Hormonal health

Spearmint Tea and Androgens: What Studies Show

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Spearmint tea has a small, real signal against androgens but is not a proven fix for excess hair. A few small studies found modestly lower androgen readings after several weeks, yet none clearly reduced visible hair. For PCOS, lifestyle and first-line medicines work far better; spearmint is a low-risk extra.

Last updated: July 2026

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What is spearmint tea supposed to do?

Spearmint tea is thought to have a mild anti-androgen effect, which is why it draws attention for excess hair and PCOS. The idea is that compounds in spearmint may nudge androgen levels down a little, and since excess hair in women is driven by androgens, even a small shift sounds appealing. Excess coarse hair affects roughly 1 in 10 women, and polycystic ovary syndrome — the most common cause — affects an estimated 6 to 12 percent of women of reproductive age, according to the Office on Women's Health 2. The Endocrine Society guideline frames androgens as the engine behind this hair growth 1. That biology is why a gentle androgen-lowering drink became such a popular home remedy.

What do the spearmint studies actually show?

A small number of randomized trials in women with excess hair have tested spearmint tea, and the honest summary is real but limited. Some of these studies reported modestly lower measured androgen levels after participants drank spearmint tea twice a day for several weeks. The trials were small and short, however, and they did not clearly show that facial or body hair visibly decreased — a reminder that a change on a lab panel is not the same as a change in the mirror. Major guidelines reflect this uncertainty: the 2023 International PCOS guideline concludes that the evidence for herbal and complementary approaches is not strong enough to recommend them as treatments 3. The signal is genuine but modest.

How big is the effect, really?

The effect size in the spearmint studies was small, and it has not been shown to shrink actual hair growth. Put simply, drinking spearmint tea is unlikely to match what established treatments achieve. The Endocrine Society guideline notes that hair responds slowly, and that any hirsutism treatment needs at least 6 months of consistent use before its effect can be judged fairly 1. Proven first-line options — combined hormonal contraceptives, which the ACOG practice bulletin describes for hyperandrogenism, and an androgen-lowering medicine like spironolactone — work through the same androgen pathway but far more powerfully 4. Against that backdrop, spearmint is a gentle nudge, not a lever.

What can spearmint tea not replace?

Spearmint tea cannot replace an evaluation, and that is its most important limit. Excess hair is occasionally the first clue to something that needs attention, and serious sources such as androgen-secreting tumors — though rare, under 1 in 100 women with excess hair — are found through testing, not tea 1. For PCOS, the 2023 International guideline puts lifestyle changes for PCOS and, where relevant, attention to insulin resistance ahead of any supplement 3. The Endocrine Society PCOS guideline similarly centers proven medicines for hyperandrogenism 5. Spearmint may be a pleasant, low-risk addition for someone who enjoys it, but it works best beside a real plan, not in place of one.

When excess hair growth needs a clinician

A clinician can tell whether your excess hair is a cosmetic annoyance or a sign worth testing, and can match a treatment to the cause rather than to a trend. A short visit usually covers your cycle pattern, how fast the hair appeared, and whether getting PCOS diagnosed makes sense, then weighs options from removal methods to medication. There is no harm in enjoying spearmint tea while you sort this out, but it is not a reason to postpone care if the hair is spreading or arriving with other changes. A simple plan you actually follow tends to beat any single remedy tried on its own. Gale can help you organize your questions before that appointment.

Common questions

A small number of studies suggest it may modestly lower measured androgen levels in women with excess hair, but the trials were small and short. Importantly, they did not clearly show that facial or body hair visibly decreased, so any effect appears to be gentle rather than a substitute for proven treatment.

The small studies that reported an effect used spearmint tea a couple of times a day for several weeks. Because the evidence is limited and not standardized, there is no established amount that reliably changes hair growth, and drinking large quantities has not been shown to add benefit.

No. For PCOS or other androgen excess, lifestyle changes and first-line treatments such as combined hormonal contraceptives or androgen-lowering medicines have far stronger evidence. Spearmint tea may be a low-risk addition for someone who enjoys it, but it is not a stand-in for evaluation and proven care.

For most people, ordinary amounts of spearmint tea are low risk. As with any remedy, it is worth mentioning to a clinician, especially during pregnancy or while managing a medical condition, so it can be weighed against your full picture rather than relied on alone.

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When excess hair needs more than tea

  • —Excess hair growing quickly or spreading in a male pattern is a reason to seek clinician review
  • —Unwanted hair with irregular periods, acne, or trouble conceiving is a reason to seek clinician review
  • —Rapid masculinizing changes such as a deepening voice are a reason to seek prompt clinician review
  • —New or worsening symptoms while relying on a supplement or tea alone are a reason to seek clinician review

This article is general health education, not medical advice. Herbal options and prescription treatments for androgen excess are best weighed with a primary care clinician or gynecologist.

References

  1. 1.Martin KA, et al. (Endocrine Society) (2018). Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. doi:10.1210/jc.2018-00241 ✓Endocrine Society hirsutism guideline: androgens drive excess hair (which affects roughly 1 in 10 women), any hirsutism treatment needs at least 6 months to judge, and androgen-secreting tumors are a rare (well under 1 percent) cause found through testing.
  2. 2.Office on Women's Health (U.S. HHS) (2025). Polycystic ovary syndrome. Office on Women's Health (womenshealth.gov), U.S. HHS. link ✓Office on Women's Health: PCOS, affecting an estimated 6 to 12 percent of reproductive-age women, is the most common cause of androgen-driven excess hair.
  3. 3.Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven J, et al. (International PCOS guideline consortium) (2023). Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad463 ✓2023 International evidence-based PCOS guideline: evidence for herbal and complementary therapies is insufficient to recommend them, and lifestyle change is a first-line management step.
  4. 4.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2018). ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 194: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Obstetrics & Gynecology. doi:10.1097/AOG.0000000000002656 ✓ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 194: combined hormonal contraceptives are a first-line option for managing hyperandrogenism and hirsutism in PCOS.
  5. 5.Legro RS, et al. (Endocrine Society) (2013). Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: an Endocrine Society clinical practice guideline. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. doi:10.1210/jc.2013-2350 ✓Endocrine Society PCOS guideline: supports pharmacologic androgen-lowering treatment for hyperandrogenic symptoms.

5 sources, numbered by first appearance. General health information, not medical advice. AI-assisted editorial content — every citation independently verified. Editorial policy

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