PCOS AND HAIR LOSS – What Works for Me

Thanks Robin-
Give it some time. It will probably take about a month for the hair loss to subside. Let me know how it is going!

Hi Jessie-
The saw palmetto and spironolactone should help. Laser hair removal is wonderful. If you can afford it do it!

Yes I still follow this. It takes about 6 months to really notice your hair getting thicker. I noticed that the hairloss subsided after about a month. You may ask your Doc about spironolactone. I purchase Pro-gest cream from Emitra at my drugstore but you can get it online as well.

I have read that it is helpful to wash your hair everyday because it washes away the DHT, so I do wash my hair everyday and use the Nizoral and KMS conditioner. In regards to milk, and calcium you can get calcium from sources that are dairy-free like dark leafy greensl like kale and sea vegetables. Many are lactose intolerant as well. Dairy can also mess with our hormones because of the hormones of the cows. These hormones in cow’s milk are particularly high in pregnant cows, which make up 75%-90% of the dairy milk market. High milk intake has been shown to increase blood levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). High IGF-1 levels are believed to promote acne. Cow’s milk contains 5 alpha-reduced steroids and other hormones that can be broken down to DHT. I would suggest eliminating the milk for a while and try to get your calcium from other sources.

Dolly-
Thanks so much for your nice comments. I was concerned about the 5% minoxidil too. My naturopath was the one who suggested trying the 5%. She said that the 2% was basically useless. I have not had any side effects and am very happy with the results.

hello i have the same syndrome.. aside from obesity..what i feel the worst things that comes with my PCOS is my excessive hairgrowth on my legs and practically everywhere..i think.. and also my problem in hairloss ( crowning glory) ..please help me out with this.. sometimes it’s really depressing to have all these.

Dear Amy,

Thank you so much for creating this blog! Your story is very inspiring and I’m happy to feel less alone in this journey. Hair loss has been the only symptom of PCOS (so far) that has caused me to lose sleep. I have thin PCOS and have been on Yas for over 10 years and Spiro for 3 years. A few months ago I stopped Spiro and started Metformin (my husband and I plan to start trying for a baby in the near future) and ever since then, my hair has been shedding like mad. I’m not sure if it was going off of the spiro or adding the Met that caused this awful hair loss, but I never thought it could be this bad… If I could only go back to the hair that I had before I started the spiro, I would’ve never complained about a thing – sure, it was a little thin back then, but not so much that you could see my part from a mile away and I was never paranoid to stand directly under bright lights fearing my hair crown was over exposed. Nonetheless, since I have read this post, I have gone from washing my hair every other day to washing it everyday and I have noticed a big improvement! I think that you are right about the testosterone being converted to DHT from hair oil, and the excessive scalp oil was partly to blame for my problem. So the more I keep that oil at bay, the less shedding I have! Really excited to have at least made a little progress here. After my husband and I have a baby I’d like to switch over to your regimen completely. I’m wondering what plan you have for birth control though? I can’t wait to go back on the Spiro as I found it practically eliminated all oil from my scalp and after reading your blog about birth control pills, I’d prefer not to return to Yas if possible. However, I’m concerned about getting pregnant accidentially while on Spiro given the horrible side effect of possible birth defects. Thanks again for all of your help!

I just recently found your blog and am loving it!! I was diagnosed with pcos a couple of months ago, but it started when I took the Depo shot and it accelerated my hair loss to big chunks. It took some months of getting that out of my system. I’ve been taking Saw Palmetto for over a month and paired it with Nioxin (available at Walmart) and have already noticed the slowing of hair loss. I hope to start on either Channel Wrack or Dong Quai to hopefully get back some fullness as my herbalist suggested. Thank you for the time you put in to help others with this.

Did you find that the 5% minoxidil caused the increased shedding in the first few weeks that the bottle warns of? I am scared to start it for fear of more shedding…

Where do you get pro-gest cream?

I love your blog! Do you use the minoxidil 1 or 2x a day?

I don’t think I have PCOS, but I do have Androgenetic Alopecia, and it sucks! Nothing I’ve tried has worked to fix my hair loss. I’m glad you’ve had some success controlling it. I’ve tried Nizoral (it made my hair shed more), I just went off Spiro after being on it for almost a year with no results, I’m on 2% Rogaine (5% gives me migraines), and Saw Palmetto didn’t do anything for me. The one thing I haven’t tried is progesterone cream, since I’m on the pill (for hair loss) and you can’t use the cream and the pill together. Anyway, I’m always trying new stuff – something has to work, right?? (ps. I posted this comment on the old version of your blog too).

I can’t find Nizoral shampoo anywhere! I googled it and it said that there won’t be any available until the end of the year. Any other suggestions?

