PCOS Hair Loss: Everything You Need to Know

PCOS hair loss also known as androgenic alopecia or female pattern hair loss can be quite common.  It is a symptom that many PCOS women struggle with and are looking for answers to.

A woman’s hair is part of her identity and women can feel emotional and vulnerable when they notice hair thinning and hair loss. Let’s take a detailed look at PCOS and hair loss and what options you have to combat it and get your healthy locks back.

Symptoms Of PCOS Hair Loss?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, some hair loss is normal. It is estimated that we shed about 50-100 hairs a day. If you notice that you are losing more hair than that, it could be due to PCOS or another underlying health concern like thyroid issues.

Some signs that you may be experiencing hair loss due to PCOS are:

• You have increased shedding

• Hair breakage

• Hair falling out in clumps especially with shampooing

• Receding hairline

• Thinning hair at the crown

• Scalp is drier and itchy

• Buildup of dandruff

• Your hair has become finer and your scalp may be visible

Why Does PCOS Cause Hair Loss?

PCOS can cause hair loss because of the excess androgens specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT).  DHT binds to receptors and causes hair follicles to shrink and become blocked.

The female hormone progesterone plays an important role in preventing hair loss.

Since the majority of women with PCOS have irregular menstrual cycles and do not ovulate, they are not getting the benefits of progesterone.

Progesterone is only created in the body after a woman ovulates or when you conceive to help maintain a pregnancy. 

This is why female pattern hair loss is often seen in women after menopause. And why women who are pregnant have shiny, healthy hair.

Is PCOS Hair Loss Reversible?

Hormonal hair loss can be tricky and complicated. If you are able to restore and balance your hormones then you should be able to regrow your hair.

However, hair regrowth takes a long time and you must be patient. 

The good news is that there are treatments that you can try to help with regrowth and to help with thinning hair.

Nutrition For Hair Loss

Nutrition plays an essential role in your overall health which impacts your hair.

Did you know that your hair is the last place in the body that absorbs nutrition?

So it is important to make sure you are eating healthy and providing your hair cells with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to grow.

Certain nutritional deficiencies in iron (commonly known as anemia), zinc, protein, and biotin can impact your hair structure and growth. 

So what foods can help with hair loss and should you be eating?

There are several foods you should incorporate into your diet.

Eggs are a solid choice as they are a great protein source and are a good source of biotin.

Healthy fats like omega 3 fatty acids are also wonderful for your hair, skin, nails and heart health.

Vitamin D is very important for immune health and functioning so adding vitamin D fortified foods to your diet is a smart choice as well.

Also, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will also supply your body with vital nutrients.

It is also necessary to note that restrictive diets like the keto diet can cause harm to your hair. These crash diets can cause undue stress to the body and shock your system and exacerbate hair loss.

The most critical thing you can do is to eat a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates a variety of foods.

Supplements To Prevent Hair Loss

While supplements aren’t going to cure hair loss they can help to protect and strengthen new growth.

It is important to stimulate and protect the new growth from damage so it looks healthy and thick. Your hair is constantly in a growing and resting cycle. 

Supplements will again take time and consistency but they can make improvements in your locks. It is suggested that you stick with supplements for at least 6 months (consistently- everyday) to see results.

You want to focus on supplements that include iron, zinc, biotin, vitamins D, A, and C.

IRON

If you have an iron deficiency or known as being anemic, then you should think about taking an iron supplement or a multivitamin with iron in it. Anemia can cause hair loss.

ZINC

Studies have shown that zinc supplementation can improve PCOS hair loss. After 8 weeks of supplementation with 50mg of zinc, women with PCOS noticed an improvement in hair loss and hirsutism.

BIOTIN

Biotin is a b-vitamin that is often found in hair, skin, and nail supplements. The research is limited on its effectiveness but this one study seemed to show its benefits in restoring hair growth.

VITAMINS D, A, and C

These vitamins aid in immune health and supply the body with antioxidants that are needed to promote healthy hair. While there are no direct studies surrounding these supplements and hair growth, they aid in your overall health which will improve your hair’s health.

Top Supplement Choices For PCOS Hair Loss:

There are a ton of supplements on the market for hair loss. It can be overwhelming with all of the choices.

So I went down the rabbit hole for you and looked at ones that were well-reviewed by dermatologists as well as women and that contained the vitamins that you need.

I did my research and wanted to focus on ones that supported growth, thickness, and that helped with thinning hair.

