Hair Loss...The Effect PCOS Has Had On Me
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kit1986
Posts: 23
I wanted to show you ladies how PCOS has effected me in regards to hair loss.
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15 (just on a decade) and am only now ready to get my weight (and PCOS symptoms) under control.
Before the hair loss symptom kicked in my hair was extremely thick to the point that I would have to brush under as well as over. I used to curse how thick it was...now I would do anything to get it back.
The first photo I've added is about 7 years old in my final year of high school. By this stage I had been diagnosed for about 2-3 years.
The second photo was taken October of last year...unfortunately I can't give you similar hairstyles because this is now the length I can reach...my hair doesn't grow any longer than my shoulder before it starts to look unkept. I have accepted that even when I do lose the weight and am in control of my symptoms that my chances of going back to the hair I once had is slim. I would love to at the very least to no longer see my scalp through my hair. Only time will tell.
I don't know if these photos depict the hair loss aspect but I still wanted to share these with you to show those you have lost their hair that you're not alone.
PS - PLEASE DISREGARD THE TWO REPLIES OF MINE FOLLOWING THIS POST...I'M STILL GETTING USED TO THIS SITE AND REALISED TOO LATE THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY EDIT POSTS :S
I was diagnosed with PCOS when I was 15 (just on a decade) and am only now ready to get my weight (and PCOS symptoms) under control.
Before the hair loss symptom kicked in my hair was extremely thick to the point that I would have to brush under as well as over. I used to curse how thick it was...now I would do anything to get it back.
The first photo I've added is about 7 years old in my final year of high school. By this stage I had been diagnosed for about 2-3 years.
The second photo was taken October of last year...unfortunately I can't give you similar hairstyles because this is now the length I can reach...my hair doesn't grow any longer than my shoulder before it starts to look unkept. I have accepted that even when I do lose the weight and am in control of my symptoms that my chances of going back to the hair I once had is slim. I would love to at the very least to no longer see my scalp through my hair. Only time will tell.
I don't know if these photos depict the hair loss aspect but I still wanted to share these with you to show those you have lost their hair that you're not alone.
PS - PLEASE DISREGARD THE TWO REPLIES OF MINE FOLLOWING THIS POST...I'M STILL GETTING USED TO THIS SITE AND REALISED TOO LATE THAT YOU COULD ACTUALLY EDIT POSTS :S
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Replies
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Sorry bear with me while I get these blasted photos to work.
SUCCESS
Above photo taken in 2004
Above photo taken in 20120 -
Well first of all, I'd like to reassure you that while it's noticeable that you had more hair in high school, you still look beautiful in your second picture.
I never had any hair loss until I got off the birth control pill last june, and then it all just started falling out! I always had thin hair, too, so it only took a month or two before it was brutally obvious that I was literally balding! It was so hard on me.
I couldn't get doctors to care anything about my hair loss (yet). They called it 'just a vanity issue' :explode: But I did a lot of reading about it and just started trying things. I found a few things that have been like a miracle for me, and my hair is WAY better now, and getting better all the time.
I detailed what exactly I'm doing on another thread: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/843680-hair-loss?page=1#posts-12811157
Of course, we are all different, and what works for one woman might not work for another, but it's worth a try, especially considering I'm not on any prescription medication. I wish you the very best :flowerforyou:0 -
I've been having issues with hair loss for the last three months or so.
My doctor has said there is nothing they can do as all my blood tests etc. are normal. They will believe that it will take time to grow back (around 4 months). They suggested that I wash my hair as little as possible, wear it down and try not to style it. They also said I should eat more red meats.
I've been taking a skin, hair and nail vitamin once a day too for the last month which contains Biotin.
Hope this helps.0 -
I've been having issues with hair loss for the last three months or so.
My doctor has said there is nothing they can do as all my blood tests etc. are normal. They will believe that it will take time to grow back (around 4 months). They suggested that I wash my hair as little as possible, wear it down and try not to style it. They also said I should eat more red meats.
I've been taking a skin, hair and nail vitamin once a day too for the last month which contains Biotin.
Hope this helps.
Recently I went to see an herbal pharmacist. I thought it was hokey at first, but this guy really knew his stuff. He explained that some people can have hair loss even in the absence of any abnormalities in the blood, because your skin has it's own metabolism and hormones, in addition to those for the rest of your body. Sometimes the skin literally has trouble transporting the nutrients that you are feeding your body to the ends of the capillaries in your skin. One way to tell if this could be a contributor to your problem is if your lips are blue-ish. He gave me a tea to make twice a day which is supposed to support skin functioning. I do that in addition to my hair, skin, and nail vitamins. My hair has come a long way.
