido, for example.
• To deal better with facial hair, consider epilation or laser treatment.
• Vegetarians often have less testosterone in the body, while people who eat a lot of saturated or monounsaturated fats tend to have more testosterone.
• Cardio weight loss training is a very good idea, but think carefully before strength training - it tends to increase testosterone production in both men and women.

Warnings

• If you think there is a hormonal imbalance, it is wise to go to the doctor. You can choose to adjust your diet, but if you don't know the cause, you can make the condition worse.