Below you will see my top choices for women who are looking to help with regrowth and thickness, thinning, and hair loss.

Nutrafol for Women

Why I chose this supplement:

This supplement is great because it has everything you need and has shown to be effective in studies. 86% of women saw improved hair growth and 84% saw stronger hair after 6 months of use. This supplement is constantly winning awards and recommended by dermatologists.

Best for women who want to have thick, healthy regrowth.

Viviscal: 

Why I chose this supplement:

This supplement reduces thinning hair and promotes existing growth. It is a 100% drug-free formula. In clinical studies, women saw a 32% increase in the number of hairs and 39% decrease in hair loss after 3 months.

Best for women with hair loss.

OUAI:

Why I chose this supplement:

This supplement helps to strengthen and prevent breakage of existing hair. It contains all of the vitamins and minerals that you need to nourish thinning hair.

Best for women with thinning hair.

Click the image to get started!

What Can You Do To Make PCOS Hair Loss Less Noticeable?

As you have learned, hair growth takes time. But let’s be real, being patient about this is just not realistic. Hair loss can make you very vulnerable and insecure. The last thing you want is someone to notice your thin spots. To help you while your hair is trying to regrow, there are ways to make hair loss less noticeable.

• Try using an anti-dandruff shampoo to clean the scalp and reduce inflammation. Scalp inflammation can cause the hair follicle to become damaged.

• You can also try a volumizing/thickening spray to build volume in thin hair. This one had amazing reviews and is considered to be one of the best.

• You can try styling your hair in a different way. Play with your part and try to hide thin areas.

• Try your best to avoid using excessive heat when styling your hair. Excessive heat can cause breakage and damage the hair follicles.

• Getting a haircut that is shorter and that incorporates layers can make your hair look fuller and healthier.

• If you need more coverage consider hair extensions or a wig. They make ones that look so realistic. People might never ever know you have an issue with hair thinning or loss.

Hair Loss Treatment For PCOS

When eating a healthy diet and supplements aren’t cutting the mustard, there are other options for women who experience PCOS hair thinning.

Here are some medical treatments for PCOS hair loss.

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Rogaine has been shown to promote hair growth. It works by extending the hair’s growing cycle.

It is the only FDA approved drug for treating female pattern baldness.

It is available in foam and a solution. If you want to try minoxidil, try the foam as it is less irritating.

Laser Comb

While this is a more expensive option, this can be done in the comfort of your own home.

 This comb uses targeted low-level laser lights to stimulate hair growth. This comb is FDA-cleared and uses 12 medical-grade lasers to target hair follicles directly by parting your hair to ensure the light reaches your scalp.

The treatment only takes 8 minutes and should be done three times a week to see results. You can expect to start seeing results in 12-16 weeks.

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is a prescription medication that is a diuretic that has anti-androgen features. It works by blocking dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from entering into the hair follicle.

A lot of medical professionals will use this in combination with the birth control pill to reduce excess androgens.

It is important to note that spironolactone should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Spironolactone doesn't come without side effects such as dizziness and the need to urinate frequently.

As with anything, you should always discuss the pros and cons of medications with your doctor.

Oral Contraceptive Pills

Oral contraceptives also commonly referred to as the birth control pill are frequently prescribed by doctors for PCOS because they can help reduce androgens and give you a regular menstrual cycle while you are on the pills.

Just make sure you educate yourself about the birth control pill for PCOS because it can increase insulin resistance which is one of the major drivers of PCOS.

Hair Transplant

A hair transplant one would be one of the last resorts in my opinion because it is a surgery or (surgeries) and it can be very costly and is usually not covered by insurance. Hair transplants are considered cosmetic procedures.

There is also no guarantee that the procedure will take. The procedure involves taking hair from one area and transplanting them into an area that is bald or thinning.

Learn how to manage your PCOS on your own terms! All the resources you need to kick PCOS’ ass in one guide!!

Summing Up Hair Loss and PCOS

Hair loss due to PCOS can be addressed through nutrition, supplements, styling techniques and products, and medical treatments.

Do not lose hope. There are a lot of things that you can try, and, if one doesn’t work you can always try another one.

If you are looking to help balance your hormones and reverse your symptoms naturally then make sure you check out the PCOS TOOLKIT, the only resource you need to help you take control of your PCOS.

The items listed above are accompanied by affiliate links, meaning I earn a small commission if a purchase is made through my links. This has no impact on the cost to the consumer. I link to products this way whenever possible, and it has no bearing on the products I choose to review or recommend.

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