Women with hirsutism grow hair on their faces, breasts and stomachs. This can cause great distress. The hair grows because they have abnormally high levels of the ‘masculinising’ androgen hormones. Androgens travel around the body in the blood stream, and a key way of treating hirsutism is to reduce the level of these androgens.
Data just published in Phytotherapy Research shows that drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day for five days could reduce the level of androgens in women with hirsutism.
“Current therapies use either oral contraceptives to suppress androgen production, or medications such as spironolactone that prevent the body responding to androgen – but this study shows that spearmint could be a good natural alternative for women who have mild symptoms,” says researcher Mehmet Numan Tamer who acts as spokesperson for the research team. The research was carried out at the Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkey.
In the trials the herbal tea was made by pouring a cup (250ml) of boiling water over 1 heaped teaspoon (5g) of dried leaves, and leaving it for 5 to 10 mins.
The team decided to study the effects of spearmint on hirsutism because of previous reports that extracts of the spearmint plant (Mentha spicata Labiatae) could reduce libido in men. A possible reason for this reduced libido could have been that spearmint was reducing their androgen level. Other research had shown that these extracts reduced androgen levels in rats.
“We now need to do further studies to test the reliability of this finding, and to see the extent to which the reduced androgens do help women with mild hirsutism,” says Professor Tamer.
From John Wiley & Sons
To all the Ladies,
This is very important before you go for LASER or any kind of hair treatment..
FIrst please go to you GP and check for PCOS..
If you have PCOS laser would not work at all..
So just get treated for it and then the effect is less laser will work not otherwise
omg!! i thought i was the only one!! im 22 and i shave my whole body ,arms,back,stomach etc as i am very hairy and they are long black thick hairs and its very embarrassing and i get depressed bout it all the time and often cry :( :(
i ain’t sure whether i have a problem or not or wether its becuz i now and then shave my belly becuz of the very faint brown hairs which is like fair hair its annoying becuz i shave it grows faster and comes bk =/ if we have the spearmint tea will it stop the hair and will u have to shave it off and hope it doesn’t grow back as bad? i am rly conffussed not really sure it stops the hair growth problem .. i know how u gals feel n guys =/ xx
I have 13 years to sell the meat to pay my brother I leave school at age 13 to 13 years in the business
I am 12 and have pretty much hairy for most of my life. I don’t know why. It’s all over my arms, stomach, back and especially on my legs. I am too scared to ask my mum about shaving or waxing. Would someone pls give me some advice to help me bring it up to my mum to help me get rid of all of it???
it’s alright i have hairy arms as well but i have bleached mine and on my legs.i have some dark hair at the bottom of my back! you dont have to be afraid to ask your mum! nearly every girl at your age shaves.you can tell your mum any thing thats what she is there for. dont be afraid i asked and she was fine with it! just ask her i bet when you do you will feel much better . pleaseeee reply ….. thats if you ask your mum . Jade x
hey i had the same problem…
my solution was to just start shaving without asking my mom…
she eventualy found out and asked me why… i just told her it was imbarasing and i was tired of it … she didnt ask me to stop… im sure she understood because im hiary from evry wear so i rely couldnt hide it (my upper lip and arms are the worst)
And I agree with whoever said “your beautiful from the inside out” if ur healthy ur insides are beautiful and that creates a beautiful outside. Skin problems and hair problems or body pains come from whatever is going on in the inside of our bodies, if we eat healthy our body gets healthy n fit causing our blood stream to be good n clean and fat free, or bacteria free which will cause our skin not only to be clear but to have a glow as well, if u take care of ur insides it will for sure show on ur outsides, we have excessive body hair because inside of us there’s an imbalancment which also causes acne in some cases, if we don’t drink enough water we get yellowish skin or dark circles beneath our eyes or we get constipated, if we have a lot of soda, we can break out and have bad teeth, not only doesn it stain teeth but it melts the enamel causes the teeth to be very sensitive, if not very then a little and then eventually very sensitive, because it weakens the teeth, teeth are made of enamel, cherish them, once u lose enamel it takes yrs to get it back, some don’t even get it back. Ok so I made my point, whatever is going on in our insides is most likelyy like 99% likely going to appear on our outsides, every flaw, ache or disorder has its cause n reason, even acne needs medical help not cvs over the counter help or pro active help, not all ppl have the same problem inside them just because they all have acne, different people have different problems that need to be solved professionally , as in by ur doctor, saves money and time, a doctor will give u direct and exact help while over the counter and online products take advantage of ur desperate need for help =(
Everyone please talk to ur doctor no matter what is bothering u, or hurts or shouldn’t be on ur skin, don’t take one doctors opinion either, get a few opinions and check out ur symptoms on web md, u don’t have to accept ur flaws or what u hate, if u do, more power to u, but if u don’t accept it then do something about it don’t be sad and forever insecure, that’s never fun and nottt the way to go!
