Although the evidence is far from conclusive, healthy polyunsaturated oils, flax seeds, fatty fish, spearmint tea, and a mushroom called red reishi may help lower testosterone in women with PCOS.
Achieving a healthy weight and maintaining it may assist with the management of hormonal imbalance symptoms. If a health care provider recommends it, losing 5–10 percent of your body weight can reduce testosterone levels, improve PCOS symptoms, and even help prevent complications associated with infertility.
Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D has been associated with reducing androgen levels in women with PCOS. A review of six clinical trials with 183 women with PCOS revealed that vitamin D supplementation significantly reduced total testosterone levels.
Low levels of testosterone are most often from decreased production of the hormone but can also be seen with some medical conditions or with some medications, such as some antidepressants, pain medications, hormone medications, and chemotherapy drugs.
There are biological causes for increased testosterone in women. One such cause may be polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition in which the ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal.
Some women with high testosterone levels develop frontal balding. Other possible effects include acne, an enlarged clitoris, increased muscle mass, and deepening of voice. High levels of testosterone can also lead to infertility and are commonly seen in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Vitamin D and testosterone: Not just for men
Scientists have also observed a direct correlation between vitamin D and testosterone in women. In a recent cross-sectional study of women, researchers observed a positive, significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and total testosterone levels.
Symptoms of high testosterone in women include: Irregular or no menstruation. Extra hair growth, especially on the face. Blood sugar imbalance.
Alterations of testosterone levels (higher levels in women) associated with increased BMI might represent one of the possible risk factors in the etiopathogenesis of anxiety.
There have been hundreds of studies showing particular foods have detrimental effects on your testosterone. These include soy, nuts, fish, spearmint tea, red reishi mushrooms, flaxseed, refined carbohydrates, and hormones in meat. To properly combat these effects, it's important that you eat these foods in moderation.
For most men, a higher vitamin D intake will probably not strongly influence the concentration of testosterone, but men with vitamin D deficiency might consider vitamin D supplements to boost the concentration of testosterone in the body and perhaps also fertility.
Zinc reduces androgens (testosterone) and raises it. This depends on what the person needs. If you are a female with PCOS you may need zinc to reduce testosterone, whilst a male low in testosterone will benefit from zinc to bring testosterone back to healthy levels.
Consider taking herbs. White peony, licorice, nettles, spearmint tea, reishi mushroom and others all have research to support testosterone - lowering effects and are commonly used in both PCOS and other cases of elevated testosterone in women.
Nuts are nutritious foods that offer various health benefits. However, certain nuts negatively affect testosterone levels. For example, almonds, pistachios and walnuts lower testosterone levels by elevating sex hormone-binding globulin hormone (SHBG).
The short answer is there isn't a proven link between orgasms and testosterone levels, so we don't know how it affects you in the short term. However, you can take comfort in knowing that masturbating will not negatively affect your testosterone levels—or other aspects of your life—long-term.
Yes, testosterone levels rise during the period
Testosterone is at its highest somewhere mid-way through the cycle, and the jump is there to ensure mental health, fertility, and sex drive.
In clinical trials, magnesium raised both total and free testosterone in average men. Additionally, in a study conducted with athletes found that Magnesium combined with Zinc had even larger testosterone effects.
Having the right levels of B-12 is important for maintaining general health, and in turn, hormonal balance. When your body lacks enough B-12, testosterone levels can drop significantly. Vitamin B-12 also impacts testicular health and sperm quality, as well as energy levels, stamina, and concentration.
The recommended initial dose to treat vitamin D deficiency is 6000 IU (units) daily or 50,000 IU weekly for eight weeks, followed by 1000 IU or 2000 IU daily for maintenance (Holick, 2011). You can meet this intake requirement through diet or by taking a high-dose vitamin D3 supplement called cholecalciferol.
Zinc to Lower Testosterone
It is food in foods like oysters, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, and legumes, but can also be supplemented. Zinc helps to balance testosterone levels and can help with hirsutism, acne, and mood. Additionally Zinc helps to lower testosterone naturally because it improves ovulation regularity.
High testosterone in women may cause unwanted symptoms like excess hair, acne, infertility, weight gain, and more. The condition is often caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).