You’ve probably seen the TikToks or the glossy wellness blogs claiming that a couple of cups of spearmint tea can basically overhaul your entire endocrine system. Some people swear it’s a miracle for hormonal acne. Others are terrified it’ll mess with their estrogen levels and throw their cycle into a tailspin. But if you’re looking for a simple yes-or-no answer to the question does spearmint tea increase estrogen, things get a little murky.
Science isn't always a straight line.
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The short answer? Spearmint tea doesn't actually "contain" estrogen, and it doesn't directly force your body to pump out more of it in the way a hormone replacement therapy might. Instead, it’s all about the balance. It’s more of a "side effect" situation. When you lower one thing, something else looks higher by comparison.
The Anti-Androgen Connection
Most of the hype around spearmint tea comes from its ability to knock down androgens—specifically testosterone.
For women dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), testosterone is often the villain. It’s what causes the painful cystic acne along the jawline and the unwanted hair growth (hirsutism). Back in 2007, a famous study published in Phytotherapy Research looked at women with hirsutism who drank spearmint tea twice a day for five days. The results were pretty wild. Their free testosterone levels dropped significantly.
But what about the estrogen?
During that same study, researchers noticed that while testosterone went down, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) went up. These are the "messenger" hormones that tell your ovaries to get to work. When these rise, estrogen often follows suit because the ovaries are being stimulated. So, in a roundabout way, drinking spearmint tea might lead to a relative increase in estrogen activity, but it’s mostly because it’s clearing the testosterone out of the way.
It’s like a see-saw. If the heavy guy (testosterone) jumps off, the person on the other side (estrogen) naturally goes up.
Why People Think It’s an Estrogen Booster
We have to talk about phytoestrogens. People hear "plant-based hormone help" and immediately think of soy or flaxseeds, which contain compounds that mimic estrogen. Spearmint isn't really in that category. It doesn't have high levels of isoflavones.
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The reason the question does spearmint tea increase estrogen keeps popping up is likely due to the subjective experience of the drinkers. If a woman has "estrogen dominance," she might feel like spearmint tea makes her symptoms worse. Conversely, if she has low estrogen, the slight nudge in FSH and LH might make her feel better.
I’ve seen dozens of anecdotal reports in PCOS forums where users claim their periods returned after drinking the tea. Since a period requires a specific rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone, it's easy to see why people assume the tea is "boosting" estrogen directly. In reality, it’s likely just fixing the ratio so the body can do its job.
What the Research Actually Says (and Doesn't Say)
We need more human trials. Honestly.
Most of what we "know" about spearmint and hormones comes from a handful of small studies. One 30-day randomized controlled trial followed 42 women and confirmed the anti-androgenic effects. They drank the tea twice a day. Their testosterone plummeted. They felt better. But 30 days is a blink of an eye in medical terms.
We don't have long-term data on what happens if you drink this stuff for five years.
There’s also the rat data. We have to be careful with rat studies because, well, we aren't rats. Some studies on rodents suggested that very high doses of spearmint could cause oxidative stress in the ovaries. Does that happen in humans drinking two bags of Bigelow? Probably not. But it’s a reminder that "natural" doesn't always mean "limitless."
Does it affect men differently?
This is a huge concern for guys. If you're a man worried about your gym gains or libido, you might want to be cautious. Since spearmint is so effective at lowering free testosterone, it can theoretically impact male hormonal balance. While a single mojito or a piece of gum won't do anything, consistently drinking strong medicinal spearmint tea could potentially lower androgen levels.
The "Hormone Balancing" Myth
I hate the term "balancing hormones." It’s a marketing buzzword that doesn't mean much in biology. Hormones are supposed to fluctuate. They should be high at some points of the month and low at others.
If you drink spearmint tea because you heard it "balances" things, you might be disappointed if your issue isn't actually high androgens. If your estrogen is already high and your progesterone is low, adding something that potentially nudges estrogen higher (even indirectly) might lead to more bloating, breast tenderness, or mood swings.
You've got to know your baseline.
If you haven't had a blood panel done, you're basically throwing darts in the dark. A doctor like an endocrinologist can tell you if your testosterone is actually the problem. If it is, spearmint tea is a remarkably cheap, tasty, and effective tool.
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How to Use Spearmint Tea Effectively
If you’ve decided to try it, don't just dunk a bag in lukewarm water for thirty seconds. The medicinal compounds—mainly the polyphenols and volatile oils—need time to extract.
- Use organic leaves if possible to avoid pesticides that can act as endocrine disruptors.
- Steep it long. We’re talking 5 to 10 minutes. Cover the mug so the steam (which contains the essential oils) doesn't escape.
- Consistency is king. You won't see a change in your skin or your cycle after one cup. The studies usually look at a 30-day window of twice-daily consumption.
- Watch for side effects. Some people get acid reflux from mint because it relaxes the esophageal sphincter. If you start getting heartburn, the tea is the likely culprit.
Beyond the Teacup
It’s easy to get hyper-focused on one single herb. But if you’re trying to manage estrogen or testosterone, the tea is just one lever.
Sleep matters more.
If you aren't sleeping, your cortisol is spiked. When cortisol is high, your body steals the building blocks for your sex hormones to make more stress hormones. No amount of spearmint can out-brew a lifestyle of chronic stress and four hours of sleep.
Also, consider your gut health. Estrogen is metabolized in the liver and excreted through the gut. If you’re constipated, that "used" estrogen can actually get reabsorbed into your bloodstream, leading to the very "increase" you might be trying to avoid or manage.
The Bottom Line on Estrogen and Spearmint
So, does spearmint tea increase estrogen? Not directly. It doesn't behave like an estrogen supplement. However, by lowering testosterone, it shifts the hormonal environment of your body. For many women, this shift allows their natural estrogen to work more effectively or encourages the body to produce the necessary hormones for ovulation.
It's a nuanced tool.
If you have PCOS or high testosterone, it’s a science-backed ally. If you already struggle with estrogen dominance, you might want to proceed with caution and monitor how you feel.
Actionable Next Steps
- Get a Hormone Panel: Before starting a daily medicinal regimen, ask your doctor for a blood test on Day 3 of your cycle to check LH, FSH, Testosterone, and Estrogen (Estradiol) levels.
- Start a "Spearmint Journal": If you begin drinking two cups a day, track your skin clarity, mood, and cycle length for at least two months. Changes in hormones are slow.
- Optimize Extraction: Steep two tea bags or two teaspoons of loose-leaf spearmint in 8oz of boiling water for 10 minutes, twice daily, to mimic the dosages used in clinical trials.
- Monitor Digestion: If you experience increased GERD or acid reflux, reduce your intake or switch to taking the tea only after a heavy meal.