Take care all =) now gooooo see a specialist! Treatment takes a while so u best get started, not to mention it took me 5 weeks to get an appointment, im sure after reading this page u’vbe realized u aren’t the only one with this problem, same at the doctors so make an appoitment asap!
I’ve had a normal amount of body hair until the age of 14, I started to get baby hairs on my breasts and inbetween them, and on my tummy and upper arms, lower back n butt. I just decided to keep it hidden until 9 months ago I told my doctor I think I have a hormone imbalancement and she disagreed because I didn’t have irregular periods, she offered birth control tho, and had me take a blood test, she said everything was fine n I can’t be treated for anything, 6 months later my insurance changed my doctor due to my age, so I told my new doctor I had ireegular periods to see if she will prescribe to me hormonal imbalancement pills, but she didn’t, she instead wrote me a refferal to see a specialist who is amazingg btw. Anyways he as well as my old doctor made me get a blood test, a huge one, they filled 4 tubes of my blood! He tested me for everything and anything close to imbalancement, and when he got the results he said I have serverely low female stuff and high male hormones, he basically told me im serverily half man haha anyways he gave me hormonal pills that cleared up my skin of breakout, and cleared my facial hair and my arm hair and even in my private area, and legs, and even armpits grow wayy less hair and it also takes weeks for it to grow back, I also had alottt of lower back pain for 7 yrs, I could never stand too long, sit too long not even lay down too long, and out of no where it stopped hurting and I believe its from the treament, I haven’t had back pain since I started the treament n im so thankful, I felt like an 80 yr old at just the age of 15 and was upset I couldn’t go as far as I wanted to in jogging or cleaning up my house . The specialist also prescribed diabettic pills to help me lose wait and vitamin b12 which breaks down fat cells and boost energy levels and stuff. U can get b12 pills over the counter, but he got me a nasal spray that was only good for 8 uses, and I use it once a week as directed. He also told me to take another blood test in 7 weeks and then come see him on the following week, I don’t know if he wanted to see me 8 weeks later to see if the treatment, and I won’t know until my insurance is back because I was just cut off last week =( but the meds are still available for a yr, I just have to pay out of my pocket for now , I will continue taking the med until im insured again, im sure there’s a reason the med has 3 refills before 2011, and just to be safe im going to keep takingthem because I know im not done because I still have a bit of chest hair, and my lower back and butt hair is still right here, they were the main reason I seen a specialist yet they’re they only parts of me that have not been cured , I hope within time it will tho, maybe the back area needs more time than anything else..
Anyways my point is, I highly recommand all of u to see a specialist, ur doctor should refer one to u, do not accept bithcontrol as an option, argue with ur doctor or lie like I have, if I didn’t lie, I wouldn’t have been treated, my firs doctor made a mistake and thank god I didn’t listen to her.
Even if the hormonal imbalancement treatment does not get rid of the exccessive body hair its still balancing ur hormones out which is very important because women with imbalancement will forever have difficulties getting pregnant and if they do get pregnant its dangerous to her and the baby, also my specialist told me my anger and aggression comes from having too much male hormones, and so does my tomboy behavior.
Also children as wrong as 11 years old can have imbalancements, its best to treat it asap. Good luck ladies, u can email me if u’d like me to keep u updated =)
Hey i would love to be updated, My problem is kind of similar, and i asked my sister if i might have more Male hormones because i have peach fuzz on my back, in between my breast, my stomach and my Butt (Very Embarrassing hehe) She says No you’re Fine and when you’re 18 you can just go and Laser them but i am just 14 ! I want to enjoy my life and i can only laser after 4 years .. I have to spend Hours in the washroom shaving my whole Body .. Its so annoying, I cry at Night thinking i would creep out people if they knew about it, It is very depressing tho My sister or mom dont take me seriously, My mom is Totally hairless and My sister is gonna start her Laser Treatment, I am Stuck, I hate it :( I would be so Glad if you reply really (PS- I couldnt find your Email to contact You)
Hi, wanted to ask you a question about the hormonal pills, do they have to be prescriped by the doctor to get them? and thanks for sharing that..i hope it works for me too.
