My Favorite Herbs for Female Health

Ladies, how often have you heard someone say that females are complicated? Once you get to be my age, you’ll probably hear such references at least a few dozen times. While you may be tempted to roll your eyes and blow off those types of statements, there is actually some truth to them. The female body truly is complicated, especially when you consider the many hormone changes we go through at different phases of our lives.

If we want to look and feel our best, we need to make sure our hormones are balanced, whether we’re still getting monthly periods or we’ve already gone through menopause. If our hormones become imbalanced, we’re likely to suffer from many unwanted symptoms. Fortunately, there are herbs available that can help you restore hormone balance even if things get out of whack for a while. Here are my favorite selections of herbs for supporting female health through all of life’s stages.

Ashwagandha

Despite its strange name, ashwagandha is one of the best herbs for supporting female libido and healthy reproduction. It is an Indian herb that has a long history of use in both men and women. While its stress-reducing properties have long been known, ashwagandha may have special uses for females. It targets the endocrine system specifically and supports the proper balance of female hormones. It can also reduce symptoms commonly associated with menopause, including hot flashes, anxiety and mood swings.

Maca

Maca root is one of the more popular herbs for supporting hormone health in both males and females. Research has shown it to help with common menopausal symptoms and can boost libido. It is also helpful for combatting sexual dysfunction caused by unbalanced hormones. Another excellent benefit that makes this herb so attractive is that it may help with weight loss. That makes sense when you consider that many causes of weight gain stem from unbalanced hormones.

Muira Puama

This herb is valued for its ability to stimulate female libido. Before I get into how it can help, I first want to say that it’s natural for libido to ebb and flow throughout life. So don’t be too hard on yourself if there are periods when you don’t really want to be intimate. But if you’re frustrated with a particularly long spell of decreased desire, Muira Pauma may be the answer. In one study, more than 65% of women experienced improved intimate satisfaction and intensity after taking this herb.

Tribulus Terrestris

Long known for its role in supporting female hormone balance, Tribulus Terrestris also shows great promise for boosting libido in both men and women. If you’re struggling with arousal, desire and satisfaction, try taking this simple herb and see if it helps. Considering the fact that it improved sexual desire in 49 out of 50 female study participants, the chance of it working for you is quite high!

Avena Sativa

Long known as a natural aphrodisiac, Avena sativa can support female health in other ways, as well. While it’s boosting your intimate desires, it may also be supporting your bone health. Since osteoporosis is more common in women than men, anything we can do to develop good bone health is a step in the right direction.

Whether you’re a big fan of herbs or you’ve never used them before, I recommend trying the ones outlined above to keep your female hormones in check. But before taking any type of supplement, it’s wise to check with your healthcare provider to make sure it won’t interact with any medications you’re currently taking. Once you’re given the green light, give one or more of the above herbs a try and see if it works for you.

What You Should Know About Excess Testosterone in Women

What’s the first thing you think of when I say the word “testosterone”? Do you envision rippling muscles and bearded faces? That’s pretty normal. After all, testosterone is one of the most well-known male sex hormones. But testosterone isn’t solely a male hormone. Women have it, too. And while women are often concerned about keeping our estrogen and progesterone levels balanced, many of us give little thought to whether or not our testosterone levels are balanced.

It's estimated that between 5% and 10% of women have high testosterone. Of those women, about 10% are likely to also have polycystic ovary syndrome (otherwise known as PCOS). Imbalanced testosterone can lead to a variety of unwanted side effects, including decreased sex drive, frontal balding, infertility and more.

What Causes Excess Testosterone in Women?

There are several things that can cause testosterone levels to rise too high in women, including:

  • Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia: This is a disorder that typically causes an overproduction of androgen hormones in the body. It leads to more masculine characteristics in women.

  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Women with this condition also have imbalanced androgen hormones. This can lead to a variety of issues, including menstrual cycle abnormalities and infertility.

  • Hirsutism: Marked by persistent growth of unwanted body hair, this disease causes the body to produce too much testosterone. It’s primarily a genetic condition.

There are other conditions that can lead to testosterone imbalances in females, but the three listed above are the most common.

What Are Symptoms of Too Much Testosterone in Females?

Too much testosterone in females can lead to a variety of issues, including changes in physical appearance, mood swings and obesity. Here are some symptoms to watch out for if you suspect you may have too much testosterone in your body:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles

  • Excess body hair (especially on the face)

  • Receding hairline or balding

  • Low libido

  • Mood swings

  • Infertility

If you notice one or more of these issues, there’s a possibility your testosterone levels could be imbalanced. It’s important to take action to try to restore balance so you can get rid of these unwanted symptoms.

Treatment Options for Excess Testosterone

So, now that you know why you’re so hairy, grumpy or bald, what can you do about it? The first thing you should do is see your doctor and have your hormone levels tested so you can rule out any other issues. Once you’re certain that too much testosterone is behind your symptoms, you can seek treatment.

Your doctor may recommend one of the following medications for your hormone imbalance, depending on your age, case severity, and the underlying cause of your condition:

  • Oral contraceptives

  • Glucocorticosteroids

  • Spironolactone

  • Metformin

It’s important to understand that these medications come with some risk of side effects. Make sure you fully understand the side effects before agreeing to take any medication.

Beyond meds, there are things you can do to impact your hormone levels naturally. Lifestyle changes such as losing excess weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy, well-balanced diet can all help balance hormones. There are also some supplements that may help, such as spearmint tea, white peony, reishi mushroom and licorice tea. Even vitamin D has been shown to help balance androgen levels in women with PCOS and other hormone disorders. It may also help boost mood in the winter months when you don’t get as much exposure to natural sunlight.

While most supplements are fairly safe, there are some that may carry a risk of side effects. Before taking any supplement, check with your doctor to make sure it won’t interact negatively with any medications you’re taking or any other health conditions you have.