I often get complaints from women about excessive hair growth. In general, hair growth in women is related to a bit more testosterone in their systems than they might want. While the hormone is at least in part responsible for scalp hair loss in men, it fuels the growth of body hair. I have not known too many women in this country who want body hair.
Women with polycystic ovaries have a higher risk of excessive hair growth. That is because the ovarian problem leads to excessive testosterone production or other androgens (male hormones). Whatever the cause, theres a simple way to treat the problem.
A small study on 21 women with hirsutism (excessive hair growth) included 12 with polycystic ovaries. The researchers gave the women spearmint tea twice daily (two to five cups) for five days during the early phase of their menstrual cycle. At the end of five days, they had a significant decrease in free testosterone. At the same time, they had increases in the hormones LH, FSH, and estradiol. The researchers did not find changes in total testosterone or another androgen called dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate.
The authors concluded that spearmint could be an alternative to chemical antiandrogenic treatment for mild hirsutism.
This is brand new information. Based on this very small population, spearmint might assist women who have an androgen excess and help restore their desired estrogen/free testosterone balance. It is free testosterone that is the active form of the hormone. If you have excessive hair growth, with or without polycystic ovaries, spearmint tea might be a refreshing and therapeutic drink to try. I do not know of any downside. Please let me know of your results.
Ref: Akdogan M., M.N. Tamer, et al. Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism, Phytother Res, February 20, 2007.