Hi Amy,

I anm sooo excited about your blog!!! Finally someone who understands and I don’t feel so alone with PCOS. I feel that I am losing my hair at the top were it is visable, I hear of this vitamin called Nutricap to prevent hair loss, I was wondering if it was ok for people with PCOS to take it??
Thought maybe you would know?

Thanks 🙂

I’ve been using Saw Palmetto for about 4 years and it totally reversed my hair loss. I take 325 mg along daily and it stopped the bald patches and weird itchiness on my scalp. I also started using Biotin 5g 2x daily and my hair and skin are nice and soft. I used to have really dry skin and hair, but it’s gone away now.

Amy, have you ever heard of the product Hair Essentials by Natural Wellbeing? I came across it on Facebook. I used it off and on for a couple months, noticed a difference but looked like a porcupine with hairs sticking out everywhere;) I stopped that along with my Insulite Labs as I was having anxiety for the past month and haven’t been able to eat that much. I’ve been on Spiro for about 4 years and wasn’t sure about HE bc it has horsetail extract and I thought I read it could affect potassium? I hope to figure out a good balance and help others. You’re so inspiring!

HI AMY,

Wondering how did you get the spiro? Dr. dont normally prescribe it? Was it a special doc? Also do you use minoxidil generic form 1-2 x a day as it states on package? I have severe hair loss due to post pardom from being preg. I also have PCOS. My hair is shedding like mad. Im almost done BF so I really need to start a regimin for my hair.

Hi, not sure if you are still responding on your website. Should I email you directly at your email? Hoping for an answer as I am desperate for some help, thanks!

Hi again Amy, not sure why my post from a few weeks back still says “comment is awaiting for moderation” but I’ll repost and hopefully get some advice. Thanks!:

My biggest issue is high androgens and hair loss and insomnia. My periods have always been regular, taken no bcps, may have an insulin issue but whenever docs did the GI test, always came out normal. I wanted to incorporate progestrone to help calm androgens but I am really confused about how to use the cream. You had a great blog about how to use progestrone, but I am confused as I do get my periods on a normal 28-30 day cycle. I picked up some Emerita progestrone (hope that’s ok to use) but not sure when to start as I have only read tips on how to use for women who DONT have periods or are TTC or are getting off BCPs. I also was afraid that taking them on the last two weeks of period will stop me from getting my period. So as you see, I am very confused. Thanks for any insight!

Hello, I am 45 years old and I have PCOS. I stopped taking Metformin this past November and stopped the pill this past February. About 3 weeks ago I noticed several small bald spots on my scalp. I’m wondering if stopping either of the medications have caused this. It’s awful and I’m shedding more and more. I was also just told that my iron is low, 2 weeks ago. I started taking suppliments. Any advice you could give me would be GREATLY appreciated! I also have hypothyroidism.

Hi Amy,

How long did you hairloss continue on for? I’m so frustrated because I can’t get in to see a Dermatologist yet. I’m ready to go back on the pill if it means it’ll save my hair. But I don’t want to complicate things or make them worse.

I have been taking folic acid and evening primrose oil supplements everyday, I think my hair has improved alot after taking these! Do you recommend these for ladies with pcos?

I found topical spironolactone online, have you heard of this or tried it?

Get this – I used to wash my hair everyday until april/may 2012 – that’s when my hair started falling out! So there is truth to washing your hair everyday when you have PCOS. I had no issues with hair loss until may/June 2012 when i was 37. Actually I had thick gorgeous beautiful shiny hair my whole life.

I used the following oils weekly until march 2012: Amla oil & coconut oil.

Now I use those oils plus argan oil & vitamin e oil.

Starting tomorrow, I’m washing my hair daily and using the oils weekly.

Will keep you all posted on the results.

Amy, please Let me know which things above I should try?!

Thank you for starting this blog.

Hi Amy, I had no clue what you were advising so I did a Google search and found a great article. What test am I asking the endrocrinologist for?

http://www.youthfulagingcenter.com/adrenal-fatigue.html

Hi Amy, What are your thoughts on Nioxin scalp treatment?

Hello Kathleen,

Your post was from over a year ago but I’m hoping you still receive this reply. How is your hair loss doing now? How much hair loss had you experienced before you started taking Saw Palmetto? Also, do you take anything beaides Saw Palmetto and Biotin to combat your PCOS?

Thanks! Jennifer

Hi Amy! I’m a nursing mom with PCOS and have thinning hair and am starting the postpartum shed. I think it’s time to *gulp* get a hairpiece. I know you used a salon in Boston. But could you recommend a salon around New Hampshire (Hollis area)? Thanks for sharing all your info! 🙂

Thank you so much for your help! I really appreciate it, it’s so hard to know where to start!