also i forgot to add, what is the name of the hormonal pills can u give us some more info about it please
Ok, im a model and this is an insane issue for me, i have black hairs from between my boobs to below my bellybutton, i also get a moustashe, which really sucks, i just get it waxed, which is fine i guess, but the problem is my stomach, the hairs are like over 1cm long! it sucks. And on my arms, i bleach them but really they are black, i get hair on my fingers, toes and feet too. I find it weird that i get all this black hair since the hair on my head is a natural blond, I also have very broad shoulders for a girl and no boobs, i must have alot of male hormones, hahaa.
hey did u end up getting any help with specailist in the end ? sorry i’m just freaked out by myself having fair hair on my belly and breasts do u know anything to get rid off em yet if not please keep me updated so i know it isn’t bad i’m just worrid it might end up bad =/
thanks sorry …
two years ago i was hairless. then out of no where, i started getting really hairy. lower stomach, face, butt… it has made me feel so down..
when it first started, i was 15, i started lazer hair removal, but it cost so much, hurt so much and it wasnt working because “my hormones” ??
two years on and i still hate it. i know everyone says that shaving is bad, but i do it anyway (not my face) it makes me feel smooth and hairless and that makes me happy. for my face i use the epilator. it kind hurts, but its not so bad. nobody even knows that im hairy there. that too makes me happy.
ive been told to go on the pill, but my mother wont allow me to because apparently it makes you gain weight. i like my figure and i dont want to gain weight so i guess mum has a point.
the worst part is when im around boys. i just feel so nervous because i dont want them to notice. id feel so scared and embarressed. but the good part is that im now 17 and there are many boys who are interested in me and think im the most beautiful girl in the world. they say im perfect haha but little do they know about this hair problem of mine.
so girls out there, it does suck being hairy. straight out it does. but dont let that get in the way of living your life. and esp. dont let it get in the way with boys :)
aslong as you know how to hide it or get rid of it i guess you will be fine. because i am. hope use can all be happy to xx
Hi everyone!
My name is Arie.
I’m a male
I’m very sorry for you girls who tries to get off the hair
I wish people to accept you as you are
I love hairy girls.
The hairier the better
If someone want to talk E-mail me
[email protected]
im 13 years old and i have always wanted to wear a bikinni but i am really embarassed of my back hair and i just tryed bleaching but i dont know how long bleaching last…i am soo stressed i would like to know how waxing works out.i really need you guys helppp!! thanks
bleaching takes 10 mins or less, i do it for atleast 8 mins. ohh and im 13 also and have the same issue as you. but i never tried bleaching it.. ive alos wanted to wear a bikini sice my boyfriend wants to see me with one.. but ill find a way, just as long u do something to it, itll b ohkay(:
Im a 13 year old girl who has alot of body hair i dont want ive tried shaving that made it worse ive tried waxing but its to much money and im broke now is there a solution to get rid of hair for free i want a boyfriend but im scared he might be afraid of my body hair and brake up with me please help i need a solution for to get rid of body hair now besides waxing and shaving or lazor surgery im only 13 turning 14 i need help pleaseeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i know what you mean i have the same problem you are not alone i really wanna go to the water park and wear a bikinni but im scared people will notice my black hair on my back!!! but the best thing would be too bleach …..thanks nicole
I’m a hispanic male in my 30″s that has been in relationships with females with this hairy issue! and I’ve accepted there beauty as is! take in mind I’m a handsome fit guy! so just because I have a open mind does not make me weird!! They’ve felt that they are not accepted because society today in especially in the lime life feels that you have to be a a certain way to be accepted and that’s false! we are created equal with all sorts of beauty!! in the Garden you find so many different beautiful flowers!! not are flowers look the same right! of course you may be fond bushier leaves flower and others may like them with less leaves but they both are beautiful right! some people like both lots of leaves and less leave! to me beauty is in the eye of the beholder! however for me there is no different in beauty whether a girl is hairier than the other! it does not matter if the hair on her head is longer or shorter! its how she accepts and loves herself! once you love and accept your self than it does not matter who accepts you or not( believe me not all people will accept you if you were non hairy! think how you would handle that! i’D THINK the same way you should handle it now)! if you are hairy or not! regardless someone will be talking about you behind your back! so please girls accept yourself first! if want to try to attempt to do something about it because you personally dont like like it not because you seen others) then try the procedure you think works for you! brazilian, laser or this spearmint tea then go for it! but please come to a reality with self first and base your like and dislike on you, not what others say! cause other can lead you down a black hole of depression if you allow them too! (ITS A EVIL WORLD OUT THERE GIRLS! DONT FALL FOR THE WORDS OF THE WORLD! they are like bubbles in the air, when bubbles pop, there is nothing there) learn to accept and love yourself! me myself I love you all! hairy or not! you are special beautiful!! sad that not everyone in the world see it that way! but then again! each one of of us in the world have our own opinion! but don’t live off the opinions of others cause that will drive you crazy! take care of you! and keep your head up!
