Introduction:
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a complex disorder caused by fluctuations in the hormonal profile. There are several manifestations of the condition, of which hair loss is one.
PCOS hair loss can be rather traumatizing, at a physical as well as an emotional level. It is essential to recognise and diagnose the condition correctly and on time and start the proper treatment promptly.
Table of Contents
What is PCOS?
When you have PCOS, tiny sacs of fluid called cysts are formed in the ovary. The cysts contain immature eggs known as follicles, which fail to release eggs.
Timely diagnosis and prompt treatment will help deal with all the symptoms and reduce your risk of long-term complications that are associated with PCOS.
PCOS – At A Glance!
If you have PCOS, then you have elevated levels of the male hormones, which trigger the following –
- Irregular periods, scanty flow, too few periods, too heavy or no periods.
- Irregular bleeding from the vagina
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Acne flares-ups
- Pigmentation of the skin
- Putting on weight
- Mood swings, depression and anxiety
How will I know if I have PCOS?
The following clinical features help with diagnosing PCOS –
- Irregular periods – irregular periods, i.e., having few periods or periods that last longer than normal, are the chief signs of PCOS.
- Elevated level of androgens in the body – when androgen levels shoot, the clinical manifestations of PCOS become apparent – you will see facial and body hair. It will also trigger severe acne along with significant hair loss and balding.
- Polycystic ovaries – the sonogram will show cysts in the ovaries, and the ovaries may not function normally.
How does PCOS cause hair loss?
Those who suffer from PCOS have raised levels of androgens which is the chief cause of hair thinning, dull and lifeless hair, hair loss, and balding.
Understanding PCOS-related Hair Loss.
Oscillations in the hormone profile of an individual who has PCOS cause androgenic alopecia; these are the characteristics:
- Hair loss typically occurs at the front and side of the scalp.
- The hair parting becomes very wide.
- Hair recedes way above the temples.
Dealing with hair loss and balding that’s related to PCOS is rather tricky. You must never neglect and address the problem promptly.
Your gynaecologist will carry out several investigations and tests to first normalize your hormone profile. You will then be prescribed various medicines and hormone-regulatory drugs to ensure the hormones do not fluctuate and the period becomes regular.
A trichologist will start treatment in conjunction with this treatment regimen to stop hair loss and help with hair restoration.
PCOS and Hair Loss: What is the Connection?
Hair thinning, hair loss and balding are known to affect 1 in 3 women who’ve been diagnosed with PCOS. PCOS is linked to female pattern hair loss and balding.
Female-pattern hair loss is androgenic alopecia, with hair thinning occurring at the parting, crown, and diffusely all over the head.
Rarely, the hair loss associated with PCOS may look like this –
- Alopecia areata – patches of hair loss on the scalp.
- Lichen planopilaris – bald patches develop on the scalp, which may be painful and/or itchy.
What does PCOS hair loss look like?
When you have PCOS, you will lose a lot of hair on an everyday basis. You will see way more hair in the comb, on your pillow, and in the drain. Hair may come out in clumps occasionally.
Why does PCOS Cause Hair Loss? – The Medical Explanation
The chief culprit for PCOS hair loss is elevated levels of the male hormone androgen – testosterone. This is what testosterone does to the hair and scalp –
- It binds to the receptors in the hair follicle, and this triggers hair loss.
- The 5 AR enzyme converts Testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). High DHT levels in the blood adversely affect hair follicles. DHT makes the hair follicles shrink and shrivel, and the hair becomes miniaturised, eventually resulting in hair loss and balding.
Features of PCOS hair loss
PCOS-related hair loss occurs when shedding occurs from the root when the entire hair with the follicle emerges. Alongside, there will also be hair breakage. The scalp will be more visible, especially at the crown and parting. The hair also tends to be extremely frizzy and dull-looking.
The scalp is also dry, unhealthy, and itchy. There may also be a greasy build-up and loads of dandruff. The hair is very fine, with no body or volume at all.
Can PCOS-related Hair loss be reversed?
There is no cure for PCOS. However, treatment will ameliorate the symptoms and your quality of life.
PCOS-related hair loss, when treated promptly, can be managed well. Once the hormone imbalance is corrected, hair loss will be stopped. Once hair loss is under control, your trichologist will prescribe a treatment plan for hair restoration.
