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Everything You Need to Know About PCOS Hair Loss

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 5 million US women. In this article, we will detail a few ways to treat PCOS hair loss.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 5 million US women and is described as one of the most common causes of female fertility problems.

PCOS can cause a long list of problems for women; one of the more distressing symptoms is hair loss. PCOS can cause female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenic alopecia (AGA). Androgenic alopecia caused by PCOS might appear as an overall thinning of hair.

For some women, this hair loss can be severe. In this article, we will detail a few ways to treat PCOS hair loss.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a reproductive hormonal disorder that can cause an enlargement of the ovaries and many small cyst growths on the ovaries. This hormonal imbalance and cystic growth on the ovaries can cause the malfunction of the reproductive organs.

The signs and symptoms of PCOS are:

  • Skipped or irregular periods
  • High levels of male hormones
  • Polycystic ovaries which cause the ovaries to malfunction

Excess levels of male hormones can also disrupt the menstrual cycle and can cause a lack of ovulation (which may result in missed periods). With a lack of proper ovulation, the balance of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, FSH, and LH is greatly disrupted and can affect fertility, complicate pregnancies, and trigger hair loss.  

Why does PCOS trigger hair loss?

Many of the unwanted symptoms of PCOS, including hair loss, is caused by an imbalance of hormones. Androgens are a group of hormones that play a role in both men and women.

However, androgens, such as testosterone, are more naturally plentiful in men and are associated with male traits. While a small amount of testosterone occurs naturally in women,  excess levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause severe acne, unwanted hair growth on the face or body (hirsutism), and hair loss. Women who deal with PCOS have increased levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT is one of the main reasons behind hair loss for both men and women.

Will PCOS hair loss grow back?

Because most of the symptoms of PCOS are caused by a hormonal imbalance, the best way to slow the rate of hair loss and encourage hair regrowth is to try and rebalance your reproductive hormones with the help of your doctor.

It is entirely possible that hair loss caused by PCOS will grow back. However, if the hormonal problem persists, you might be fighting an uphill battle. Speak with your doctor about addressing any hormone imbalances.

Related: Female Hair Loss: Can It Be Reversed? Those who have experienced PCOS hair loss might also require hair loss treatment in order to encourage new hair growth.

How to treat PCOS hair loss

Here are a few treatment options for PCOS-related hair loss. Speak with your doctor about these medical intervention suggestions and remember, StrutYours.com offers PCOS hair loss treatment for women online.

#1 Oral medications

Spironolactone: As we’ve mentioned before, excess androgen is the main culprit of PCOS hair loss. Spironolactone is an oral medication that has been found effective for treating androgenic alopecia by lowering androgen (testosterone and DHT) levels.

Oral Contraceptive Birth control, also known as oral contraceptives, may help to regulate the menstrual cycle, lower androgen levels, and might reduce hirsutism and hair loss. For the treatment of PCOS hair loss, both spironolactone and birth control are sometimes used together.

#2 Topical hair loss treatment

Minoxidil is the active ingredient in the well-known hair loss product Rogaine. This product helps to increase blood flow to the hair follicles which nudges them into the growth stage of the hair cycle. Combining the power of minoxidil and spironolactone has been found to be a sweet spot for female hair loss treatment. Every day, the doctors behind StrutYours.com prescribe our topical compounded hair loss formula, containing both minoxidil spironolactone, to help those with female pattern hair loss. If your PCOS hair loss is worrisome, book a free online consultation to see if our hair loss formula is right for you.

#3 Zinc supplementation

Studies have shown that supplementation of 50 mg of zinc may help improve PCOS hair loss. According to this 2016 study, participants with PCOS saw beneficial effects on PCOS-related hair loss after taking zinc a supplement daily for 8 weeks.

Speak with your doctor about your PCOS hair loss

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome should be managed and monitored by a physician.

There are many treatment options that may help control or minimize the symptoms of PCOS. Symptoms such as acne and hair loss can be reduced with the help of proper treatment.

StrutHealth.com treats both acne and hair loss online. If you are worried about your fertility with PCOS, speak to an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN) as these doctors can help support your efforts to ovulate and conceive.  

Strut Health Treats Hair Loss Online

If you’re worried about hair loss that is related to PCOS, you might be a good fit for Strut’s compounded hair loss formula that combines minoxidil, spironolactone, and tretinoin. This prescription formula helps to stimulate hair growth and lower levels of the shedding-causing hormone DHT.

Book a free online consultation with our medical doctors to see if our hair loss formula is right for you. Our formula may help to restore and protect the health of your hair.

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