I started some of your tips here in January, and I have seen a huge difference. Thank you! I am using Regenepure DR shampoo with Ketakonazole (order off the internet) and I leave it on for a few minutes EVERY SINGLE DAY. My hair loss in the shower has virtually stopped. I lose about 10 hairs a week instead of the handful a day. That I feel was the biggest help of all. The cost is about $30 but you only use a tiny bit to cover your scalp so it goes a long way. 1 bottle will last about 4 months. I tried to find Nizoral, but had no success, even using their recommended website store. I did find the Regenepure, however, and it is working great.

I also am using the Walmart Minoxidil in the 5% strength as you recommended. The 3 month pack is about $19. I am taking a saw palmetto supplement too.

I am not able to use the hormone creams because I am on birth control. But I will consider if I ever stop using/needing birth control for birth control purposes.

After about 3 1/2 months of using all of this, I see a real difference in my hair. I recommend trying some or all of the tips you suggest as I think all of them help and are great. Thanks for helping me regain hair, and some much needed self-esteem. I know I might not ever have a lot of hair, but I have enough again that people don’t see me as a bald woman. Yay! You truly are a blessing.

Brandi

I was curious what your regimine is for your hair now that you have stopped the spironolactone. are you still using joico, nizoral and saw palemetto?

I did forget to mention that adrenal fatigue and hypothyroidism are common among PCOSers and this also causes a lot of hair loss, even the male-type, in these women. This should be treated with good diet and a physician. Naturopaths are my favorite, as they can help get your glands working on their own rather than with medications. Symplex F by Standard Process is safe to take for anyone having these troubles as it’s an adaptogen (meaning is raises what’s low and lowers what’s high). They also supply dessicated adrenal. For thyroid, if you’re sure you’re low (through using a temperature test–just google that), then go ahead and put in iodine and eat a high-carb (no sugar/gluten, get all your carbs from non-gluten grains and vegetables) diet for 1 month. Do not exercise for that month. If you notice your temperature rising and your hair fall is less, then you’ve got hypothyroidism. If there is no improvement, adrenal fatigue may be the culprit. In either case, go to a naturopath for proper treatment.

I do love licorice for adrenal fatigue! I ended up doing a 24-hour cortisol and found I was only low during certain times because I was critically high during others, and so we’re trying an approach where I calm the adrenals during peak hours to try and coax the adrenals into releasing at the right time. I’ll know if it’s working in another month or two when I do another 24-hour cortisol.

Amy,
I found a small note way down on the replys that said you had quit spironolactone after 3 years with no excess hair loss because you had balanced your hormones. Please tell me how you did it. I’ve tried 3 times to quit spiro. (am having bad long term side effects) and have encountered massive episodes of hair loss that wouldn’t quit. Would you please address this. I’m desperate.
Thank you.

Hi Amy 🙂 I know you’re probably tried of people asking about the possibility of regrowth etc. but I was wondering the likelihood getting my hair back. I never had issues with hair loss, but a few months ago I was started on Lo Loestrin Fe and started noticing more shedding than usual. Fast forward 3 months and one day while I was in the mirror, I noticed the crown area on my head had thinned out drastically! My friend and I did some research online and she urged me to stop the birth control. I’ve seen both a dermatologist and an endocrinologist and they both said I just have to wait to see what happens once the birth control is finally out of my system. The problem is, I seem to be losing much more hair than before 🙁 Here’s the list of things I’ve been trying to no avail:

– 6 mg of Biotin a day
– Iron supplements
– Magnesium supplements
– Vitamin D 5,000 mg
– Fish Oil supplements
– 320 mg of saw palmetto
– jojoba and rosemary oil treatment once a week
– tricomin shampoo, conditioner, and spray every other day

I was going to add Glucorein to my regimen but didn’t know if that would be too much? I should also mention that I went in for blood work shortly before I started the birth control and everything looked fine (no auto immune issues, hormone imbalances, thyroid issues, etc.). The only thing they were concerned about were my two-hour insulin results (which I know is absolutely related to my PCOS) to which they recommended more exercise. I’m obviously freaking out, I’m 26 and never had this issue before and would like to know there is hope to get my hair back. Your website has been a huge help and thank you for being so inspiring to those who are struggling with condition.

