Can Spearmint Help With PCOS?

Catching up over breakfast crepes one morning, I told a friend I thought I might have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). I felt frustrated because I had heard the main treatment is the old adage "Eat less and move more," a diet culture concept I can't get behind.

My friend told me she'd heard spearmint tea could help reduce PCOS symptoms, so she started drinking it. When she wasn't in the mood for tea, she'd take spearmint supplement pills. She wasn't sure if they actually helped, but why not? I agreed it probably wouldn't hurt.

Instantly intrigued by the idea, I looked into it more. While taking spearmint pills sounded easy (and tasty), I still wondered why spearmint could be helpful with high testosterone levels, weight gain, insulin resistance or other signs of PCOS.

So does spearmint tea help with PCOS?

What research says about spearmint for PCOS

PCOS is a hormonal disorder that causes enlarged ovaries and small cysts on the ovaries. People with PCOS tend to have abnormal levels of androgens, which are sex hormones more commonly found in males and present in females in small amounts.

A 2010 study in Phytotherapy Research found testosterone levels were reduced in people who drank spearmint tea, and spearmint has antiandrogen properties. Supposedly, the antiandrogen properties help with PCOS symptoms, such as hirsutism, or excessive hair growth, as well as acne and hair loss.

However, it was a singular study and a short one at that, just one month. Can we trust it?

"The study was small and did not follow patients over a long period of time," said Jerome Chelliah, M.D., M.P.H., a board-certified OB-GYN and the vice president of clinical operations at HerMD in Cleveland. "Therefore, it is unclear whether or not spearmint can help with PCOS symptoms."

Ana Maria Kausel, M.D., an endocrinologist in Miami and the co-founder of Anzara Health, agreed the study had too few participants to conclude anything definitively.

"The participants thought they got better, but a month is just too short to see a real difference in androgenic symptoms," she added.

Should you consume spearmint anyway?

As my friend understandably said: There's a chance spearmint helps with PCOS symptoms. Does it matter what form, though? According to Kausel, the pills should be as effective as the tea, but you probably want to avoid other forms.

"I would not use essential oil since quite a few essential oils are endocrine disruptors themselves," she said.

But is the tea or capsule worth it (and not dangerous) to consume? How much is helpful versus harmful?

The participants in the study drank spearmint herbal tea twice a day for a month. Chelliah said drinking it in moderation isn't dangerous, and it's OK to see if it helps you. However, he doesn't recommend relying on it.

"It is important to remember that spearmint tea, however, should never be used as a treatment modality for PCOS, as there are effective treatment options that have been proven to alleviate symptoms of PCOS," he said.

What actually helps relieve PCOS symptoms?

Thankfully, you have several options for handling PCOS. Other than eating less overall and eating more whole foods, some options from Mayo Clinic include:

• Exercise in a way you enjoy, without overdoing it.
• Consider birth control.
• Talk to your doctor about going on metformin, which helps with insulin resistance.
• Get a pill or gel to reduce acne.
• Look into hair-removal procedures or gels.

PCOS is annoying at best. While spearmint might not be a cure-all, drinking tea in conjunction with these other methods may offer more comfort.

Editor's note: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Our medical experts advise that you consult with your primary healthcare provider before you begin using a supplement. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.