Treatment Plan for PCOS hair loss
Comprehensive treatment is necessary to manage hair loss in PCOS. An integrated approach is needed to manage the condition successfully.
What your Gynecologist will Advise
Your gynaecologist will prescribe medications to manage PCOS well and to regularize your hormone profile. You will be prescribed oral contraceptives and antiandrogen medicines to help allay the symptoms.
Anti-diabetes medications are also frequently prescribed to regulate insulin levels and help people lose weight. All these medicines have a positive impact on hormonal rhythm and hair loss.
To effectively manage your disorder, you must adopt a healthy lifestyle, including a wholesome diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques.
What your Trichologist will Advise
There is a whole host of hair loss treatments available. Your doctor will curate a hair care plan for you comprising of medications, both oral and topical, over-the-counter remedies, specialized shampoos and conditioners, supplements to boost hair health, and minimally invasive procedures such as PRP and GFC.
The doctor’s treatment regimen aims to revive and regenerate the hair follicles, stop hair loss, boost hair growth, deal with dandruff, and restore hair.
An Integrated Approach
- Treating PCOS-related hair loss requires a comprehensive approach. You need medications to manage the hormone profile, medicines to ensure the period cycle is regular, a good diet menu, supplements, a hair care routine, using the right products, and exercise.
- It will take 6 to 9 months for you to see substantial results.
- You must be dedicated to the medicine schedule and the hair care regimen.
A comprehensive treatment regimen for PCOS hair loss
Hair thinning and loss linked to hormonal imbalances need an all-embracing treatment regime.
- You must eat a wholesome, well-balanced diet that provides all the vital nutrients and powerful antioxidants. You may also need to supplement your diet with certain vitamins and minerals, which will radically optimize hair health. Confer with your doctor; he will prescribe the right dosage of the supplements. You must also include plenty of foods that maintain the natural rhythm of hormones and keep the hair happy.
- Foods that are packed with magnesium, calcium, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, and A are superfoods that promise healthy hair growth. You could also talk to your doctor and start a supplement for these nutrients.
- Iron deficiency is a predominant cause of hair thinning and hair loss, and women with PCOS characteristically have lower iron levels in their bodies. You must load up on iron-rich foods and/or embark on iron supplementation—it will very quickly end hair loss.
- An important aspect of good hair care is choosing the right hair products. Doctor-approved products are the best because they serve your specific needs. Shampoos, conditioners, and serums that contain keratin, collagen, and peptides are highly beneficial for hair.
- Stay away from heat styling. High temperatures from the blow dryer, straightener, or curler wreck havoc on your hair and scalp. Likewise, nasty chemicals from hair colors, dyes, perms, and relaxers damage hair.
Auxiliary Management
Auxiliary management for PCOS is pivotal in successfully operating the chief treatment regimen. The auxiliary treatment supports the core treatment, improves efficiency, and boosts quicker recovery.
Home remedies for PCOS hair loss
Home remedies help manage PCOS hair loss well.
- Onion
The Onion is a superhero when it comes to hair care! Experts recommend massaging onion juice into the scalp and leaving it on for an hour. It prevents hair loss and breakage, encourages amazing hair growth, fights scalp infections, and boosts blood circulation in the scalp.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a wonderful cleanser for hair and scalp. It detoxes the scalp and cleans the strands, dramatically improving hair health.
- Coconut Milk
Coconut milk is brilliant! It energises, rejuvenates and brings the hair follicles back to life. Massaging your scalp with coconut milk makes the scalp healthy, gives a ton of nourishment, and gives you shiny, smooth hair!
Supplements to boost hair growth
Supplementing the diet with certain specific vitamins and minerals will help deal with deficiencies quickly and can help intensify the hair restoration plan.
Integrate iron, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins B, C, and A into your schedule. Discuss with your trichologist before taking any supplements.
You must know which is best for you and what dosage you need. Even if a supplement is sold over the counter, potencies and concentrations vary, and you need to know what’s the best fit for you.
hair care products to manage the Hair Loss Better
Use doctor-approved moisturizing shampoos and conditioners to keep the hair healthy, fight dandruff, protect the hair, stop thinning, and encourage new hair growth.
Your products should strengthen the weak hair, repair damage, thicken your hair, boost hair density, and increase hair resilience.
