Spearmint Tea and PCOS: What Does the Evidence Say?

Spearmint tea is frequently promoted online as a natural way to lower testosterone, reduce unwanted facial hair and improve hormonal acne in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or PMOS under updated terminology.

There is a scientific reason for the interest: two small human studies found changes in certain androgen measurements after women drank spearmint tea. However, these studies do not establish that spearmint tea reliably reduces facial hair, clears acne, restores ovulation or treats the underlying features of PCOS/PMOS.

So, does spearmint tea help? The early evidence is promising for some hormone measurements, but it remains too limited to recommend spearmint tea as a proven treatment for PCOS-related symptoms.

Here is what the research actually shows, what remains uncertain and what to consider before adding it to your routine.

1. How might spearmint tea affect androgens?

Androgens are hormones, including testosterone, that everyone produces. In women with PCOS/PMOS, higher androgen levels or increased sensitivity to these hormones can contribute to symptoms such as hirsutism, which is the growth of coarse hair in areas such as the chin, upper lip and chest.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata) contains plant compounds that have attracted interest because of possible anti-androgenic activity. An anti-androgenic effect means reducing the production or biological activity of androgens.

But several different biological processes are involved, and it is important not to treat them as interchangeable.

Testosterone levels: The most relevant human studies measured testosterone in blood. Some results suggest that spearmint tea may reduce free testosterone, the fraction that is not bound to proteins, and possibly total testosterone under certain study conditions.

Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH): These hormones help regulate ovarian function. Both increased in the 2010 trial. However, a change in LH or FSH does not automatically mean that ovulation has improved or that menstrual cycles have become more regular.

5α-reductase and DHT: The enzyme 5α-reductase converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in certain tissues. DHT is involved in some androgen-related effects on hair follicles. Although this pathway is relevant to hair biology, the available human spearmint-tea studies do not establish that drinking the tea inhibits this enzyme or reliably reduces DHT in women with PCOS/PMOS.

Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG): This protein binds circulating sex hormones, including testosterone. Changes in SHBG can affect the amount of free testosterone, but the key spearmint studies do not establish a reliable SHBG-mediated mechanism.

The distinction matters: a plausible biological explanation is not the same as a mechanism demonstrated in clinical trials.

2. What did the human studies actually find?

Two often-cited studies provide much of the direct human evidence.

The 2007 study: 21 women over five days

Akdoğan and colleagues studied 21 women with hirsutism. Twelve had PCOS, while nine had idiopathic hirsutism, meaning unwanted coarse hair without the same identified underlying condition.

Participants drank spearmint tea twice daily for five days during the follicular phase of their menstrual cycles.

The researchers reported a significant decrease in free testosterone and increases in LH, FSH and estradiol. They did not find significant reductions in total testosterone or dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).

These findings were interesting, but the study was small, brief and did not establish whether the hormone changes led to lasting improvements in hair growth or other symptoms.

The 2010 study: a 30-day randomized trial

Grant conducted a two-centre randomized controlled trial involving 42 women with PCOS. Participants were assigned to drink spearmint tea or a placebo herbal tea twice daily for 30 days. Forty-one completed the study.

The researchers assessed hormone levels, clinically rated facial and body hair using the Ferriman-Gallwey score, and participants’ own assessments of how their hirsutism affected them.

The findings were mixed:

• Free and total testosterone: Both decreased significantly in the spearmint group over the study period.
• LH and FSH: Both increased significantly.
• Participants’ perceptions: Self-reported assessments of hirsutism-related impact improved.
• Clinically rated hair growth: The difference in Ferriman-Gallwey scores between the spearmint and placebo groups was not statistically significant.

The last result is especially important. The study showed changes in blood hormone measurements, but it did not demonstrate a significant objective reduction in unwanted hair over 30 days.

That does not prove spearmint tea has no effect on hair growth. It means this particular trial did not establish a measurable benefit on its clinical hair-growth outcome.

Evidence summary

Taken together, these studies provide a reason for further research, not proof that spearmint tea is an effective treatment.

3. How long would it take to see changes in facial hair or acne?

The 2010 trial lasted one month. That is enough to observe some short-term blood hormone changes, but it cannot answer whether spearmint tea produces sustained, visible hair reduction over several months.

Hair growth happens in cycles, and existing coarse hair does not disappear immediately when hormone levels change. Any treatment that meaningfully affects hair growth may take months to show a visible difference.

It would therefore be misleading to promise that spearmint tea will reduce facial hair after 30 days or to guarantee results after three to six months. Those timelines are not established spearmint-specific treatment outcomes.

Acne is also influenced by several factors, including hormones, genetics, skin characteristics and other treatments. The key spearmint trials do not establish that drinking spearmint tea clears PCOS-related acne.

If unwanted hair or acne is distressing, evidence-based options are available. A clinician or dermatologist can discuss suitable approaches, including cosmetic hair-removal methods and medication where appropriate. Spearmint tea should not delay assessment or replace treatment that is working.

4. How many cups of spearmint tea were studied?

In both key studies, participants drank two cups of spearmint tea per day. The 2007 study used this schedule for five days, while the 2010 trial used it for 30 days.

These are study protocols, not a clinically established dose for treating PCOS/PMOS. The evidence does not establish an optimal quantity of dried leaves, a universally effective brewing method, a maximum safe long-term intake or whether stronger preparations work better.

If you choose to drink spearmint tea as an ordinary beverage, follow the preparation instructions for the product and avoid assuming that concentrated extracts or essential oils have the same effects or safety profile as brewed tea.

Do not increase the amount in pursuit of faster results. More is not necessarily more effective, and the long-term safety of medicinal or high-dose spearmint use for PCOS/PMOS has not been adequately established.

