Natural ways to balance hormones

[Stansmith01]

I have PCOS and have high testosterone levels.
I've made big lifestyle changes such as going low carb (the carbs I do eat are always low gi), eating NO refined sugars (on average I eat around 10-15g sugar from "natural" sources daily), drinking spearmint tea, lots of omega 3 healthy fats (also take a supplement), maca, no conventional meat or dairy, plus fermented foods and veggies.

Yet my symptoms only seem to be getting worse and I feel so down. I've never been overweight in fact quite the opposite I'm borderline underweight/healthy (I eat at least 2000 cals so not malnourished). My periods are regular too thankfully. However, I've been battling acne and hirsutism for so long now. The hirsutism is hard to cope with, I've never seen someone as hairy as me - I feel so masculine and have lost all of my confidence. I've been getting electrolysis but the people who offer electrolysis locally only do 30 min sessions so I still have a long way till I'll be hair free.
I know drugs are an option but I don't want to feel dependent, also they often come with side effects. I've been researching online and many people claim changing your diet can be very effective but I'm only getting hairier.
Does anyone know of any tips that helped them to lower their testosterone

[MajorClanger123]

I've just read The Hormone Cure by Dr Sara Gottfried, excellent book that has a large questionnaire at the start to help determine which hormones you're out of whack on (she focuses on oestrogen / progesterone / testosterone / cortisol), then once you understand that part, you flip to the relevant chapters and she has lots of advice / natural remedies for dealing with particular hormone imbalances. Currently on Amazon around £15, but well worth the investment in my opinion.

[PollyPerky]

In all honesty this theory that we can 'balance our hormones' is bollocks. Hormones are controlled by a range of factors over which diet has no influence. There is nothing you can eat or not eat that will affect your levels of progesterone, estrogen or testosterone. You can make your health optimal by eating well- sounds as if you do that already- and avoid blood sugar highs/ lows when pre-menstrual by ditching sugar and refined carbs. But that's about it. I think you should spend your money seeing a good gynae who can help you.

[NennyNooNoo]

Have you looked into Angus Castus? In Germany this is sometimes prescribed to help regulate irregular cycles. Might be worth looking into. I had very long cycles and irregular periods from when I started and throughout my 20s. When I started TTC, I tried this and it shortened my cycles quite considerably (from 2-3 months with large variation to a fairly regular 5 weeks). I only took it (one tablet per day, can't remember the dosage) for the first 2 weeks of the cycle. You can buy it OTC in Holland and Barrett.

[NennyNooNoo]

AGnus, not Angus!

[NennyNooNoo]

Ps I have no idea whether this would regulate testosterone, but simply that it helps to regulate female hormones in general. Might be worth a look though.

[SaltyMyDear]

Go see a really good nutritionist. If you're in London message me and I can recommend someone.

I'm working on a similar problem with my nutritionist and making good progress.

But first had to get lots of blood tests etc done so she could find out exactly what was going on.

[CarabellaSmella]

Acupuncture? I started going to sort my hormones after a miscarriage and I feel it helps - although it may just be in my head of course. I find it quite relaxing anyway so keep going for that as much as anything else. the Acupuncture Council has a fact sheet...

[MajorClanger123]

I would completely disagree with pollyperky - what you put into your body is scientifically proven to have an effect on how your body operates, produces and metabolizes hormones (amongst other things). To say that it is merely a theory is daft

[claraschu]

I was going to say, go to a really great acupuncturist.

[Annasouthlondon]

@SaltyMyDear stumbled upon this very old post but wondered if I could PM you to get the name of the nutritionist you mentioned please?