I have to say I was SHOCKED to see Spironolactone (Aldactone) on this list ! I LOVEEE this Website but I do SINCERELY hope readers aren’t going to their doctors to request this drug before doing more research of their own – and it doesn’t take much! I was prescribed this last year, and after a LOOOONG hall with different concoctions of meds for a total of 13-14 years (I am only 26!), I was extremely hesitant to put more drugs into my body.
Out of complete and udder desperation, I tried it. I tried it because, like everyone with PCOS, I need(ed) to gain control after my appearance had taken ‘masculine’ turn for the worse – similar to a pubescent teenage boy. . . I started growing facial hair and had severe acne that was not ‘cured’ with medications, antibiotics, ointments, and very strong topical gels and washes from different dermatologists. Again, I am aware how devastating it is to all women, but my whole LIFE was now in shambles. You see, I am an Esthetician! I was working in high-end spa’s: some of which were top spas in my country (Canada). It was unfathomable that I looked like this in the industry I loved and worked in for years. My relationships also started suffering and the stress went up, and so the cycle continued.. Needless to say the cons outweighed the only pro which was that my pores started shrinking (read up on how this drug works) but that wasn’t enough to convince me it was the holy grail of PCOS symptom correctors…. I now look to herbal remedies for as much as I possibly can (For PCOS I currently take LORNA VANDERHAEGE EstroSmartPlus [with VITEX] and GlucoSmart ..another good one and is less expensive is Healthy Hormones by CanPrev) – noted that not every-thing works for every-one, however – I encourage people to own their due diligence! It might take a little while longer but lets ‘face’ it. As mentioned above, there is no immediate results. Why forfeit your health for vanity – which in itself is a tough pill to swallow if your life fell apart like mine, but wouldn’t you rather LIVE through, safely, than not live long enough to see your kids and grandkids grow up that you fought so hard to have in your life, through battles of infertility? The choice is yours, I’m just saying: CHOOSE WISELY. Read this article (WRITTEN BY A DOCTOR) and continue to search for your own answers. >> http://www.larabriden.com/spironolactone-the-safe-drug-for-hormonal-hair-loss/
Another thing to try is tingly shampoos (caused by increase of blood to the scalp) – Tea Tree Shampoo is an example. I hope this helped 🙂 Good luck my fellow PCOS warriors <3

I am 39 and have had drastic hair loss for two years. I had a HUGE amount of hair to start with and now it is wiry and thinning. After a battery of tests, I have two large nodules on my thyroid and I am taking synthroid now. (two weeks only) I also had my hormone levels at a 3:1 ratio.. so I was diagnosed with PCOS. My doctor wants to put me on Yaz. Will this stop my hair loss? I have heard so many bad things about Yaz and I haven’t been on this kind of hormonal contraceptive since I was 27 years old. I don’t like the health risks involved, but I don’t know what other options I have. I keep reading about certain mushrooms, green tea, primrose, saw palmetto, and the list goes on.. I don’t know at what angle to attack this or if I need to be patient to see if my synhroid improves my situation. Any suggestions? ESp.. about the Yaz?

Hi Reshma,
Unfortunately my hair hasn’t grown
back that much but it is stable. I ended up going to an endocrinologist who put me on spironolactone 75mg twice a day. Out of everything that I mentioned in my original post, I would definitely stick with the fish oil supplements. Also look into getting glucorein-hop (I’m not sure if it’s helped with my hair, but it has helped keep my weight down; I’ve maintained my weight for almost a year now and I used to be a yo-yo dieter!) vitamin d, magnesium, and iron are also good options, but only if you’re deficient! I had blood work done and the doctors recommended it. B-12 or any B complex is helpful. Outside of all this remember: diet and exercise really help get these supplements pumping and working in your system. The more you’re helping them work, the better chance you have of fighting this battle. I know it’s tough – trust me I’ve cried in every doctor’s office imaginable since this all started – but until the public speaking up about cutes for female hair loss, we have to stay strong and not let anything take us down! Hair or no hair, we’re still ourselves and that’s nothing short of amazing! Hope this helps 🙂 good luck!

If you are suffering from hair loss then read my success story. Ever since I was in my early 20’s my hair seemed to get thinner & thinner and with my Dad also being bald I knew the inevitable was going to happen. While my hair got thin to the point of being almost bald I think I spent the next 15 years trying to prevent my hair loss and so I have tried pretty much every pill/shampoo/supplement there is. I spent a lot of money and absolutely none of them worked.

Then about 2 years or so ago I came across a video on the internet at the following website:
healthcurenews*com/hairloss (obviously change the * for a dot as it won’t let me post links here). This website shows a method of regrowing your hair via natural treatment methods. I was skeptical but I went ahead with their guide and within a month my hair was already showing signs of regrowth improvement. 6 months later, my hair was thicker than it was when I was 16 and now with occasional treatment I have a stable head of full hair. Have a watch of the video and then see for yourself. I am just sharing a method that worked incredibly for me so please don’t flame me for posting a link if it is against comment guidelines
;

Hello, My doctor says that you cannot take Spironolactone (Aldactone) without being on oral birth control pills. I see from above that you are only on the Spironolactone. Is this correct?