While testosterone is predominantly recognized as a male hormone, females also produce a small amount in the ovaries and adrenal glands.

Males and females both produce testosterone, but women secrete testosterone at much lower levels compared to males. A typical testosterone level for women will range from 15-70 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dl) whereas male levels typically range from 280 – 1,100 ng/dl

The symptoms of higher testosterone in females are plenty, one of them being thinning hair/hair loss.

Why does testosterone rise in females?

There are several causes for high testosterone. Most cases relate to an underlying medical condition such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) or Hirsutism.

Signs of high testosterone in women

• Oily skin and/or acne
• Excess facial, chest, back, or other body hair
• Thinning hair on your head
• Irregular periods
• Mood swings
• Enlarged clitoris
• Increased muscle mass
• Reduction in breast size
• Loss of sex drive
• Deepening of voice

How to diagnose high testosterone

There are three ways it can be diagnosed by your doctor. A physical examination where your physician will examine you based on your symptoms, such as body hair, facial hair, excessive hair loss, and acne.  

A blood test to confirm whether these is an increase in testosterone, and an ultrasound to check your ovaries for signs of PCOS

How does high testosterone affect your hair

Around 10% of testosterone produced in the body converts to a more potent form of testosterone called dihydrostestosterone (DHT) thanks to an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase (5-AR). So, if your body produces more testosterone, it means DHT levels would also increase.

DHT does many things, but we will focus on your hair. DHT tends to attach to the hair follicles (under the scalp) to shrink the follicle. As your hair follicle constricts, it produces thinner hair over time and eventually stops growing hair entirely. This causes what we know as female and male pattern baldness, androgenetic alopecia.

What can you do to control the production of testosterone and DHT

In the early stages, a lot of people will opt for natural ways to control the production of testosterone because of the potential side effects linked to over the counter (OTC)/prescription based solutions or they may just not be ready for prescription/non-prescription medication.

If you are looking for a natural-based start to balancing your hormones, here are some options for you:

Topical Ingredients

Several studies have been conducted on various efficacious topical ingredients (ingredients that you can apply to your scalp) these include

• Rosemary: Acts by improving blood circulation and improving vascularity helping the regeneration of follicles similar effect that is shown by minoxidil
• Pumpkin Seed Oil: Shown to inhibit 5-AR which means less testosterone is converted into potent DHT
• Green Tea: EGCG is the main component of green tea that stimulates human hair growth
• Licorice: Presence of glycosides, terpenoid, phenolics, and flavonoids help control the effect of high testosterone

 

 

Our Scalp Elixir contains 11 different oils including rosemary essential oil, pumpkin seed oil and green tea, learn more about this product, learn more about this product

 

Diet-based solutions

• Saw palmetto: A study should that consuming 320 mg/day helped patients with androgenetic alopecia
• Pumpkin seed oil: A study showed that consumption of 400mg/day of pumpkin seed oil over 24 weeks helped patients with androgenetic alopecia
• Mint: One 30-day study in 42 women showed that drinking spearmint herbal tea daily caused a significant decline in testosterone levels
• Soy and soy-based products: Soy foods are also high in phytoestrogens, which are plant-based substances that mimic the effects of estrogen in your body by altering hormone levels and potentially reducing testosterone
• Nuts: One small study in 31 women with polycystic ovary syndrome showed that walnuts and almondsdecreased levels of free testosterone in the body

OTC Solutions

Oral Finasteride for men and Oral Spironolactone for women

Topical Minoxidil (2% or 5%)

Surgical or In-Office Solutions

Platelet-Rich-Plasma (PRP) or a Hair Transplant 

These solutions along with timing are explored further in an article you can read here

Final Word

If you suspect that you might have increased testosterone levels, we recommend going to your physician to confirm. If it is confirmed, you can discuss the solutions you want to explore and go back for a check-in to see how your hormones are responding to the change.

This will ensure that you aren’t experiencing any additional side effects and that you are not over-correcting.

 

References:

Kinter KJ, Anekar AA. Biochemistry, Dihydrotestosterone. [Updated 2022 Mar 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557634/

Ashique S, Sandhu NK, Haque SN, Koley K. A Systemic Review on Topical Marketed Formulations, Natural Products, and Oral Supplements to Prevent Androgenic Alopecia: A Review. Nat Prod Bioprospect. 2020 Dec;10(6):345-365. doi: 10.1007/s13659-020-00267-9. Epub 2020 Oct 4. PMID: 33011954; PMCID: PMC7648777.

Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):186-8. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2900. PMID: 19585478.

 

Jargin SV. Soy and phytoestrogens: possible side effects. Ger Med Sci. 2014 Dec 15;12:Doc18. doi: 10.3205/000203. PMID: 25587246; PMCID: PMC4270274.

 

Kalgaonkar S, Almario RU, Gurusinghe D, Garamendi EM, Buchan W, Kim K, Karakas SE. Differential effects of walnuts vs almonds on improving metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2011 Mar;65(3):386-93. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.266. Epub 2010 Dec 15. PMID: 21157477.