5. Safety, side effects and precautions

The small clinical trials do not provide enough information to establish the long-term safety of regular medicinal use.

Consider these precautions:

• Pregnancy and trying to conceive: The trials do not establish safety during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, trying to conceive or undergoing fertility treatment, ask your healthcare professional before using spearmint tea specifically for a therapeutic effect. Do not assume that a natural product is automatically safe during pregnancy.
• Reflux or digestive discomfort: If spearmint tea seems to aggravate your symptoms, stop drinking it and seek advice if symptoms persist. Evidence does not justify claiming that ordinary spearmint tea invariably causes reflux.
• Iron absorption: Tea can affect iron absorption in some circumstances, but a clinically meaningful effect from spearmint tea specifically has not been established by the PCOS trials. If you have iron deficiency or take iron supplements, ask a clinician or pharmacist about appropriate timing.
• Liver or kidney conditions: The available studies are not sufficient to establish safety in people with significant liver or kidney disease. Seek individualized medical advice before using it regularly for therapeutic purposes.
• Medicines and supplements: Reliable clinical interaction data for spearmint tea are limited. Tell your clinician or pharmacist about herbal products you use, especially if you take prescribed hormone treatments or fertility medicines.

Can spearmint tea interfere with oral contraceptives?

The available trials do not establish that spearmint tea reduces the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. However, the evidence is too limited to rule out every possible interaction, particularly with concentrated products. Ask your pharmacist or prescriber before combining medicinal quantities of herbal products with prescription treatment.

Does spearmint tea lower testosterone permanently?

There is no good evidence that it permanently lowers testosterone. The main randomized trial lasted 30 days, and it did not establish whether hormone levels remained lower after participants stopped drinking the tea.

It is also not known whether any effect requires continued intake, how long it might last, or whether the findings apply to all women with PCOS/PMOS.

6. Why spearmint tea is not a complete PCOS/PMOS treatment

PCOS/PMOS is a complex condition involving reproductive, hormonal and metabolic features that vary from person to person. Androgen-related symptoms are only one part of the picture.

Spearmint tea has not been shown to treat insulin resistance, prevent diabetes, restore ovulation or address every underlying feature of PCOS/PMOS. It should not be described as a metabolic treatment or a cure.

The 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for PCOS recommends individualized care based on a person’s symptoms, goals, health risks and preferences. Depending on the situation, management may include lifestyle support, assessment of glucose status, combined oral contraceptives for irregular cycles or hirsutism, and other treatments selected with a qualified healthcare professional.

This does not mean everyone needs medication, nor does it mean lifestyle measures are unimportant. It means treatment should match the person’s needs rather than relying on a single tea or supplement to address every concern.

If you are interested in trying spearmint tea, discuss it as a possible adjunct rather than a replacement for prescribed treatment. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without consulting the person who manages your care.

Frequently asked questions

Is spearmint tea the same as peppermint tea?

No. Spearmint (Mentha spicata) and peppermint (Mentha × piperita) are different plants. The findings from spearmint studies should not automatically be applied to peppermint tea or other mint products.

Can spearmint tea reduce facial hair caused by PCOS?

It may affect some hormone measurements, but current clinical evidence does not establish that it reliably reduces facial hair. The 30-day randomized trial did not find a significant improvement in the objective hirsutism score compared with placebo.

Can spearmint tea help with hormonal acne?

There is insufficient direct clinical evidence to recommend it as an acne treatment. Acne alone is not proof of elevated testosterone or PCOS/PMOS, and persistent acne can be assessed by a healthcare professional.

Can I drink spearmint tea every day?

Two cups daily was the schedule used in the key studies, but this does not establish that the same intake is safe or effective for everyone over the long term. Consider your health circumstances, medicines and reason for using it, and seek professional advice if you intend to use it therapeutically.

Should I stop taking spironolactone or another prescribed treatment if I start spearmint tea?

No. The evidence does not support replacing prescribed anti-androgen treatment with spearmint tea. Discuss any changes with your prescriber.

A more useful way to assess your symptoms

When trying a new beverage or making another routine change, it can be difficult to tell whether symptoms have genuinely changed or whether normal variation is responsible.

HeyTimi supports symptom, habit, meal and cycle logging, helping you keep a record of relevant changes over time. You can use those records to prepare more specific questions for your healthcare appointment. Tracking does not measure testosterone, confirm insulin resistance or prove that spearmint tea caused a change.

Explore HeyTimi on the App Store to support your ongoing health tracking and preparation for informed conversations with your healthcare professional.

Promising findings, not a proven treatment

Spearmint tea has shown potentially interesting effects on free and total testosterone in small human studies involving women with PCOS/PMOS or hirsutism. However, the studies were short, and a measurable improvement in objectively rated hair growth was not demonstrated in the 30-day randomized trial.

There is not enough evidence to conclude that spearmint tea clears acne, restores ovulation, permanently lowers testosterone or treats the metabolic features of PCOS/PMOS. Its optimal dose, long-term safety and interactions also remain insufficiently studied.

If you enjoy spearmint tea, it may be a beverage you choose to include in your routine, provided it is appropriate for your circumstances. Treat claims of hormonal benefits cautiously, avoid replacing prescribed care, and discuss persistent or distressing symptoms with a qualified healthcare professional.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition. Spearmint tea should not replace prescribed medication or medical care. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbal products for therapeutic purposes, especially if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, have an ongoing medical condition or take medication.

References

1. Grant P. (2010). Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Phytotherapy Research, 24(2), 186–188. doi:10.1002/ptr.2900.
2. Akdoğan M, Tamer MN, Cüre E, et al. (2007). Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism. Phytotherapy Research, 21(5), 444–447. doi:10.1002/ptr.2074.
3. Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, et al. (2023). Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 108(10), 2447–2469. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgad463.