If you live with PCOS, chances are you’ve spent a long time being told that your hormones are “out of balance” — often without anyone slowing down enough to explain why, or what you can realistically do to support them.

Many women I work with feel stuck between two worlds. On one side, medical options that may help but don’t always feel aligned long-term. On the other, natural approaches that sound appealing but are rarely explained with enough depth or evidence to feel trustworthy.

Spearmint tea often sits quietly in the middle of that space.

It’s simple. It’s accessible. And unlike many “natural remedies” for PCOS, it’s actually been studied. Yet it’s often mentioned in passing, without context, nuance, or realistic expectations.

This article explores the impact of spearmint tea on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, what the research truly shows, who it may help most, how to use it safely, and how it fits into a bigger picture of PCOS care. No hype. No pressure. Just grounded, evidence-based clarity.

PCOS is not a single, neatly defined condition. It’s a spectrum — and that’s one of the reasons it can feel so confusing.

At its core, PCOS affects how the ovaries, hormones, metabolism, and nervous system communicate. The symptoms you experience are the downstream result of those signals being out of sync.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is typically diagnosed when at least two of the following are present:

• Elevated androgens (such as testosterone)

• Irregular or absent ovulation

• Polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound

Behind these features, there are often deeper drivers, including insulin resistance, inflammation, and stress-related hormonal patterns.

Elevated androgens are particularly important. They interfere with follicle development, disrupt ovulation, and influence symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth, and cycle irregularity.

PCOS looks different from one woman to the next, but common symptoms include:

• Irregular or missing periods

• Excess facial or body hair

• Acne or oily skin

• Difficulty ovulating

• Fertility challenges

• Weight changes or difficulty maintaining weight

• Fatigue, low mood, or anxiety

These symptoms are not random. They’re physiological responses to disrupted hormonal signalling, not a lack of willpower or effort.

Androgens are often labelled “male hormones,” but they play important roles in women too.

In PCOS, androgen levels are often higher than the body needs. This excess can:

• Prevent follicles from maturing fully

• Interrupt ovulation

• Increase facial and body hair growth

• Contribute to acne

• Affect egg quality

Reducing excess androgen activity — gently and sustainably — is one of the central goals of PCOS support.

Spearmint tea is made from the leaves of Mentha spicata. Traditionally, it’s been used to support digestion, ease nausea, and promote general wellbeing.

What makes spearmint tea especially interesting for PCOS is its anti-androgenic activity — meaning it may help reduce the effects of excess androgens in the body.

This isn’t based on anecdote alone. It’s been observed in clinical research.

One of the most cited studies on spearmint tea and PCOS found that women who drank spearmint tea twice daily for 30 days experienced significant reductions in both free and total testosterone compared to controls [2].

This matters because free testosterone — the unbound, active form — is closely linked to androgen-related symptoms.

Lower androgen levels are associated with improvements in:

• Hormonal signalling

• Ovulatory potential

• Androgen-driven symptoms such as acne and hirsutism

This anti-androgen effect is the primary reason spearmint tea has gained attention in PCOS care.

Beyond testosterone, spearmint tea appears to influence other hormones involved in ovulation.

Studies have observed changes in:

• Luteinising hormone (LH)

• Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)

These hormones play a central role in follicle development and ovulation. Shifting the LH:FSH balance may help create a more supportive environment for ovulatory cycles in some women [3].

This doesn’t mean spearmint tea “forces” ovulation — rather, it may help reduce barriers that prevent it.

Hirsutism — excess facial or body hair — is one of the most emotionally distressing symptoms of PCOS.

Clinical trials have shown that reductions in testosterone from spearmint tea consumption were associated with subjective improvements in hair growth [2]. Objective scoring systems didn’t always show dramatic changes over short study periods, which is important to understand.

Hair growth follows long cycles. Changes often take:

• 3–6 months to become noticeable

• Even longer for established hair follicles

For some women, spearmint tea becomes one supportive piece of a longer-term strategy.

Insulin resistance is a key driver of PCOS for many women — even those who don’t fit the stereotypical picture.

High insulin levels can:

• Stimulate ovarian androgen production

• Worsen cycle irregularity

• Reduce ovulatory quality

Spearmint tea does not directly treat insulin resistance. However, by reducing androgen levels, it may help soften one part of the insulin-androgen feedback loop.

This is why spearmint tea works best alongside foundational supports such as:

• Balanced nutrition

• Regular movement

• Sleep regulation

• Stress management

Egg quality is influenced by the hormonal environment in which follicles develop.

Excess androgens have been associated with:

• Impaired granulosa cell function

• Disrupted follicle maturation

• Reduced ovulatory competence

By lowering free testosterone and supporting LH and FSH balance, spearmint tea may help create a more favourable environment for egg development [2][3]. While fertility-specific data is limited, the underlying mechanisms are relevant.

Spearmint tea may be particularly helpful for women who experience:

• Elevated testosterone on blood tests

• Androgen-driven symptoms (acne, hirsutism)

• Irregular cycles linked to high androgens

• Adrenal-leaning PCOS patterns

It may be less impactful for women whose primary PCOS driver is insulin resistance alone, though overlap is common.

Most studies used a straightforward approach:

• 1 cup of spearmint tea, twice daily

• Steeped for 5–10 minutes

• Consumed consistently for at least 30 days

For real-life use:

• Start with 1 cup daily

• Increase to 2 if well tolerated

• Avoid exceeding this unless guided by a professional

Consistency matters far more than volume.

This is one of the most common questions.

Based on research and clinical experience:

• Hormonal shifts may begin within 4–8 weeks

• Cycle changes may take 2–3 cycles

• Hair-related changes often take 3–6 months

If nothing changes immediately, that doesn’t mean it isn’t working. Hormones respond gradually.

Spearmint tea is generally well tolerated.

Possible mild effects include:

• Digestive discomfort in sensitive individuals

• Headaches if consumed in excess

Avoid or use caution if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Are taking hormone-modulating medications

• Have very low androgen levels already

Always check with a healthcare professional if unsure.

Some patterns I see often:

• Expecting quick or dramatic results

• Using spearmint tea as a replacement for foundational PCOS care

• Drinking excessive amounts

• Combining multiple hormone-active herbs at once

Herbal support works best when it’s simple, steady, and intentional.

Spearmint tea is not a standalone solution.

It works best when layered alongside:

• Blood-sugar-supportive meals

• Gentle, regular movement

• Adequate sleep

• Stress and nervous system regulation

• Targeted supplements when appropriate

Think of it as one supportive signal, not the entire message.

No. Spearmint tea cannot cure PCOS. It may help reduce androgen levels and support hormonal balance as part of a broader, individualised approach.

For most women, yes — in moderation. One to two cups daily is commonly used in studies and clinical practice.

It may support hormonal conditions that influence ovulation, but it is not a fertility treatment on its own.

The impact of spearmint tea on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome lies in its gentleness.

It doesn’t override your body. It supports it — quietly, consistently, and respectfully. For many women, that kind of support is far more sustainable than extremes.

Used thoughtfully, spearmint tea can be a valuable part of a PCOS approach rooted in balance, patience, and trust in the body’s capacity to respond.

This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before introducing herbal remedies, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a medical condition.

1. Chen J et al. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology. 2021.

2. Grant P. Phytotherapy Research. 2010.

3. Akdoğan M et al. Phytotherapy Research. 2007.