How To Reduce Androgens in Females: A Complete Overview
The male hormone androgen is produced in small amounts in the female body to perform crucial bodily functions. Learn how elevation in androgen levels can affect one’s health.
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Last updated on 3rd Jul, 2025
Pofessional guidance from healthcare providers specialising in hormonal health. With appropriate interventions as per individual needs, achieving a healthier hormonal balance and improving overall quality of life is possible.
Health topic carousel:Androgen is a male hormone like testosterone and DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate). However, these are also produced in female bodies in small quantities to regulate bone density, estrogen synthesis, and other bodily functions related to female reproductive health. A balanced androgen level is necessary for females, but a higher or lower level of this hormone can be risky.
An increase in androgen levels in females is often linked to underlying health conditions, which may lead to additional complications. Keep reading to learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for elevated androgen levels in the female body.
Causes of Elevated Androgens
These are the causes of high androgen levels in females:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Females mostly get high androgen levels due to PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). It is also related to gut dysbiosis, which can affect one's pregnancy. LH (Luteinising Hormone) production is stimulated with an increase in the androgen level, affecting the growth of follicles inside one’s ovaries. This can also hamper the egg quality as eggs grow inside a female’s follicles.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia
CAH (Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia) refers to a group of genetic faults that affect an individual's adrenal glands. In this condition, genetic changes occur that reduce the production of 21-hydroxylase enzymes. These enzymes help one's body to stimulate the necessary hormones adequately. The shortage of these enzymes can cause the adrenal gland to overproduce testosterone or other hormones, increasing androgens as well.
Tumours that Secrete Androgen
Ovarian tumours, testicular tumours, or certain adrenal tumours can release androgens, increasing their overall secretion in the entire body.
Cushing Disease
Excessive cortisol hormone in one’s body leads to an uncommon syndrome called Cushing syndrome. It can cause Cushing disease in individuals. Any benign tumour in the pituitary gland produces excessive ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone). This increases the cortisol level and makes the adrenal glands overproduce androgens.
Specific Medications
Medicines like synthetic progestins, anabolic-androgenic steroids, antiepileptics, etc., can lead to increased androgen levels in one's body.
Symptoms of High Androgens in Females
Here are some of the symptoms that help identify high androgen levels in a female:
Oily skin
Amenorrhea (low or no presence of menstrual periods)
Reduced breast size
Acne
Hirsutism (body hair increasing in male pattern such as on abdomen, face, and chin)
Body shape changes in a female
Some other symptoms of excessive androgen can also include:
Voice deepening
Hair loss or thinning on the sides of the head or scalp
Clitoris size increase
Muscle mass increases, etc.
Diagnostic Approaches for Androgen Levels
The healthcare provider may order the following list of tests to diagnose the androgen levels in one’s body:
Glucose test
Cholesterol blood test
DHEA blood test
CT scan
Insulin test
Testosterone test
Pelvic ultrasound
Prolactin test for irregular or missed period
ACTH stimulation, which is usually uncommon
17-hydroxyprogesterone test, etc.
Lifestyle Modifications to Lower Androgens
Androgen levels can be lowered by making some changes in one's lifestyle habits, such as including certain foods, adopting regular exercise, etc. Here are the lifestyle modifications that can control androgen levels in females:
Food Habits
Foods rich in good fats and omega-3 fatty acids help reduce androgen levels and PCOS. Salmon, nuts, flaxseeds, etc., contain good fats, while chia seeds, canola oil, tuna, and avocado are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Vitamin D
This sunshine vitamin is known for lowering testosterone levels in women. Sunlight is a good source of vitamin D, but considering the harmful effects of UV rays, it is not advisable to get it directly from the sun. Foods like egg yolks, milk, fortified orange juice, etc., are the dietary sources of Vitamin D.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies are very effective in treating any health-related problems in women. One such remedy is spearmint tea. It can reduce the symptoms of increasing androgen levels in females, such as excessive facial hair growth.
Herbs like liquorice also help lower testosterone levels and improve hirsutism in females suffering from PCOS. One can intake tea containing liquorice or look for supplements. However, one must take professional advice before starting any herbal remedy.
Regular Physical Exercise
Regular physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and can lower androgen levels. Both aerobic exercises and strength training are beneficial for hormonal balance. Additionally, strength training changes a person’s body composition which can reduce the androgen levels in a female body.
One should opt for strength training twice or thrice a week with one or two days rest between the sessions. It helps the body adapt to required changes to lower androgen levels. A load of 70% to 85% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) should be applied to all of a person’s major muscle groups.
