Are you losing too much hair? Or the drain in your shower? If it feels like every time you grab your hairbrush more than a few hairs come along for the ride, you’re not going crazy – especially if this coincides with a new development of irregular periods, weight gain or hormonal acne. These could be the hallmarks of a disorder that affects a large portion of women – polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) – whose unwanted side effects include hair loss.
What Is PCOS and Why Does It Affect Your Hair?
Your hair loss is because PCOS is basically a hormonal imbalance. You naturally produce some androgen (male hormone), but for those with PCOS, the androgen levels in your body are through the roof. Our hair follicles on the head are quite sensitive to these male hormones, and a higher increase will cause your hair follicles to miniaturize-effectively shrinking-over time, leading to fine, slow-growing hair, ultimately, noticeable bald spots or receding hairline. PCOS hair loss typically looks more like male pattern baldness than normal hair loss, meaning you’ll lose hair on top of your head and temples instead of evenly across your scalp.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
Hats usually don’t fall in isolation-if it isn’t just thinning strands, you could also experience abnormal facial or body hair growth (known as hirsutism), jawline breakouts, weight gain resistant to exercise or diet, or the complete absence of your period or infrequent ones. Should you recognize most or some of the following, in combination with thinning hair, you’d probably do yourself a service by taking tests on hormone levels rather than blaming it on hair or season.
What Causes the Hormonal Imbalance?
The definitive trigger of PCOS remains unclear, although several contributing factors have been identified. One key cause is insulin resistance – when insulin isn’t used properly by the body, more is produced, prompting the ovaries to churn out more androgens (male hormones). The same with genetics, if there’s already a mother or sister suffering with PCOS then this may also contribute to having an increased chance of suffering with the issue as well. The underlying hormonal imbalance will then be amplified by continued stress and inflammation the can contribute to progressive hair thinning.
Can PCOS Hair Loss Be Reversed?
But the upside is that PCOS-related hair thinning isn’t necessarily irreversible. Treatment often means that hair regrowth occurs. This can take some time and usually involves several key actions.
Initially you’ll want to work with your doctor to get your PCOS under control. This can include therapies designed to lower insulin levels and suppress the excess androgens. You can also incorporate better dietary choices, exercise and sleep patterns into your life to support overall balance. For your hair specifically, over-the-counter remedies like minoxidil application may offer some help with hair loss and can spur new growth on the affected areas. If more potent treatment is needed, you may discuss with your gynecologist anti-androgen medications to curb the male hormone’s activity directly.
When Hair Loss Has Already Progressed?
If your thinning has lasted for a significant amount of time and your attempt to treat with home remedies and medications has failed to get you results that you are looking for, perhaps more robust methods must be used. PRP hair treatment that is developed with use of your own blood to provide with growth factors can even stimulate existing frail follicles and it can even be a part of multi – pronged therapy. A more lasting alternative to hormone or thinning treatment is a hair transplant which can also be considered in advanced levels when bald patches become noticeable. In such a condition, you can seek the consultation of the best hair transplant clinic in Gurgaon as qualified hair experts are in a position to evaluate the cause of your hair loss and judge your case if the issue is purely hormonal or it warrants implantation for everlasting benefit.
Don’t Wait Too Long to Get Answers
The annoying part is PCOS hair loss develops so slowly, it is quite tempting to just write off the subtle symptoms in the early stages. If you do experience this kind of hair thinning, bear in mind the hormonal imbalance will be harder to correct as the longer it goes untreated. Therefore, if you are suffering from excess shedding plus some of the above PCOS signs, please get a thorough assessment by way of blood tests, together with an examination of the scalp to confirm precisely what is amiss and which treatment option to utilize for your kind of hair loss as well as hormones levels.
Final Thoughts
PCOS hair loss is depressing, no doubt about it, but it’s not at all hopeless. First and foremost, it’s really important to know the reason why you are losing hair due to PCOS is hormonal. While the solutions could be based on hormone therapy, topically applied products or a trip to a specialist clinic, there is a real merit in getting the issue resolved early and without guessing. If you are in Gurgaon, and you want effective and reliable help, QHT Clinic – best hair transplant clinic in Gurgaon – offers consultations that will make you understand exactly what’s going on with your hair.
