Treatment of the testosterone dominance of menopause is to reverse insulin resistance and maybe take body-identical estrogen and progesterone. Treatment of inflammatory hypersensitivity of the androgen receptor is to reduce chronic inflammation and consider taking an anti-androgen supplement such as natural progesterone. Treatmentof post-pill PCOS is to give it some time and consider taking a natural anti-androgen supplement. Treatment of androgen excess due to birth control is to stop taking a progestin with a high androgen index. Elevated prolactin, which increases the adrenal androgen DHEAS (see below) and up-regulates the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme (causing more activation of testosterone to DHT).The relative “testosterone dominance” of menopause.

Chronic inflammation, as explored in this 2011 research.

Read How to prevent and treat post-pill acne.

Coming off anti-androgenic birth control such as drospirenone (Yasmin), which can cause a temporary surge in androgens or temporary post-pill PCOS.

Birth control (progestins) with a high androgen index.

When hair loss is the main symptom, androgen hypersensitivity is called androgenic (or androgenetic) alopecia.Īndrogen hypersensitivity is supposedly genetic, but that explanation is not very satisfactory because previous generations of young women did not suffer the hair loss and androgen symptoms we see today. Hypersensitivity to androgens means there are symptoms of high androgens despite normal levels on a blood test. Hypersensitivity to a normal amount of androgen Once you stop the masculinizing progestin, your androgen symptoms should improve. Choose a less masculinizing progestin, or even better: Choose a non-hormonal method such as Fertility Awareness Method (FAM), condoms, or copper IUD.

Real progesterone has anti-androgen properties because it inhibits the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase. That’s why natural progesterone is good for hair. Progestins with a low androgen index include drospirenone (which is the exact same drug as spironolactone), norgestimate, dienogest, cyproterone, and of course body-identical progesterone. Progestins with a high androgen index include levonorgestrel (many pills, Norplant implant, Mirena hormonal IUD, and the morning-after pill), norgestrel, gestodene, desogestrel, norelgestromin, norethindrone, and etonogestrel (many pills, Nuvaring, Nexplanon implant). Desogestrel is an example of a progestin with a high androgen index.

Elevated adrenal levels