Use combs and brushes with natural bristles, which are soft and gentle on hair and scalp. Do not pull and tug at your hair too much—it will trigger hair shedding and breakage. Also, do not tie the hair in too tight ponytails.
Lifestyle Changes to Manage PCOS Hair Loss
Following a healthy lifestyle pattern and making healthy lifestyle choices and alterations go a really long way in helping deal with PCOS and all the related symptoms.
- Lose weight – being overweight and obese increases your risk of developing PCOS, aggravating the symptoms and setting off complications. Thus, it is crucial to get your weight under control.
PCOS and weight gain are strongly interrelated. It should be your top priority to reduce your weight. Reducing weight helps bring the hormones back into their normal rhythm and helps battle the symptoms of PCOS well.
In fact, studies show that losing 2 to 5 kgs of body weight can almost immediately stop hair loss.
- Eat a healthy diet—A balanced, wholesome diet is key to overall health. Eat foods that have a low glycemic index—this will ensure your blood sugar levels stay within the normal range. Research shows that those with PCOS show elevated levels of blood sugar. Incorporate loads of fruits, salads, and protein into your diet.
- Exercise regularly—Daily exercise will help you lose excess weight, reduce sugar levels, and decrease androgen levels. Studies show that an aerobic workout helps the cells use insulin better, while weight training reduces androgen levels.
FAQs
PCOS is fairly common, affecting approximately 10 to 20 % of women in the childbearing age bracket.
Yes, hair loss related to PCOS can be reversed if the underlying cause is quickly diagnosed and promptly treated. The hormonal imbalances in PCOS need to be corrected quickly. Medications, dietary modifications, and lifestyle changes yield brilliant results. Your endocrinologist and trichologist will curate a healthcare schedule for you, which will help you combat the issue.
Women who have PCOS experience female-pattern hair loss. Typically, there is diffuse hair thinning and loss, hair loss at the parting and crown, and receding at the temples.
Additionally, you will see weight gain and irregular menstrual bleeding.
You must discuss this with your healthcare provider and conduct a few tests and investigations to ascertain the precise cause so that prompt treatment can be started.
The following clinical features confirm PCOS –
- Irregular periods, scanty periods, heavy periods, too few periods.
- Weight gain and obesity
- irregular ovulation that is indicated by irregular menses.
- High levels of androgen in the blood.
- Raised blood sugar levels
- Multiple tiny cysts in the ovaries are seen in the sonogram.
- Increased body and facial hair
- Hair loss
- Acne flares-ups
Studies show a strong link between low vitamin D levels and a high susceptibility to developing female-pattern hair loss. Supplementing your diet with the vitamin helps stop hair loss and, over time, boosts hair growth.
Stress is by far the biggest contributor to hormone imbalances and irregularities. When exposed to stress, your body will synthesize and release stress hormones which wreak havoc on all other hormones, including the reproductive hormones.
Cortisol is a stress hormone which affects the quantity and activity of other hormones in the body. Imbalanced cortisol levels affect blood sugar levels, sex hormones, and the thyroid profile. Stress and PCOS are closely related.
Cortisol and DHEA levels are greatly elevated in women who have PCOS as compared to those women who are healthy. Stress plays a silent role in the pathogenesis as well as aggravation of PCOS and its complications.
As a consequence, hair loss related to PCOS gets aggravated too. Medications and interventions to tackle stress well will most definitely reduce the severity of your PCOS symptoms as well as thwart the onset of complications.
Zinc is a vital mineral with significant biological functions in the body. The mineral pivots cellular growth and multiplication, a healthy immune mechanism, quick wound healing, and balancing the hormone profile. In women, zinc regulates egg cell growth, fertility, and pregnancy.
Studies show the level of zinc in women who have PCOS is markedly lower.
Clinical trials have been demonstrative of the fact that, supplementation of zinc every day for about 1 to 2 months improves the symptoms of PCOS – period irregularities and hair loss.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you need to have your treatment regimen monitored carefully.
Ensure that you have all the hormones checked and assessed on time. Talk to your doctor and get your prolactin, 3 kinds of oestrogen, and FSH levels assessed. In-depth pathology testing is the best way to address and treat the problem well.
The hormone rhythm fluctuates over the month, and correctly interpreting the results is important. This ensures that the hormone profile stays normal, your gynaecologist will oversee the prescription, and the trichologist can better evaluate your response to the treatment plan.
