Causes of hair loss in PCOs

Before understanding the cause of hair loss we need to know what exactly is PCOS!

PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a disorder where due to imbalance in hormones androgens secretion increases.

It comes with a range of symptoms such as menstrual abnormalities,hirsutism or excess of body and facial hair, acne, androgenic alopecia, obesity and metabolic syndromes.

While many people experience hirsutism, some also abnormalities like thinning of hair and hair loss. Though this problem is just cosmetic it can affect a person mentally and thereby physically.

Reasons why PCOS cause hair loss

PCOS increases production of male hormone called androgen in the body, which includes testosterone. Androgens play a vital role in triggering puberty. This hormone stimulates hair growth in the underarms and pubic areas. They also have other important functions.

Thus, with the rise in androgen level, females start developing musculine features. This includes hair growth in the areas where it doesn’t grow usually, such as face, chest, neck and abdomen.

Extra androgen level can also cause thinning of the hair on the head, especially on the frontal side of the scalp, this phenomenon is also known as androgenic alopecia or female pattern hair loss.

Remedies to get back the hair

The hair won’t grow back on its own, whereas with proper medication and treatment you can stimulate hair growth. Even there are many other methods to mask the hair loss-

Here are certain ways:

1. Oral Contraceptive Pills

Birth Control Pills lower down androgen level and thus can reduce the hair loss problem. It can treat other symptoms related to PCOS such as irregular periods and acne.

It is often prescribed in combination with anti-androgen pills to treat hair loss problems.

1. Spironolactone (Aldactone)

Spironolactone, also called aldosterone receptor antagonist is a diuretic to treat fluid retention. This drug is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

It can also be used to treat androgenetic alopecia. It blocks the effect of androgen on skin and is prescribed with oral contraceptive.

• Finasteride (Propecia) and dutasteride (Avodart)

This is an FDA certified drug for male pattern baldness and not for females. Whereas, few doctors prescribe them to treat women with PCOS.

But most of the doctors don’t consider these drugs as a proper medication to treat women with PCOS because of its mixed results and side effects shown on women.

1. Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Minoxidil is the only drug certified by FDA to treat female pattern baldness. This is a tropical treatment and is applied on the scalp directly. It promotes hair growth and gives a thicker appearance.

• Hair transplant

This is a surgical method to implant hair. Hair and hair follicles from an area with dense hair is transplanted to the area losing hair due to the hair fall. It involves a standard procedure and is done under the supervision of experts.

However non- surgical hair transplant methods are also very common nowadays, it is much less painful procedure and can be achieved easily.

There are even certain home remedies to stimulate the hair growth, such as-

1. Zinc

Zinc supplements can be beneficial for PCOS-related hair loss, according to a study in 2016.The study observed the effects of zinc supplementation on PCOS and found out that, using 50 mg of zinc daily for 8 weeks had beneficial effects on hair loss. It was also beneficial for hirsutism.

1. Weight Loss

Weight loss can lower the level of androgen and thereby helps in reducing the high androgen symptoms related with PCOS. Which also means the rate of hair loss will decrease significantly.

1. Biotin

Biotin is a popular supplement used for hair health and growth. There is no scientific proof that it helps to treat hair loss problems related to PCOS, but it might be beneficial.

There are many hair clinics providing hair replacement services, Just Hair in California is one of the leading clinics that provide high specialist services.