PCOS hair loss treatment: Understanding PCOS-caused hair loss and ways to manage It

In a nutshell

Male pattern hair loss triggered by PCOS can be a disturbing symptom affecting women both physically and mentally. Luckily, it’s possible to prevent, minimize, and reverse (at least partially) hair loss with the right PCOS hair loss treatment. Common treatment and coping options include:

• A balanced diet
• Regular exercise
• Stress management
• Herbal remedies
• Supplements
• Scalp massage
• Hormonal medications
• Insulin-sensitizers
• Topical treatments
• Advanced non-surgical therapies like LLLT and PRP therapy

Finding noticeable hair thinning and subsequent hair loss can feel incredibly disturbing and eventually undermine your self-confidence. Unfortunately, this isn’t uncommon in women with PCOS. In this article, we’ll get clear on the reasons for hair loss in PCOS and explore how to treat PCOS hair loss efficiently.

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PCOS and hair loss: Understanding the connection

PCOS is short for polycystic ovary syndrome - a condition in which you have many cysts (small sacs filled with fluid) develop on the external edge of your ovaries. This condition hinders the balance of hormones developed by your ovaries and can affect your reproductive system and cause a range of unpleasant symptoms, such as:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Insulin resistance
• Acne
• Weight gain
• And others

On top of that, PCOS typically triggers excessive production of testosterone, while decreasing female hormones - estrogens. This can stimulate the attribution of certain male features to women with PCOS, including both excessive hair growth in different body areas (hirsutism) and hair thinning or male-pattern baldness.

The effects of PCOS on your hair

In order to understand why PCOS causes hair loss, in the first place, it’s important to clarify the three PCOS-related issues that might affect your hair follicles:

• A larger amount of androgens (especially testosterone) produced in your ovaries causes your body to produce more dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is a byproduct of testosterone. Larger amounts of circulating DHT can gradually shrink hair follicles and cause hair loss.
• An ongoing hormonal imbalance frequently causes insulin resistance. Insulin, in turn, can disrupt the typical hair growth cycle, leading to balding.
• By increasing the levels of oxidative stress and inflammation, PCOS can force your immune system to fight, which can hinder the hair growth process.

These are the top reasons that explain hair loss in PCOS. Additionally, genetics might be one more factor contributing to this process. So if you have a family history of balding and are diagnosed with PCOS, you might have a higher likelihood of facing hair loss.

Is it possible to regrow hair with PCOS hair loss treatment?

Technically, yes, there are treatment methods that aim to help your hair grow back after PCOS or androgenic alopecia (hair loss). However, it’s important to keep in mind that these treatments are not perfect and cannot guarantee a return to your initial hair density.

The thing is that PCOS hair loss progresses according to a male pattern. This implies significant hair thinning in the area of the crown and top of your scalp with subsequent falling out. Unlike a female pattern which implies blending of fragile and healthy hairs with small areas of loss, male-pattern hair loss implies larger balding areas which can complicate the process of regrowth. Hence, it might be much more effective to diagnose PCOS hair loss and start treatment early to prevent hair loss progression.

How to stop PCOS hair loss: Lifestyle adjustment tips

Since insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance are the top causes of PCOS hair loss, there are a few lifestyle adjustments you can make early on to prevent or stop hair loss:

• Balance your diet. In order to prevent hair loss, you may want to start monitoring your insulin levels and managing them through a balanced, nutritious diet. It’s recommended to enrich your daily meals with high-fiber vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. 
• Maintain a healthy weight and stay active. Regular physical activity can help you reduce insulin resistance, improve hormonal balance, eliminate stress, and help you manage weight gain. In particular, it’s recommended to pick such activities as yoga, walking, aerobic activities, and resistance training.
• Take control of your stress. Since stress is a factor contributing to hair loss, it’s important to find coping techniques that will help you keep it down. Some activities you can try include meditation, mindfulness, breathing, self-care routines, proper sleep, etc. A good diet can also help combat stress because high glucose levels can actually cause more stress and anxiety.

