PCOS hair loss, also called androgenic alopecia, can be extremely frequent. It is a condition that many women who have PCOS battle with, and they are searching for answers to the question. Other names for this type of hair loss include female pattern baldness.
What Are the PCOS Hair Loss Symptoms?
The American Academy of Dermatology states that some level of hair loss is considered normal. We are believed to lose between 50 and 100 hairs per day on average. Observing shedding more hair may be related to PCOS or other underlying medical issues such as thyroid disorders. The following are some symptoms that you could be suffering from hair loss as a result of PCOS:
- Increased thinning
- Hair breakage
- The loss of large chunks of hair, especially after shampooing the hair.
- Thinning of the hairline
- Thinning hair around the top of the head
- Itchy and dry flaking of the scalp
- Accumulation of dandruff
- You might be able to see some of your scalps.
Why Does Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Cause Hair Loss?
Because of the high levels of androgens, particularly dihydrotestosterone, PCOS is a potential cause of hair loss (DHT). DHT stimulates hair follicles to contract and get blocked by binding to receptors, which in turn causes hair loss. Progesterone, which is only found in women, is a hormone that significantly reduces hair loss.
Due to their inability to ovulate and erratic menstrual cycles, most women with PCOS do not reap the beneficial effects of progesterone. The body does not produce progesterone until after ovulation or once a person has become pregnant. This is one reason why female hair thinning is commonly found in women after they have gone through menopause. And this is why pregnant women’s hair is so glossy and full of life.
Is There a Cure for PCOS Hair Loss?
Loss of hair due to hormones can be a challenging and perplexing issue. You may be able to regenerate hair by bringing your hormone levels back into equilibrium. However, hair restoration is a slow process, so you will need to be patient during this time. The good thing is that you can attempt therapies that promote hair regrowth and reduce hair thinning.
Treatment For PCOS-Related Hair Thinning
Some of the most popular methods for addressing hair loss caused by polycystic ovary syndrome are the following.
Oral Contraceptive Medications
To manage the symptoms of PCOS, experts will frequently prescribe birth control medications. These pills suppress levels of androgen, which in turn reduces the amount of excess hair development and slows down the rate of hair loss.
These medications also treat other symptoms associated with PCOS, such as acne and irregular periods. Oral contraceptives and an anti-androgen medication are typically prescribed to patients to treat PCOS-related hair thinning.
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
An aldosterone receptor antagonist, also known as spirolactone, is a type of medicine that can be taken orally. The treatment of androgenetic alopecia can benefit greatly from the usage of this. It is recommended that this medication be taken in conjunction with a contraceptive pill to block the impacts of androgen.
Minoxidil (Rogaine)
For treating female pattern baldness, minoxidil is the only medicine approved by the FDA. You should apply this topical medication to your scalp every day. Your hair will grow thicker and healthier as a result of this.
Finasteride and Dutasteride
Even though the FDA recommends these two treatments for male pattern baldness, many specialists may choose to utilize them to address PCOS-related hair loss in their patients.
Although several studies have shown that these two drugs effectively address female pattern hair thinning, many industry professionals believe that women taking them may experience some unwanted side effects.
Hair Transplant
Surgically implanting hair into the scalp is known as a hair transplant. When you undergo hair transplantation, hair follicles are taken from an area of your head that contains a large number of hairs and placed in a region of your head where you are losing hair.
Is There Any Test That Can Diagnose Androgenic Alopecia?
Androgenic alopecia is most commonly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), yet this condition is not the only factor responsible. Other states, such as those listed below, can also cause alterations in hormone levels and result in female pattern hair thinning.
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Hormone-regulating contraceptives with a high androgen index
- Androgen-producing tumors of the adrenal and pituitary gland.
- Certain autoimmune disorders, such as Addison’s disease and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.
Your healthcare physician will run various tests to narrow the possibilities of what is causing your androgenic alopecia. This is because there are numerous potential causes.
When You Should See a Medical Professional
Androgenic alopecia does not pose a health risk and is not necessarily a reason to be alarmed. Once the root cause of the ailment has been determined, it can frequently be treated, even though it is distressing.
Beginning treatment is likely to have better outcomes than delaying treatment until the level of hair loss gets severe. There are different alopecia kinds, and some require rapid medical intervention. This encompasses the inflammatory disorder known as cicatricial alopecia, which kills the oil glands and stem cells, resulting in scarring and irreversible hair loss.
Immediately consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare professional if any of the following symptoms develop:
- Rapid and dramatic thinning of your hair.
- Redness, irritation, scaling, or alterations in scalp pigmentation accompany your hair loss.
- Swollen, pus-filled pimples or pimple-like lesions on your scalp, and hair loss as a result.
The treatment for cicatricial alopecia is contingent on determining the condition’s underlying cause. Oral antibiotics such as doxycycline, oral immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine found in Sandimmune, topical steroids such as fluocinolone found in Vanos, and injectable steroids such as triamcinolone acetonide may be used in the treatment.
Conclusion
Progesterone and estrogen are two of the essential hormones for hair growth. The ovaries generate a lower number of such hormones and instead release higher male hormones, which are the root cause of hair loss in PCOS patients. Altering your lifestyle and the foods you eat can help you achieve hormonal harmony and stimulate healthy hair growth.
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