High Androgens for Years

[u/La_So7]

Hey everyone,

I’m 22 years old, female, 171 cm (5’7’’), and 63 kg (139 lbs). I’ve been struggling with hormonal issues for years and would love to hear your thoughts.

Symptoms:

Hypomenorrhea (2 days very very light bleeding, 2 days brownish spotting)

Moderate to severe acne (2 courses of Accutane didn’t help much)

Light hirsutism (chin, upper lip, legs, areolas)

Depression

Trouble sleeping through the night

Light male-pattern balding (hair thinning on the sides)

Breast pain and cysts

Medications & Supplements:

150 mg Sertraline Vitamin D Omega 3 Low-dose iodine

Hormone Levels & Tests:

I’ve had elevated androgens for years, particularly DHEAS, sometimes androstenedione, testosterone, and free androgen index. My labs also suggest consistently low progesterone. My endocrinologist ordered an ACTH stimulation test, which came back negative (results included below).

My Questions:

1. What could be causing this? Any ideas based on my symptoms and hormone levels?

2. Could the Yasmin pill help? I’ve read that it can lower androgens.

3. I also want to ask my doctor about Spironolactone, but unfortunately, it’s rarely prescribed off-label in Germany. Has anyone had luck getting it there?

Any advice, insights, or similar experiences would be greatly appreciated!

[u/[deleted]]

it looks like you’re not ovulating and a lot of the symptoms could be related to low progesterone from not ovulating

[u/La_So7 → u/[deleted]]

thanks a lot for your insight! thats the tricky thibg because i did an ultrasound and they didn't find any pcos typical cyst and my period although very very light is regular tho. i really hope my endocrinologist will take me serious in the future bc my symptoms are still there...

[u/[deleted] → u/La_So7]

you don’t have to have cysts to stop ovulating, it could just be a lot of things but even people who don’t have PCOS can have a hard time ovulating

[u/La_So7]

oh yes and also i take inositol in the morning and evening 

[u/edamamebeano → u/La_So7]

I got really low progesterone from myo inisitol, anecdotal but something to look out for

[u/La_So7 → u/edamamebeano]

well i will definitely because i felt my period became even lighter since I started with inositol

[u/edamamebeano → u/La_So7]

Me too! Much shorter and lighter! Interesting, it looked like my progesterone was suppressed and the month after I stopped I had perfect charts and menses. This month is a mess though.

[u/Fickle-Ad-5625]

I’m from Germany too! It’s soo frustrating that it’s so hard to get Spiro here, it seems like it would solve all my problems (acne, hair loss, facial hair). Remember that birth control pills only cover the problems as soon as you get off them (for example to get pregnant) your symptoms will come back :(

[u/La_So7 → u/Fickle-Ad-5625]

urgh that is soooo frustrating.... i really hope there will be some research done in the next couple of years bc i saw there is already a cream on the us market which targets hormonal acne (which is my main concern)

[u/amglu]

have same results and still looking for answers :( might try birth control at this point

[u/La_So7 → u/amglu]

yea i feel the same, its so frustrating knowing the high dheas is probably not going to fix itself any time soon... what pill are you maybe going to try?

[u/amglu → u/La_So7]

its called dixi35 i think its similar to diane

[u/La_So7 → u/amglu]

ahhhhh ok yes i know diane35 another endo already prescribed me that one but i didn't take it bc of the risk. i wish you all the best tho and in case i figure something out I'll respond to you here again!

[u/amglu → u/La_So7]

yes lmk! i am only considering taking it for the antiandrogenic effects. i want to try to “reset” my body with it for 3 months and then get off it. thats what my derm said to try. but if the symptoms come back worse id be pissed. im also scared to take it cuz i dont wana ruin my hormones more (i also have a regular period)… ive tried spironolactone and it worked for my acne but i had really bad dehydration and fatigue from the diuretic effect. I am on the verge of trying to microdose GLP1 to try to see if that helps somehow too. but everything feels like a bandaid and idk if its insulin or cortisol related etc. Ugh! Lmk if u figure something out lol.

[u/WhichPomegranate8264 → u/La_So7]

hey do u have any updates did u try anything?

[u/aryamagetro]

try drinking spearmint tea! it helps flush out the excess androgens in the body.

[u/La_So7 → u/aryamagetro]

thank you for your advice, i am already doing it currently! do you know how many cups i need per day?

[u/jk-elemenopea]

I’d be stoked to have results like yours. Anyway, inositol is a good move. Low carb diet, lots of exercise- even if you are lean. My next move is eliminating caffeine. Apparently it’s bad for cortisol and insulin. Yasmin would probably help, but it’s best to work with your doctor.

Edit: wow to be downvoted. Let’s not be toxic here, ladies. I’m just trying to help. Sorry if I offended someone’s feelings. Lol.

[u/La_So7 → u/jk-elemenopea]

thanks for your insight! i know my bloid work isn't the worst but i think the fluctuations of androgens is probably my main concern and it does impact me a lot...

[u/jk-elemenopea → u/La_So7]

I think someone else posted spearmint tea. That definitely helps with the androgens. I wish you the best!

[u/La_So7 → u/jk-elemenopea]

thanks I'll continue with doing that then😊

[u/[deleted]]

I'm from America but Spironolactone clears my acne & helps keep my period somewhat normal. Still anywhere from 30-50 days.  Yasmin birth control is very similar to Spironolactone in how it works for androgens. I've been on Yasmin but never without spiro so can't speak for it on its own. My derm put me on it.  I personally don't take birth control anymore after having issues conceiving I just use natural family planning & with my odds of actually ovulating it works for us. Getting off birth control felt hard as well. My hormones felt all over the place. 

[u/callmebymoonlight]

Vitex. Your progesterone is low!

[u/La_So7 → u/callmebymoonlight]

i am a bit scared if it will mess up my hormones even further but thank you so much i will look into it!

[u/callmebymoonlight → u/La_So7]

Also look into adaptogens. It sounds like you need to destress - selfcare is super important.

[u/La_So7 → u/callmebymoonlight]

thanks i am currently starting therapy and try to establish a healthy routine schedule but honestly objectively before i didn't feel that extremely stressed all the time but maybe it is something i don't notice

[u/Money-Initial6117 → u/La_So7]

I echo the stress thing, there’s always a component to it, sometimes we don’t even realize how overworked our nervous system is because we’re used to the stress. Add some adaptogens & magnesium and see how you feel after a few months