PCOS Hair Loss: Cause, Treatment And Home Remedies
Hormones are responsible for various biochemical reactions and changes in our bodies. Although the sex hormone testosterone is commonly associated with male functions, most people are not aware that it is also produced in women too, but in small amounts. PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome – It is a hormonal condition in which there is an imbalance in sex hormones, mainly due to increased levels such as male hormones.
Some symptoms of PCOS include:
Excessive hair loss
Weight gain
Excessive acne
Hair loss or thinning
Irregular menstrual cycle
Excessive growth of body hair, especially on the face and chin.
PCOS Hair Loss: Does Hair Grow Back?
Imbalance hormones usually trigger hair thinning, baldness, and patchiness. Usually, the hair that falls cannot grow back on its own but with proper PCOS hair loss treatment and care, restoration and growth of new hair can be triggered.
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Causes of PCOS
The exact triggers of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are unknown. However, at least one of the following events, changes, or causes takes place in the body of patients with PCOS.
Insulin Resistance: High levels of insulin
Imbalance in Hormones
Genetics
Note: In general, PCOS is also linked to other health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, endometrial cancer, and sleep apnea.
Insulin Resistance: High levels of Insulin
The hormone, Insulin, is produced by the pancreas and its main function is to control and regulate the amount of sugar in the blood by glucose to breakdown and produce energy.
Insulin resistance is a condition where the body cells become unresponsive to the effects of insulin and as a result, the blood sugar levels are not regulated and consequently increases.
Due to the unresponsive nature, the body tries to produce more insulin which has negative side effects on the body and directly interferes with the development of ovarian follicles and thus, also prevents ovulation.
It may also cause excessive weight gain.
Imbalance in Hormones
Women with PCOS, observe the following changes:
High levels of testosterone: A hormone that is largely produced in males, although all women usually produce small amounts of it
Raised levels of luteinizing hormone (LH): A stimulating hormone that may cause abnormal effects on the ovaries, if produced excessively.
The decrease in the levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG): It is a type of protein that reduces the effects of testosterone by binding it to the blood.
Increase in the levels of prolactin, a hormone that stimulates the breast glands to produce milk. Although, this change is very rare.
Although the exact cause of these hormonal changes is not clear, it has highly been linked to the above-mentioned insulin resistance.
Genetics
Some scientists claim that PCOS is a genetic condition, meaning it runs in the family. Therefore, if your mother, aunt, sister, or grandmother is suffering from PCOS, there are high chances that you can have this genetic trait too. As a result, you will be at a higher risk. Diagnosis of PCOS Visit a doctor if you are showing any symptoms of PCOS who will most likely arrange a hormone test.
They may also arrange an ultrasound scan to try to detect for polycystic ovaries- a high number of follicles in the ovaries. Lastly, you may also be required to undergo a blood test to check for diabetes or high cholesterol.
Treatment and Home Remedies: How to Stop PCOS Hair Loss
PCOS cannot be cured. However, this condition is highly manageable and the symptoms of PCOS are highly treatable by some medications and lifestyle changes.
Medications
Hormonal birth control contraceptives
Anti-androgen medication
Metformin
Progestin Therapy
Clomiphene, Letrozole, and Gonadotropins.
Spironolactone and Eflornithine
Hair Transplant
Lifestyle Changes
Daily Exercise – Yoga, pranayamas, meditations, long walks, etc
Low GI diet or low-calorie diet- Avoid food like potatoes, white rice, bread, sweets, sugar products. Eat foods like green vegetables, most fruits, raw carrots, kidney beans, chickpeas, lentils, and bran breakfast cereals.
Limit carbohydrates- Consume low carb foods like banana, apple, orange, or eat high carb foods in limited or controlled amounts.
Maintain a healthy weight- This is because obesity is linked with diabetes which is in turn linked to Insulin resistance and PCOS.
Avoid smoking as it enhances androgen levels
Consume anti-inflammatory foods.
Best Products for PCOS Hair Loss
Zinc-rich foods
Biotin supplements
Vitamin-rich foods
Magnesium-rich foods
Apple Cider Vinegar
Evening Primrose oil
Green tea
Aloe vera juice
Jaggery
Chia and sesame seeds
Cinnamon and honey
Conclusion
The exact causes of PCOS are unknown and hence it cannot be cured. However, the symptoms like hair loss of PCOS are highly manageable up to a point where one is able to live a comfortable and unrestricted lifestyle which just a few changes.