That is so true start with you inside first, then I will ease up a little on me
Thank you so much. I read this comment and I thought it was awesome because it was good to get a guys opinion, it was an incredibly sweet thing to say, it made me laugh, and it was true. Thanks for being a great guy, us girls need more guys like you!
Okay, So I am a 13 year old girl. And I am having may problems with extra hairs. I can not drink tea it causes me too break out. And I have shaved most of the hair. it always grows back much much darker. Around my face I can not get rid of the hair. My boyfriend keeps teasing me about it. I get very nervious. Once I began too cry! I just need very much help…..It’s not turning out too well for me. Help me, please?
I really feel for you sweetie as I have had the same problem all my life and I am now 38 years old! I have spent so much money, time, pain and tears on so many products that promise results, and I have only found one thing that works. LASER TREATMENT. After 2 treatments I can honestly say that the hair has already stopped growing, although the person I am currently seeing says that it takes 6-8 treatments to have full results. You only have to go once a month, and it doesn’t take long at all. You will also find that it is getting very cheap these days and most beauty parlours offer this. Please try this sweetie because as you get older, the problem only gets worse. You said you are already shaving the area so there’s nothing you have to do to prepare yourself. They just don’t want you to pluck or wax it. All the best.
Its amazing to see how many people also suffer from this..this site however has definitely made me feel more “normal”,however this blog is great but i also believe there should be a website where woman can discuss this problem and talk about their experiences and products they have used and there results.. or is there any website already out there that im unaware of??im really interested however in the No!No! hair remover,(www.no-no.com) it is quite expensive however – $289.00 and im wondering is it worth investing in?if anyone has had previous experiences PLEASE REPLY :) and let me no .. thank you.. also about an epilator and good brands that genuinely work?? i am a young lady and its the 21st century there HAVE to be solutions … i am gonna try the tea too.. hope it works :)
I’ve got polycystic ovaries so am covered in hair Had to shave face at least once a day. I’ve just bought the new braun wet and dry epilators and used on my face and not shaved for a week. There are a few red sores, but get that with shaving anyhow so . . . all good ;o)
im 14 years old.a girl.i have hair on my stomach,a little on upper back and lower back.and on my but.i didnt tell my mother about it.so i just decided to shave it.and now o my somch its so thick and dark when it grows back.im so embaresed by it.i need something 2 get rid of it.or something
im 20 years old female i don’t know if i got hirsutism but i was browsing to see any causes of women having alot of body hair because i was having that problem bad, i havent went to a doctor about it but after reading the descriptions i see thats what i might have. it was very emberassing because i have alot of hair on my legs, stomach,back,arms,and everywhere else u can think of and shaving doesnt do know good because it will grow back 2 days later and look as though i nevered shaved.i didnt think much of it because every women goes through this, until i realized i have it much worse,and my boyfriend joke about that it looks like i growing a mustache and felt before i even notice a few strands under my chin and face. I really thought i was alone and less feminine but im glad im not and i hope that spearmint stuff works too
I noticed I was hairier than my friends when I was 13. It didn’t help much that my Mum wouldn’t let me shave my legs or under my arms and I got hair on my upper lip. At school I was picked on because of it. As I have got older (Im 35 now). I have noticed that it has gradually got worse. My bikini line is a nightmare. I now get hair round my nipples and lower stomach. I hate it when I get invited swimming as it is such a chore to remove the hair. Recently I have started to go to a chiropractor which involves stripping to your underwear. Totally embarrassing so I now where cycling shorts over my boy shorts.
I will give this tea a go, but I won’t hold my breath. As for the girls who are worried about getting intimate with guys. Please don’t worry. It hasn’t seem to of been an issue with the guys I have been with. And if it was then they are so not worth it. Your are not alone.
Hi – Here is a link to the BBC article on this same issue. It does provide some info on the dosing. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6376599.stm
Good luck!
i am deepa from india i would like to ask a question if you can answer i have pcod and i would like to know the quantity of tea to be taken how many times a day and on which day during the menstural cycle and for how long we can take the tea.
it would be very helpfull for me as you know that there is no other natural treatment for the same we also have infertility problem it would be very kind of you to help us with the same. it would be grat if you can mail me on my address at [email protected]