I lost locks and locks of hair each day after being diagnosed with PCOS. I literally know how I lost all that hair.
I have male pattern baldness – this has been my most embarrassing symptom.
Where I part my hair, it is like I have shaved that area – you can see my scalp!! At this rate, I’d go bald very soon. A nice and a shiny bald head, because that is how much hair I am losing.
These are just some of the messages that we receive on our facebook community page!! It distresses to see that our Cysters are facing this. Let us help you understand what makes you lose your hair in PCOS.
Women lose their hair throughout their lifetime-either because of age, certain disease conditions, and hormonal changes. The pattern in which the hair loss occurs over a female scap is characteristic and termed as “female pattern baldness”
But have you ever wondered why PCOS hair loss is called as Male Pattern Baldness? It is because here its attributed to excess production of male hormones. So this means you will see hair loss which is prominent above the forehead. Hence, it’s important that such areas are taken care off by sparing it from aggressively washing, shampooing or combing. Since, this kind of hair fall is more or less due to hormonal imbalance, your doctor will mostly help you manage this by recommending several hormonal agents.
Drugs Prescribed For PCOS Hair Loss Include
Following drugs are recommended for hair-loss associated with PCOS
- Oral contraceptives: (birth control pills or BCP) in combination with spironolactone
- Combination of BCP and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are a class of compounds that have anti-androgen (male sex hormone) activity.
- Combination of BCP and flutamide: Flutamide is a non-steroidal anti-androgen.
- Minoxidil: Minoxidil opens potassium channels and widens blood vessels. This helps better transport and supply of nutrients to the hair follicles thereby stimulating hair growth.
- Finasteride: This drug blocks the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
- Metformin: It is mainly used as an adjunct (helper) along with any of the above-mentioned drugs. The insulin-sensitizing activity of metformin may help other drugs work better.
Talk to your doctor, to know about these medications. Do not take any of these medications unless prescribed by your doctor.
Simple Hair Care Tips to Deal with PCOS Hair Loss
- Regularly apply shampoo to your hair to maintain clean and healthy hair and scalp
- Use a good quality conditioner to remove tangles
- Use a wide toothed comb
- Blow dry with care and use rollers and straighteners in moderation
- Loosely tie your hair, without applying much pressure as it can cause hair fall
