Plain supplement capsules next to a glass of water

Popular Hirsutism Supplements vs. What the Evidence Says

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Short answer: In our 2019 survey of women with hirsutism and PCOS, the most popular supplements were progesterone, spearmint, and zinc. Few women felt any of them worked, and most simply weren’t sure. The research mostly agrees: Spearmint and zinc have small, short studies showing hormone changes, but no supplement has good evidence for reducing unwanted hair, and none is recommended by hirsutism or PCOS guidelines.

In early 2019 we asked 269 women with hirsutism about their experiences, and 83% of them also had PCOS, which was renamed PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) in 2026[1], [2]. One question asked which supplements they had tried for unwanted hair and whether each one worked. Their answers are a useful reality check, because supplement marketing rarely shows what happens when ordinary women try these products at home. Below, we put those answers next to what clinical studies actually show. You can read the full survey results separately.

Plain supplement capsules next to a glass of water

What women tried, and what the evidence says

The table shows answers from respondents with PCOS. “Tried” is the share of that group who had used the supplement. The yes / no / not sure split is among those who tried it. About 19 respondents did not have PCOS, which is too few to report separately[1].

SupplementTriedSaid it worked (yes / no / not sure)Evidence for hirsutism
Progesterone32%13% / 44% / 43%None for hair
Spearmint26%14% / 13% / 73%Small studies
Zinc15%8% / 31% / 62%Weak
Saw palmetto8%5% / 50% / 45%None for hair
Chaste tree5%0% / 69% / 31%None for hair
DIM2%0% / 50% / 50%None for hair
Black cohosh2%0% / 67% / 33%None for hair
Reishi mushroom1%0% / 0% / 100%Lab studies only
White peony and licorice1%0% / 33% / 67%Small studies, hormones only

A note on the small rows: 2% of the PCOS group is only a handful of women, and 1% is two or three. For DIM, black cohosh, reishi, and white peony with licorice, the percentages describe very few people and should not be read as a verdict either way. The larger rows (progesterone, spearmint, zinc) reflect dozens of women each.

For context, neither the Endocrine Society hirsutism guideline nor the 2023 international PCOS guideline recommends any supplement or herbal product to treat unwanted hair[3], [4]. A 2017 systematic review of nutritional supplements and herbal medicines for PCOS found the evidence base small and mostly low quality[5]. With that in mind, here is each supplement in turn.

Progesterone: The most tried, the least studied for hair

Progesterone was the most popular choice: About a third of women with PCOS had tried it, and only 13% of them said it worked[1]. The survey did not ask which form they used. In online support groups at the time, “progesterone” usually meant over-the-counter progesterone cream, so that is likely what many respondents meant, but we can’t confirm it.

We could not find a single controlled trial of over-the-counter progesterone cream for hirsutism. Research on these creams in general is thin. A review in the Medical Journal of Australia found that the creams raise blood progesterone only slightly, and that in small randomized trials they did no better than placebo for the menopause symptoms they were marketed for[6]. Oral progesterone prescribed for irregular periods protects the womb lining, but it is not a recognized hirsutism treatment either.

It’s easy to mix this up with birth control pills, which are a first-line hirsutism treatment[3]. Those pills contain estrogen plus a synthetic progestin, and they work mainly by lowering ovarian androgens and raising the protein that binds testosterone. The progestin matters: Some older progestins, such as norethisterone, also act on androgen receptors, while others, such as cyproterone acetate, have anti-androgen effects[7]. So “progesterone” on its own, especially as a cream, is not the same thing as the hormone treatment doctors use. If progesterone came up because of irregular periods, a lab test is the better starting point; see our page on hirsutism medication for what is prescribed.

Spearmint: The best studied, but not proven for hair

Spearmint had the highest “yes” share among the popular options at 14%, but almost three quarters of women who tried it were not sure[1]. That fits the research surprisingly well.

Two small studies found spearmint tea lowered free testosterone in women with hirsutism within 5-30 days[8], [9]. The only randomized controlled trial gave 41 women with PCOS spearmint tea or a placebo tea twice a day for a month[9]. Women drinking spearmint rated their hirsutism as improved, but the doctor-rated hair score did not change significantly. The author suggested a month was too short to see hair changes, which is a fair point, but no longer trial has been published since. Our spearmint guide covers dosing and safety in more detail.