How to treat PCOS hair loss: Natural remedies

Women with PCOS can stop hair loss by leveraging different natural solutions. The top options are:

Scalp massage with essential oils

Regular scalp massage with your fingers or special massaging tools is shown to provide a relaxing effect also helping you cope with stress. Additionally, it stimulates blood flow, causing hair follicles to receive more nutrients and hence, can promote hair growth rates. 

To boost the efficacy of scalp massage, it’s recommended to do it with essential oils known for their relaxing, blood-flow-boosting, and hair-growth-stimulating properties, such as:

• Rosemary oil
• Peppermint oil
• Lavender oil 

Herbal remedies

Some herbs are known to have a positive effect on hair growth. In particular, saw palmetto - a shrublike palm originating from the southeastern United States - is known to inhibit the production of testosterone byproduct DHT, which promotes hair loss. 

Additionally, you can complement your diet with spearmint tea. It’s proven to have a significant anti-androgen effect in PCOS females, which means it helps balance your hormone levels and minimize PCOS symptoms, including hair loss.

Supplements for PCOS symptoms and hair growth

Lastly, if you’re wondering how to reverse PCOS hair loss naturally, certain supplements may help. Namely, you can try:

• Omega-3 fatty acids for minimizing inflammation and supporting scalp health
• Inositol for balanced hormones and better insulin sensitivity
• Biotin and zinc for fighting inflammation and supporting hair growth

How to help PCOS hair loss: Medical treatments and non-surgical therapies

In addition to lifestyle changes and natural remedies that you could use at home, of course, there are medical PCOS hair loss treatment options, which include consuming specific medications and using non-surgical therapies. Let’s explore the most common treatment opportunities:

Hormones-balancing medications

Females with PCOS are often prescribed hormonal medications to restore the functionality of their ovaries, help address fertility issues, and address other PCOS symptoms. These medicines can include combination birth control pills, progestin therapy medications, and anti-androgens. By balancing the levels of your hormones, these medicines can also help you stop hair loss.

Insulin-sensitizing agents

Insulin-sensitizers have proven to positively affect PCOS women. These medications normalize hyperinsulinemia and minimize androgen production in your ovaries, hence, helping treat PCOS symptoms.

Topical treatment

Hair loss in PCOS can be also addressed by topical medications, such as minoxidil. Minoxidil is an antihypertensive and a vasodilator broadly used for high blood pressure and pattern hair loss treatment. Minoxidil PCOS solution comes in the form of over-the-counter topical liquid or foam. It’s proven to encourage the regrowth of lost hair. So if you are wondering how to reverse PCOS hair loss, this treatment might work for you.

Prescription PCOS hair loss treatment

In some cases of especially stubborn hair loss, a healthcare provider might suggest you take prescription medicine. Namely, you might be prescribed to use corticosteroids, which suppress the immune system, counteract PCOS symptoms, and stimulate hair growth. You may also be prescribed ketoconazole shampoo, which is used to treat various skin conditions, infections, and other scalp issues, supporting healthy hair growth.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy

PRP therapy is an advanced, non-surgical therapy for hair loss shown to be effective in treating male pattern hair loss. The therapy works the following way:

• A doctor draws your blood and extracts plasma from it using a centrifuge. This plasma is rich in concentrated platelets, including cytokines.
• PRP is then injected into your scalp to promote hair regrowth.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT)

Another advanced therapy used for treating PCOS hair loss is LLLT. In this therapy, a doctor uses lasers with different wavelengths to work on the needed area. If you check out the LLLT PCOS hair loss before and after photos, the results look pretty impressive. The lasers are believed to create photochemical reactions, which reduce inflammation, enhance tissue repair function, and promote cell regeneration. In the long run, LLLT can help stop hair loss and stimulate regrowth. 

Final verdict

Noticing hair thinning that progresses into hair loss is surely distressing for every woman. Unfortunately, it’s not rare in PCOS females, which is why understanding the mechanics of PCOS-caused hair loss and possible treatments is important for all women with this condition.

As you now know, possible PCOS hair loss treatment options range from adjusting your lifestyle and using natural remedies to taking prescribed medicines and leveraging advanced therapies. All these treatment methods have been shown to help prevent, stop, and reverse PCOS hair loss. Use this guide to find a treatment option that suits you best and don’t forget to consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.