Is Hormonal Hair Loss Reversible
Alternatively, if you do want to take the hormonal route, the best PCOS hair loss treatment involves antiandrogens. You can try medications such as spironolactone, finasteride and flutamide. However, many of these medications are not recommended for use during pregnancy, and may be complemented alongside oral contraceptives.
The good news is, if you do become pregnant, you may even notice temporary added hair growth! Always ask your doctor about hormones some are best taken with products such as Rogaine , but its entirely up to you and the medical professionals.
Pcos And Hair Fall Causes
- Small areas of hair loss take place. Fragile and thin hair strands develop
- Bald patches begin to develop
- Hair becomes thin, fuzzy and almost invisible
But PCOS hair loss regrowth success is possible by balancing hormone levels and reviving hair follicles. How does one go about this? Research suggests that one can achieve this by adopting a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, a low-carb diet with a good amount of protein and management of stress as part of a treatment.
How To Grow Your Hair Back If You Have Pcos
Is there a way to grow your hair back if you have PCOS?
Is there a way to stop the hair loss that is already occurring?
The answer is maybe, but it depends on how you focus treatment.
Remember:
PCOS is predominately a disease of your hormones and all of the symptoms of PCOS are manifestations of these imbalances.
If hair loss is predominately a symptom of disordered hormone imbalances then the treatment for hair loss MUST focus on hormone balancing.
Does this make sense?
This means that there is potentially a place for the use of hormones, supplements and even medications in the treatment of hair loss in PCOS.
Before you start thinking about using these therapies you need to stop and ask yourself a few questions:
#1. Are you managing your stress?
#2. Are you eating healthy & Is your diet in order?
#3. Are you reducing the amount of refined sugar that you eat?
#4. Are you exercising regularly?
#5. Are you sleeping 8 hours per night?
Before you jump into using supplements and medications these factors MUST be managed.
In fact, in terms of importance, they are probably the most important things that you can do to manage hair loss.
Once you get those in order you are ready to jump into other therapies:
#1. Managing Hormone Imbalances to Improve Hair Growth
Whenever possible it’s important to identify which hormone imbalances are present in your body.
This will require some testing on your part .
Managing Thyroid Dysfunction:
#2. Optimizing Hair Regrowth Nutrients
Read Also: Can The Keto Diet Cause Hair Loss
Psychological Aspects Of Hirsutism And Pcos
Dealing with hirsutism and PCOS can be emotionally difficult. You may feel unfeminine, uncomfortable, or self-conscious about your excessive hair growth or weight, as well as worried about your ability to have children. Even though you may be embarrassed to share these feelings with other people, it is very important to talk with your physician as soon as possible to explore the medical and cosmetic treatments available to treat these disorders. It also is important for you to realize that these are very common problems experienced by many women.
Can Hair Loss From Pcos Be Reversed
Yes, the good news is that hair loss from PCOS can be reversed! There are treatments available that can help to balance hormones, prevent further damage, and stimulate hair growth. However, finding the solution can be a long process, and it may require some experimentation with different medical and at-home remedies.
Read Also: Does Benlysta Cause Hair Loss
Lifestyle Changes To Fight Acne And Hair Loss
Dr Gupta says that tamping down inflammation is important to reduce the intensity of the symptoms. Include leafy greens, seasonal fruits, high fat foods, nuts and seeds. Switch to a nutrient-rich diet with whole foods, less of refined and processed foods which are also heavy on preservatives. Stay away from carb-laden foods like white rice, potatoes, cakes and milk chocolates and cut down on sugar consumption to see a marked difference in your skin and hair texture, she says. Since weight gain and insulin resistance is another byproduct of PCOS, reducing these markers can go a long way in reversing the end result. Exercise is key tooit can lower blood sugar levels and prevent insulin issues. Reducing stress through exercise, meditation and other forms of mindfulness helps to deal with microstressors, which help to control the adrenal and cortisol levels of the body too.
Experts recommend supplementing the diet with omega acids, zinc and biotin to facilitate hair growth from within. Inositols are carbohydrates that can influence the bodyâs insulin response, and when taken as a supplement may help improve metabolic and reproductive aspects of PCOS, explains Dr Gupta.
Read Also: How Often Should You Wash Thin Hair
Home Treatments For Pcos Hair Loss
Shampoos, conditioners, and good hair care
One of the best places to start if you are struggling with hair loss due to PCOS is by making sure that you are taking good care of your hair and scalp.