Mug of fresh spearmint tea with mint leaves

Zinc: One positive trial with a question mark

Fifteen percent of women with PCOS tried zinc, and only 8% of them felt it helped[1]. The research picture is thin. One randomized trial in 48 women with PCOS gave 50 mg of elemental zinc a day or placebo for 8 weeks[10]. The zinc group had a greater drop in hirsutism score and fewer reports of hair loss on the scalp, but no significant change in hormone levels. In 2020 the journal added an editor’s note saying it was investigating concerns about the trial’s integrity, so these results should be treated with caution.

The dose in that trial is also above the 40 mg a day upper limit for adults set by the NIH, and long-term high zinc intake can cause copper deficiency[11]. Zinc from food or a standard multivitamin is reasonable; high-dose zinc for hair is not supported.

Saw palmetto: No hirsutism trials

Saw palmetto is often sold as a “natural anti-androgen” because it has been studied for prostate enlargement in men. Half of the women who tried it said it did not work, and 5% said it did[1]. NCCIH notes that the research in men has mostly been disappointing, and we found no clinical trials of saw palmetto for hirsutism in women[12]. Our page on over-the-counter anti-androgens goes through the options that are often recommended online.

Chaste tree: Studied for PMS and prolactin, not hair

Chaste tree (vitex or chasteberry) had one of the clearest results in our survey: Of the dozen or so women who tried it, none said it worked[1]. That makes sense. Chaste tree has mainly been studied for premenstrual symptoms, cycle regularity, and high prolactin[13]. Lab studies suggest it acts on dopamine receptors, and one small trial found it lowered prolactin about as well as a prescription drug in women with high prolactin[14]. High prolactin is not the usual cause of hirsutism, and there are no studies of chaste tree for unwanted hair. It may interact with hormonal birth control and dopamine-related medicines[13].

DIM, black cohosh, and reishi: Little or no human evidence

DIM (diindolylmethane) is a compound from cruciferous vegetables marketed for “estrogen balance.” There are no clinical studies of DIM in women with PCOS; a 2019 case report and review said so directly[15]. In our survey, none of the handful who tried it said it worked[1].

Black cohosh is used mainly for menopause symptoms. Small trials have combined it with the fertility drug clomiphene in women with PCOS, but none measured hair[14]. NCCIH notes case reports of liver damage in people taking black cohosh[16].

Reishi mushroom compounds blocked 5-alpha-reductase, the enzyme that turns testosterone into its stronger form, in a lab study using rat liver tissue[17]. That is a reason for curiosity, not for buying it: There are no trials in women with hirsutism. The two or so women in our survey who tried reishi were all unsure.

White peony and licorice: Lower testosterone, real side effects

This traditional herbal pair has small studies behind it, though none measured hair. In an open study of 34 Japanese women with polycystic ovaries, a peony and licorice formula taken for 24 weeks lowered testosterone[18]. Licorice alone lowered testosterone in healthy women in a small study[19]. The trade-off is significant: Licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium, especially with regular use[20]. That matters for women with PMOS, who already have higher cardiovascular risk[4]. Only a couple of survey respondents had tried this combination[1].

Why so many women said “not sure”

For most supplements, “not sure” was the most common answer. There are good reasons for that:

  • Hair grows in cycles. A facial hair that is already growing will keep going for months, so any treatment that works on hormones takes at least 6 months to show a visible change. Guidelines ask doctors to wait about 6 months before judging even prescription treatments[3].
  • Most women shave, pluck, or wax regularly, which makes it very hard to notice whether regrowth has slowed.
  • Many people try several things at once or stop after a few weeks, so it’s unclear what caused any change.
  • Few people measure anything. Without photos or a hair score at the start, memory is unreliable.

So “not sure” often doesn’t mean the supplement failed. It means the test was never fair. If you’re not sure how much hair is actually a medical concern, our hirsutism or just hairy test is a good place to start.

How to test a supplement fairly

If you decide to try a supplement anyway, a structured approach gives you a real answer instead of a guess:

  1. Take clear photos of the same areas in the same light before you start, and before hair removal, so you can see regrowth.
  2. Commit to about 6 months, because shorter trials can’t show changes in hair growth.
  3. Change one thing at a time. Don’t start a new pill, diet, and supplement in the same month.
  4. Tell your doctor, and ask about interactions with medicines you take, including birth control, blood pressure drugs, and diabetes medicines.
  5. Don’t take herbal anti-androgen products if you are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding unless your doctor approves.
  6. Buy products that have been tested by an independent lab, since supplements are not checked for content before sale[21].

Our main guide to supplements for hirsutism has more detail on doses and products.

FAQ

Which supplement worked best for women in the survey?