I didn't really address the problem scientifically and try one thing at a time, so I can't isolate which thing helped the most....but if your vitamins aren't helping, perhaps look around for a tea or vitamin which is specifically intended to promote skin FUNCTIONING or METABOLISM. However, one month is not a long time for vitamins...they may still work well for you!
Is your scalp oily, or do you have dandruff? If so, I personally disagree with the advice not to wash your hair...too much oil on your scalp can literally choke hair follicles, which results in hair falling out. I've seen this recommended to teenagers a lot when they have oily hair, but just like acne, the things that helped teenagers with these issues don't necessarily work for us, because they stem from different things. I started using clinical strength head & shoulders, which is indicated for seborrheic dandruff, which results from hormonal imbalance. I do agree with not using a lot of heat styling or products in your hair and not dying it until you start to see progress. Then again, I'm not a doctor. But what I did worked for me, so I hope it helps someone else, too. Good luck!0 -
Thank you for the reassurance it does make me feel better because I'm pretty self conscious about it.
I've recently started takin a combination of Magnesium, Calcium and Vit D in a powder form mixed with orange juice every night as well as taking a Biotin tablet daily so fingers crossed it will do something.
My hair get super super oily so unfortunately I have to wash it every day (such a pain). I also use a hair dryer on days I work because my hair turns into a complete frizz ball but so far I haven't seen any problems specifically associated with it use.
Thankfully my hair has stopped falling out so here's hoping this is as bad as it get.
Good luck with everything everyone....this post in itself proves that we're not alone in this.
Kate0 -
I have this too. Mostly in my bangs, but some through the top of my head. My doctor put me on low-androgen birth control pills (Miracette) and high dose (150mg) spironolactone to help fight the androgenic alopecia (AGA, the male patterned hair loss women with PCOS can get). I don't know if it will reverse it, but it should slow it down. The problem is excess testosterone, so the birth control ups your estrogen (hair on your scalp likes estrogen, it's why pregnant women get such great hair) and the spironolactone is an anti-androgen that drops your testosterone. It helps with facial hair and acne too.
I would also suggest you look for a shampoo that removes DHT from your scalp. Dihydrotestosterone is what is on your scalp that is interrupting your hair growth. Nizoral is one brand, Joico makes a system called Clinicure that does this that smells much better than the Nizoral.
I also take a ton of Biotin. 7500mg a day. My hair also was falling out from the weight loss - double whammy! After several months of Biotin and upping my calories, it's coming back like crazy. I also take saw palmetto and drink spearmint tea, which are both purported to help.
Here are two sites that greatly helped me:
http://hcp.obgyn.net/infertility/content/article/1760982/1968476 (this one you have to register to read, but it's free. It's a guide for PCOS hair loss that is easy to understand and worth sharing with your doctor. It's written by doctors. My doctor really appreciated it and followed the recommendations in it)
http://www.drnandunne.com/?p=1053 (this lists both natural and medical treatments and worth reading)
I'm so sorry you're going through this. It's so disheartening, I know.0 -
Oops, I meant Mircette, not Miracette...0
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I would also suggest you look for a shampoo that removes DHT from your scalp. Dihydrotestosterone is what is on your scalp that is interrupting your hair growth. Nizoral is one brand, Joico makes a system called Clinicure that does this that smells much better than the Nizoral.
A few months ago (I think it was last October), I went from pharmacy to pharmacy while I was back in the states looking for Nizoral shampoo. Couldn't find it anywhere! I tried Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and at least 1 or 2 more. The pharmacists told me it was on indefinite back order because they had stopped making it, or switched manufacturers, or something. I've also looked here in Germany, but so far haven't spotted any.
Have you bought it recently? I'd still like to try it at some point, but haven't had any luck finding it. In the mean time, I've been happy with clinical strength Head & Shoulders.0 -
I would also suggest you look for a shampoo that removes DHT from your scalp. Dihydrotestosterone is what is on your scalp that is interrupting your hair growth. Nizoral is one brand, Joico makes a system called Clinicure that does this that smells much better than the Nizoral.
A few months ago (I think it was last October), I went from pharmacy to pharmacy while I was back in the states looking for Nizoral shampoo. Couldn't find it anywhere! I tried Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and at least 1 or 2 more. The pharmacists told me it was on indefinite back order because they had stopped making it, or switched manufacturers, or something. I've also looked here in Germany, but so far haven't spotted any.