You can begin by investing in a good shampoo/conditioner combo that strengthens and protects your hair. Look for shampoos that have B vitamins and keratin, and try to stay away from shampoos with sulfates which tend to dry out the hair. You may even want to consult your hairstylist on the best products to use for your specific hair type.
To further protect your hair, its also a good idea to avoid using heated tools such as hair dryers, curlers, and flat irons. Chemical products like dyes, straighteners, and relaxers should also be avoided as they can be extremely damaging to hair already weakened from PCOS.
Brushes
Though it may seem like a small change, the brush you use can actually make a big difference in the health of your hair. Make sure to use a natural bristle brush. The most commonly recommended is a boar bristle brush because it is not only soft and gentle on your hair, but it can also help to stimulate your scalp.
If you have hair loss due to PCOS, you may be worried that brushing your hair might make it fall out more. To avoid this, keep the following tips in mind:
- Brush gently
- Try not to brush too often
- Never brush your hair when it is wet
Supplements
- Biotin
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
Healthy lifestyle
Also Check: What Hairstyle Is Best For Thin Hair
Other Ways To Stop Pcos Hair Loss
Besides Ayurvedic treatments, there are various therapies that you can use to stop PCOS hair loss. These include aromatherapy which restores the psychological and physical well-being in the shortest possible time.
Stress can be the worst enemy of women and hence, acts as a stimulant to PCOS. These Ayurvedic therapies make use of lavender, sandalwood, nutmeg, and other oils, which play a pivotal role in curing stress. As a result, it prevents PCOS hair loss.
In addition, scalp massage with the help of natural oils helps in not only relaxing but at the same time, ensures the strengthening of the hair follicles. A proper massage with essential oils once a week before bathing has long-lasting impacts.
You May Like: What To Take To Prevent Hair Loss
Pcos Hair Regrowth Success Stories
Brandy
Brandy Pope from the YouTube channel, The Glam Belle, began to notice that her hair was falling out more than normal when she washed it. After several years of dealing with gradually thinning hair alongside other symptoms, her doctor eventually diagnosed her with PCOS.
In a testimonial video on YouTube, Brandy explained that she endured several periods where her hair loss would get better and worse even after being prescribed PCOS medication.
However, in a follow-up video, Brandy shared that she did see improvements after using Rogaine for women and taking biotin, vitamin B12, and iron supplements. She also found that getting frequent trims was also helpful for managing her hairs overall appearance.
Clarissa
Clarissa from the YouTube channel, Clarissa Explains It Yall, also opened up about her PCOS hair loss story. Initially, she began to notice her hair thinning around her part and the crown of her head. This was then followed by bald spots forming around her crown.
To manage this hair loss, Clarissa found a mix of products and techniques to be beneficial. She began by taking Inositol supplements, which helped to thicken her hair while also preventing unwanted hair growth in other areas. She also used The Ordinary Brands multi-peptide serum to help with overall hair thickness.
Kie RaShon
You May Like: Can You Stop Your Hair From Thinning
Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Counter Pcos
Certain lifestyle changes can help reduce the impact of PCOS on your system. For instance, your diet! According to Dr Shah, Zinc reduces the effects of testosterone and androgens. Hence, it can be consumed as a supplement to arrest hair fall and boost new hair growth.
Similarly, biotin helps in hair growth and reduces hair fall. There is no clear data if biotin affects PCOS-induced hair fall, but it helps with hair loss and hair growth. Plus, when consumed in the proper quantity, it has virtually no side effects.
Another major aspect of winning the fight against PCOS is weight management. It is almost considered as the best treatment for PCOS as losing weight has been associated with lower levels of androgens in your body. Since there is no permanent cure for PCOS, managing it with a proper diet and healthy lifestyle can help counter its negative effect on your mane.
Written by Sumona Boseon Sep 23, 2020
1760
Is Hair Regrowth Possible After Hair Loss Due To Pcos
Yes! PCOS hair regrowth is possible if you can address the underlying hormonal imbalance. Once you are rightly diagnosed with PCOS by your doctor and you are put on PCOS treatment, you will notice a significant improvement in the symptoms along with regrowing your hair.
However, if your hair is already damaged, you will need a separate hair care regime to fix it. It may also take time depending on how fast your hair grows. Along with it, having nutritious food will help your hair to be stronger and lustrous.
Wrapping Up
PCOS hair loss is a common symptom among women with PCOS. The good news is, it can be treated when the underlying issue is addressed with medication and other lifestyle changes. Speak to your doctor to understand your PCOS treatment plan.
