NWR: Hair thinning and PCOS UPDATE

Ugh that's horrible. I'm sorry you're going through that.

I have PCOS. I have not experienced hair thinning. I have excessive body and facial hair growth. I was on birth control to control my other symptoms but it did not slow down the hair growth at all for me. I just got off the birth control to lose the weight I gained while on it for my wedding.

do you think your hair can be thinning due to stress?

Also maybe ask your dr if you can take folic acid or some other supplements to help your hair grow

I'm so sorry you're going through this!

I also have PCOS, a very severe case (or so my doctor says) and last year, my hair fell out so terribly, and over the period of a week, that I wound up shaving it all off because it looked SO bad. It's growing back, but still very short. Doc said it was a combination between stress and PCOS. Stress is a huge factor in a lot of cases of hair loss, so do a mental check in with yourself!

I use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner and have seen great results. I also take Biotin on top of a regular multivitamin. I was put on birth control to treat the PCOS and it took awhile to find one that helped with my symptoms, but once we found one that worked, a lot of the worst of it subsided. But the hair loss was honestly one of the worst things, and I hope you get it under control! My hair thinned for about two years before it really started to come out.

Not saying all this to scare you, just want to share my experiences. PCOS is widely known to vary person to person. It sucks.

I'm not familiar with your condition. Biotin may help with your hair loss. I take 5000mg a day and a daily women's vitamin and my hair loss from showers and brushing is down by 70%.

PCOS frequently presents with other hormonal issues, and is especially frequently found alongside hypothyroidism, which tends to cause...thinning hair/hair loss. I would definitely have a doctor do testing for thyroid function, including free t3 and free t4 in addition to the usual tsh blood tests, as sometimes the thyroid hormones themselves can be off, but tsh looks normal.

I have PCOS and my hair went from being thick when I was a teenager (when I was diagnosed) to now being thin, when doctors tested my thyroid function a few years ago things were normal...I've been presented with weight gain and infertility. Working to lose weight so I feel better in my skin, and will work on the infertility after the wedding and FH can get me on his insurance. I take Biotin and it seems to help keep it from falling out so bad.

I have hashimoto's since I was 21. I've been dealing with hair issues for almost 9 years now. Definitely got more blood tests done, take more vitamins too.

@onlybattles I appreciate the honesty... I fell down the "Google worm hole" and read a lot that scared me, so your post wasn't unexpected and I'm so sorry you had to go through that!

@sarah w I started taking biotin but it freaked me out that my head felt "tingly" which might have been mental but I read it's side effect.. Since stopping the tingling on the scalp has subsided but I'll ask the endocrinologist on Friday

@mna I'm waiting on my blood results which were taken last Wednesday and I think they tested for everything under the sun. Now I'm just waiting to hear back.

@futuremrsdavis I never had "thick hair" per se but I can't for the life of me remembering seeing my scalp at times when my hair is being pulled back. I have anxiety and I bet that contributes to the stress. I'm just hoping it's not PCOS related and can be reversed. I'm working on getting on FHs insurance also to help with the endocrinologist.. Sorry you're going through this also! It's hard =\

Eta: on mobile and got cut off.

I've read some positive things about castor oil treatments and hair loss. Has anyone tried it?

@masada I haven't tried it, but I have to read about it tonight. I read about Saw Palmetto supplements blocking some of the DTh hormones that come from the excess testosterone.

I didn't try it yet because I didn't want it to alter my blood test results.

I had PCOS. You can take Biotin to help thicken. That's what my dermatologist recommended.

@FutureMrsFrench that's the worst rabbit hole to go down! Try not to worry to much until you get your bloodwork back. I also have hashimotos, which is an underactive thyroid condition, so that definitely played into it, too! Keep us posted (if you want!) and I hope all goes well for you!

@angie I started too but the tingling of the scalp (whether psychosomatic or not) freaked me out so I stopped until I get my results.

@onlybattles I definitely will, I'm hoping to have the results before my endo appt on Friday and hopefully get some answers and peace of mind. Thank you for your support! FH doesn't quite understand

I have PCOS and have the opposite problem, excess hair growth but since being on birth control and other meds it seems better controlled.

@jessinlove because I was diagnosed as "mild" from the sonograms etc my hair growth wasn't out of control, and what was bothersome was lasered and basically that took care of it. Since then I hadn't had an issue until now.. I'm wondering if it's actually PCOS related or maybe something else

I'm sorry to hear that, I have PCOS and in the most recent months I've noticed my hair has thinned out a lot!!! I stopped dying it back in december so that it would be nice and healthy for the wedding but it's actually the opposite.

I did hear that Just Natural products are good for both skin and hair.

I plan to give them a try in hopes my arms will clear and my hair will become fuller

@FutureMrsFrench, hoping you find some answers in your blood work and hoping for the best.

I have PCOS and my doctors collectively suggested Rogaine.

I have tried biotin, lavender oil, shampoos, supplements and nothing has worked but Rogaine.

It can be bought over the counter. And the doctor actually suggested using men's strength.

It has really worked wonders for me. The only catch is that if you stop using it, your hair falls out again. But it's so worth it.

Sorry you're going through this. I know how much it affects self esteem.

@almostbach I heard that About rogaine I was thinking of trying it just to get my hair a bit thicker . Did you have luck with biotin?

Thank you so much @jessinlove it's taking a psychological toll on me lately =\

@FututeMrsFrench, I understand, PCOS messes with my mind . Sometimes I wonder if it will be difficult for me and FH to get pregnant as my Dr has told me before that it's more than likely we will struggle to get pregnant because I have lots of cysts on my ovaries. I just try to stay positive and know we will cross that bridge when we get there.

@jessinlove that's exactly how I feel, we will deal with it when we have To. FH is nothing but supportive and has Been amazing through everything. He helped me through my freak out tonight when I used dry shampoo after he gym. See pictures to understand my melt down