Spearmint had the highest “yes” share among commonly tried supplements, at 14%, followed by progesterone at 13%[1]. But most women who tried either one were not sure, and no supplement came close to a majority “yes.”

Can progesterone cream reduce facial hair?

There is no clinical evidence that over-the-counter progesterone cream reduces hirsutism. Birth control pills, which contain synthetic progestins plus estrogen, are a proven treatment, but they work differently and require a prescription[3], [6].

Are supplements safe to take with spironolactone or the pill?

Some are not. Licorice can raise blood pressure and lower potassium[20], and spironolactone also affects potassium. Chaste tree may interact with hormonal birth control[13]. Always check with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Is there any supplement doctors recommend for hirsutism?

No. Neither the Endocrine Society hirsutism guideline nor the 2023 international PCOS guideline recommends a supplement for unwanted hair[3], [4]. Prescription treatments and hair removal methods have much stronger evidence.

Go deeper: Inositol for hirsutism · Ozempic and other GLP-1s for hirsutism

Key takeaways

  • In our 2019 survey, progesterone, spearmint, and zinc were the most tried supplements among women with hirsutism and PCOS, and few women felt any of them worked.
  • No supplement is recommended for hirsutism by current guidelines.
  • Spearmint has the most research, with small, short studies showing lower testosterone, but no proven effect on hair.
  • Over-the-counter progesterone cream has no evidence for hirsutism and is not the same as the hormones in birth control pills.
  • Licorice, black cohosh, and high-dose zinc carry real safety concerns.
  • If you test a supplement, give it about 6 months, change one thing at a time, and take photos.

Sources

  1. myHirsutism. Hirsutism Survey 2019: responses from 269 women with hirsutism, collected January-February 2019 (83% also reported PCOS). Survey results
  2. Teede HJ, Bahri Khomami M, Morman R, et al. Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, the new name for polycystic ovary syndrome: a multistep global consensus process. Lancet. 2026;407(10545):2329-2339. PubMed 42119588
  3. Martin KA, Anderson RR, Chang RJ, et al. Evaluation and Treatment of Hirsutism in Premenopausal Women: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2018;103(4):1233-1257. PubMed 29522147
  4. Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, et al. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023;108(10):2447-2469. PubMed 37580314
  5. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J, Bensoussan A. Nutritional supplements and herbal medicines for women with polycystic ovary syndrome; a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):500. PubMed 29178904
  6. Wren BG. Transdermal progesterone creams for postmenopausal women: more hype than hope? Med J Aust. 2005;182(5):237-239. Link
  7. Słopień R, Milewska E, Rynio P, Męczekalski B. Use of oral contraceptives for management of acne vulgaris and hirsutism in women of reproductive and late reproductive age. Prz Menopauzalny. 2018;17(1):1-4. DOI 10.5114/pm.2018.74895
  8. Akdoğan M, Tamer MN, Cüre E, et al. Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism. Phytother Res. 2007;21(5):444-447. PubMed 17310494
  9. Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2010;24(2):186-188. PubMed 19585478
  10. Jamilian M, Foroozanfard F, Bahmani F, et al. Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Endocrine Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2016;170:271-278. (Editor’s note added 2020: under investigation.) PubMed 26315303
  11. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Link
  12. NCCIH. Saw Palmetto: Usefulness and Safety. Link
  13. NCCIH. Chasteberry: Usefulness and Safety. Link
  14. Arentz S, Abbott JA, Smith CA, Bensoussan A. Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014;14:511. PubMed 25524718
  15. Alois M, Estores IM. Hormonal Regulation in PCOS Using Acupuncture and Herbal Supplements: A Case Report and Review of the Literature. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2019;18(5):36-39. PubMed 32549844
  16. NCCIH. Black Cohosh: Usefulness and Safety. Link
  17. Liu J, Kurashiki K, Shimizu K, Kondo R. 5alpha-Reductase inhibitory effect of triterpenoids isolated from Ganoderma lucidum. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006;29(2):392-395. DOI 10.1248/bpb.29.392
  18. Effect of TJ-68 (shakuyaku-kanzo-to) on polycystic ovarian disease. Int J Fertil Menopausal Stud. 1994;39(2):69-76. PubMed 8012442
  19. Armanini D, Mattarello MJ, Fiore C, et al. Licorice reduces serum testosterone in healthy women. Steroids. 2004;69(11-12):763-766. PubMed 15579328
  20. NCCIH. Licorice Root: Usefulness and Safety. Link
  21. NCCIH. Using Dietary Supplements Wisely. Link

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