One can opt for expert advice in case they are not sure from where to start a strength training.
Spearmint Tea
Natural compounds like spearmint tea have anti-androgen properties. It can reduce issues like PCOs when consumed twice a day for one month.
Consult Top Urology
Medical Treatments for Reducing Androgens
High androgen levels can be treated with the following antiandrogen drugs, but if someone has started birth-control pills for PCOS, these drugs should be initiated after 6 months:
Finasteride
It helps treat hirsutism and hair loss but comes with some side effects, such as depression, libido, low blood pressure, etc.
Spironolactone
It is also used to treat hirsutism, hair loss, and acne. However, considering the side effects, this medicine is not advisable for pregnant women. One should monitor their sodium and potassium levels and blood pressure to check for the side effects of the drugs.
Cyproterone Acetate
This drug can also help reduce the androgen level in a female body, but it has not been a better choice than birth control pills in treating hirsutism.
Additionally, medications like metformin, which improves insulin sensitivity, are used to help lower androgen levels. This drug also helps improve hirsutism, menstrual patterns, and body fat distribution in females having PCOS. It is also safe for pregnant women or those trying to conceive.
Role of Natural Remedies in Reducing Androgen Levels
7.1 Herbal Supplements
7.2 Mind-Body Techniques
Potential Risks and Side Effects of Higher Androgen Levels
One of the major complications of higher androgens in a female's body is infertility. Some may also face complications during pregnancy. Apart from that, higher androgens level increases the risk of the following diseases for those who are suffering from PCOS:
High cholesterol
Uterine cancer
Obesity
Diabetes
High blood pressure
If not treated on time, higher androgen levels can cause the following side effects:
Cardiovascular issues
Affects fat distribution in a female's body
Makes the body resistant to insulin
Pregnancy issues, etc.
Importance of Regular Monitoring of One’s Androgen Levels
It is essential to monitor one's androgen levels regularly to check if the medication or hormone therapy is working or not. Individuals should visit their healthcare providers for routine check-ups and get the necessary tests done to follow up on the androgen levels in their bodies.
Conclusion
Managing elevated androgen levels in females involves a multifaceted approach. It includes understanding the underlying causes, recognising symptoms, making lifestyle changes, considering medical treatments, and utilising natural remedies.
Women experiencing symptoms related to high androgen levels should seek pr
Consult Top Urologiy
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Dr. Abhinav Gupta
Neurologist
18 Years • MBBS, MD (GENERAL MEDICINE), DM (NEUROLOGY)
Ghaziabad
Bhava Neurocenter, Ghaziabad
Dr. Annakula Ramu
Neurologist
7 Years • MBBS, MD General Medicine, DM Neurology
Jagtial
Sairam Neuro and Children Hospital, Jagtial
Dr Rajashekar Mummadi
Neurologist
3 Years • MBBS, DNB General Medicine, DRNB Neurology
Hyderabad
Dr Ram's Neuro Clinic, Hyderabad
Dr. Uddalak Chakraborty
Neurologist
8 Years • MBBS, MD(GENL.MED.),DM(NEUROLOGY)
Kolkata
MCR SUPER SPECIALITY POLY CLINIC & PATHOLOGY, Kolkata
Dr Chandu Samba Siva Rao
Neurologist
7 Years • MBBS, MD GENERAL MEDICINE, DM NEUROLOGY
Vijayawada
Chandu Neuro Center, Vijayawada
Consult Top Urology
Dr. Abhinav Gupta
Neurologist
18 Years • MBBS, MD (GENERAL MEDICINE), DM (NEUROLOGY)
Ghaziabad
Bhava Neurocenter, Ghaziabad
Dr. Annakula Ramu
Neurologist
7 Years • MBBS, MD General Medicine, DM Neurology
Jagtial
Sairam Neuro and Children Hospital, Jagtial
Dr Rajashekar Mummadi
Neurologist
3 Years • MBBS, DNB General Medicine, DRNB Neurology
Hyderabad
Dr Ram's Neuro Clinic, Hyderabad
Dr. Uddalak Chakraborty
Neurologist
8 Years • MBBS, MD(GENL.MED.),DM(NEUROLOGY)
Kolkata
MCR SUPER SPECIALITY POLY CLINIC & PATHOLOGY, Kolkata
Dr Chandu Samba Siva Rao
Neurologist
7 Years • MBBS, MD GENERAL MEDICINE, DM NEUROLOGY
Vijayawada
Chandu Neuro Center, Vijayawada
