What Is the Best Over the Counter Anti-androgen?
Although androgens are well known as “male” hormones, they also have an important role in the body of women. In Women, androgens are produced in the adrenal glands and ovaries, although in much smaller amounts. In healthy women, a certain amount of testosterone is necessary for functioning of the female body including proper growth and maintenance.
Androgens act as the precursor for the hormone estrogen, which is the main sex hormone in women. The most well-known androgen is testosterone, which leads to bodily characteristics that are considered typically male. However, testosterone also have an important function in the female body: When women have a lack of testosterone, they may experience lethargy, a lack of muscle mass, mood changes and weight gain. So although testosterone is called a male hormone, it’s also important for the female body.
However, in some cases there is too much androgen in the body. What happens if this is the case?
What are the effects of excess androgens in females?
If there are excessive amounts of androgens in the female body, it can lead to symptoms of “virilization” like acne, breast atrophy, increased muscle mass, deep voice and male type baldness along with Hirsutism, which means the development of male pattern hair growth in females.
In Hirsutism, darker, coarser hair is growing in places where men typically have it, such as the chin, chest, arms, legs and back. It can be very distressing for women, and many are looking to find a way to get rid of this hair growth.
If you are experiencing these symptoms, it’s important to talk about this with a doctor, as there could be an underlying condition causing this androgen excess. While it may be a difficult topic to bring up, discussing it with your doctor will help to find the cause and start a treatment to reduce or stop the hair growth. Anti-androgens are one of the options.
What are Anti–androgens?
Anti-androgens are also known as testosterone blockers, androgen receptor blockers or androgen antagonists, because they work against the action of androgens.
What are the uses of anti-androgens?
Anti-androgens are used in both men and women for different conditions:
In Men:
- To treat precocious puberty (early onset of puberty) in adolescent males
- For treating prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of prostate gland)
- Male pattern hair loss (androgenic alopecia)
- Hyper sexuality in males which is a sexual disorder
In Women:
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (This is the most common cause of hirsutism in women. If you are experiencing hirsutism along with symptoms such as irregular menstruation, weight gain, hair loss, acne, anxiety or depression, you may want to look into this with your doctor)
- Hirsutism (Male pattern hair growth and development of excessive hair which is dark and course in unwanted places in women)
- Absence of menstruation (Amenorrhea)
- Acne
How do anti-androgens work?
Some anti-androgens directly block the androgen receptors: When the androgens cannot bind to their receptors, they cannot function properly.
Other anti-androgens work by reducing the production of androgens in the body. Lowering the level of androgens will automatically reduce the effects of excessive androgen.
Which Is The Best Over The Counter Anti-Androgen?
There are many drugs, including Ayurveda products, which are available as over the counter products which claim to help with the symptoms of excessive androgens. However you must be very careful, as there can be many side effects or negative effects on your health. The best method is to meet your doctor and get a prescription for a medication instead, as there may be underlying reasons and you need a proper diagnosis to start treatment.
Your doctor will know the most suitable medication to prescribe for your condition. There is no such thing as “The best anti-androgen”, as one anti-androgen which works well for one condition may not work satisfactorily for another condition.