You May Like: Does Liver Problems Cause Hair Loss
Unwanted Hair Growth And Hair Loss
- flutamide
- finasteride
These medicines work by blocking the effects of “male hormones”, such as testosterone, and some also suppress production of these hormones by the ovaries.
A cream called eflornithine can also be used to slow down the growth of unwanted facial hair.
This cream does not remove hair or cure unwanted facial hair, so you may wish to use it alongside a hair removal product.
Improvement may be seen 4 to 8 weeks after treatment with this medicine.
But eflornithine cream is not always available on the NHS because some local NHS authorities have decided it’s not effective enough to justify NHS prescription.
If you have unwanted hair growth, you may also want to remove the excess hair by using methods such as plucking, shaving, threading, creams or laser removal.
Laser removal of facial hair may be available on the NHS in some parts of the UK.
Treatment Of Fphl In Hyperandrogenic Women
A recent Cochrane review noted that most studies of therapy in women with FPHL were of low quality, mainly due to bias in design or a small sample size and were only able to detect enough evidence to support the use of topical minoxidil in women with FPHL, although even then the effect size was small .
Topical minoxidil
Topical minoxidil is considered the first-line treatment of FPHL. Minoxidil is a potassium channel opener hypothesized to enhance angiogenesis and vasodilation, and to have anti-inflammatory and antiandrogenic effects . In animal studies, minoxidil shortens the telogen phase, resulting in premature entry of resting hair follicles into the anagen phase . The anagen phase is also prolonged and miniaturized follicles are enlarged with minoxidil, resulting in increased hair counts, weight, and density .
Antiandrogen therapy
When the patient has severe hair loss or hyperandrogenism, a combination of skin-directed and systemic therapy with an antiandrogen or 5-reductase inhibitor may enhance results . Although one meta-analysis suggested no significant improvement with either a 5-reductase inhibitor or antiandrogen , multiple small studies, case reports, and general prescribing practices suggest otherwise. More data with outcomes stratified by age, hair loss severity, and hyperandrogenism are needed to better understand the efficacy of these agents.
Finasteride
Dutasteride
Spironolactone
Flutamide
Cyproterone acetate
Don’t Miss: What Vitamin Should I Take For Hair Loss
What Can You Do For Pcos
In cases of male-pattern baldness, there’s a complete loss of the hair follicle, meaning hair can never grow back in that spot naturally. With female-pattern baldness, that’s not the casethe hair follicle remains alive, so there’s a possibility of restimulating hair growth with certain treatments.
According to Dr. Streicher, treatment plans for PCOS-related hair loss are often tailored to each specific patient, depending on how bothersome or severe the hair loss is. One of the most effective lines of treatment, according to Dr. Streicher and Dr. Smith, is the medication minoxidil, more commonly known as the brand Rogaine.
Starting a birth control regimen is another commonly-used tactic for treating PCOS and its various symptoms. “One of the mainstays in managing many of the effects of PCOS is birth control pills, which help lower testosterone by increasing sex-hormone-binding globulin,” says Dr. Smith. “However, this generally helps more with controlling hair growth…above the upper lip or chin.”
There are some other less-studied methods too: Dr. Streicher recommends trying a daily hair and scalp massage, as well as a newer treatment option that involves a low-level laser therapy to stimulate hair growth. The oral medication spironolactone, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, may also be prescribed to treat androgenic alopecia, though it’s not FDA-approved for this use.
How Do You Fight Hair Loss From Pcos
You can prevent hair loss while managing your PCOS health condition. Fighting PCOS related hair loss depends on two factors:
1. The quality of methods applied in PCOS treatment.
2. How PCOS treatment affects your body’s other functionalities.
Before deliberating the treatments for PCOS related hair loss, let us understand the four causes of PCOS:
1. Disrupted secretion of hormones in your endocrine system.
2. Your body cells fail to convert glucose from your blood into energy. It is called insulin resistance. It triggers your pancreas to produce extra insulin.
3. Rapid and excessive weight gain.
4. Psychological stress.
Therefore, PCOS-related hair loss can be cured if you target hormonal balance, insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and your mental health.
When, AYU – an international Ayurvedic research center, researched the efficacy of Ayurvedic treatment on infertility with PCOS, this is what they found. In the study, they involved patients who differed in physique, temperament, and habits. Among them, 87% of women were successfully cured without hair loss, and 62% of women had conceived within three months.
Read Also: Will Postpartum Hair Loss Grow Back