Have you bought it recently? I'd still like to try it at some point, but haven't had any luck finding it. In the mean time, I've been happy with clinical strength Head & Shoulders.
It was gone for a while, but it's back now. I'm not sure why it went away, but it's back. The 1% Ketoconazole is over the counter, the 2% kind is prescription only here in the US.0 -
i do not have pictures of my hair, but I have gone through the same thing. I have a couple of natural remedies that has worked for me that you may want to try. I take Saw Palmetto pills twice a day, these are vitamins that you can get from walmart for about $8.00 that is a natural diuretic. It helps with acne and thinning hair some women have reported fuller breast as well. It is usually prescribed for men w/prostate problems but it works for PCOS as well. Second, you can make your own shampoo and conditioner. Most OTC products have harsh chemicals. I use liquid castille soap. you can get this from whole foods or a local organic store. and chemicals to treat my condition. Google herbs to see what would work best for you. Herbs that stimulate hair growth are Horsetail, Burdock Root, Rosemary and Sage. But there are countless others. All you would need to do is boil the herbs like you would a bag of tea, let it steep for 45-60min and use a fine strainer to remove the herbs. Add the juice to about 2-4oz of soap and store it in a glass container in your fridge for about 2weeks. For conditioning good old fashioned mayonaise, egg and apple cider vinegar and distilled water does the trick...gives hair protein and organic apple cider vinegar strengthens and offers shine. Hope this gives you enough base information to get you started.0
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Like you I had lovely thick hair and then that changed as more symptoms of PCOS developed. I sought help from my ob/gyn, endocrinologist, and dermatologist over the years. The dermatologist I saw about 2 years ago did a scalp biopsy and would have sent me to a hair loss specialist if I wanted. She recommended I start using Rogaine for Men (okay if you aren't trying to conceive) and take Viatimin D. That helped. Then my ob/gyn changed my BC to loestrin 24fe about a year ago. Somehow this combination has made my hair to start coming back for the first time in years. I am almost to the point I do not need to use Toppik to cover the thin spots. Very exciting. Now to just get the weight off...
If you are struggling with thinning areas, I highly recommend using Toppik-a product in a powder/fiber form that helps cover thinning areas. It really gave me my confidence back.0 -
I think your hair (and you) still look great! I would not look at you and say "She is losing hair" if I just saw you on the street.
That said, hair loss is a symptom that I have dealt with as well. It is very scary - mostly because you don't know when it's going to stop and how little hair you'll have by then!
I never had this problem when I was on birth control or the first time I went off (to conceive my daughter). This second time I went off - holy crap! The thing that has worked for me has been Metformin. It did take a few months (this is normal because the life cycle of hair is two to three months) but now I only lose a normal amount.0 -
Your hair looks great in both pictures! I have the same issue and spend a lot more time than I probably should brushing my hair into styles where you can't see the gaps. Everyone jokes about how my hair gets everywhere in the house, car, workplace etc. Unfortunately my current doctor has no interest in PCOS so I've had no help there.
I don't have an answer but just wanted to say you're not alone and your hair still looks great 0 -
Thank you again everyone for your kind words and advice.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to take Metformin as I suffer severe symptoms from it but I have been taking Vitamin D as well as some other vitamins (Calcium, Magnesium and Vit C).
I completely understand the whole trying to style your hair to cover the thinning parts...it has actually gotten to the point that when I go to my hair dresser I basically ask for the hair style best suited for adding thickness and covering the thinning.
When I get the weight down (and I DEFINATELY mean when) I'm hoping that my hormones will be controlled enough that my hair if nothing else becomes more full looking but it would definately be a bonus to have my hair grow back; maybe not to the extent that it was but definately better than what it is now.
Thank again everyone
Kate
xoxo0 -
I would also suggest you look for a shampoo that removes DHT from your scalp. Dihydrotestosterone is what is on your scalp that is interrupting your hair growth. Nizoral is one brand, Joico makes a system called Clinicure that does this that smells much better than the Nizoral.
A few months ago (I think it was last October), I went from pharmacy to pharmacy while I was back in the states looking for Nizoral shampoo. Couldn't find it anywhere! I tried Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and at least 1 or 2 more. The pharmacists told me it was on indefinite back order because they had stopped making it, or switched manufacturers, or something. I've also looked here in Germany, but so far haven't spotted any.
Have you bought it recently? I'd still like to try it at some point, but haven't had any luck finding it. In the mean time, I've been happy with clinical strength Head & Shoulders.
Whenever I can't find something in a store, I go to Amazon. They have EVERYTHING.0
