[witchyonadiet]

I have had PCOS for a number of years - been on Metformin and Spiro for quite a while. I too have the hair on the face although a lot of mine is blonde - weird. Lately I've noticed that I have - what I think - is signifigant hair loss on my head. I do not see any pattern - from the temples, part wider - bald spots etc. It seems to be more of an overall loss. I know this is a symptom - I spend some time haunting the soulcysters site - but wonder if anyone else has this issue. I am seeing my endo tomorrow - wondering if the weightloss could be a cause as well - in which case can it resolve ? I know there are bigger issues with PCOS and weight - but as a woman this is really upsetting me - I've always had crazy thick hair. Now that I am losing the weight and feeling more confidant it is a major blow to my self esteem.

[fatburner77]

Hi Witchy - I was diagnosed with PCOS about 15 years ago and since then it seems to be under control with the use of birth control pills and an eating/exercise regimen. HOwever, I have been on spironolactone for about one month specifically to combat loss of scalp hair. I told my general practitioner that I am bothered by my facial hair but I am becoming especially upset by my loss of scalp hair...now I am worried that the spiro will have no effect, as you've mentioned that you've been on it for some time now. I can definitely relate to the hairloss being a major blow; it is affecting many things about the way I live day-to-day, and I am always aware of people noticing.
Seeming as though you're visiting the endocrinologist, would you mind sharing with us what s/he has to say about the scalp hair loss? I have only ever heard of using spiro and perhaps Women's Rogaine to treat it, so it would be interesting to hear if there are other options. By the way, be adamant about stating that you've noticed a loss; I went to a dermatologist a year ago and she said to me, "Oh, you don't look like you've had much of a loss." When I told her that I have noticed a distinct loss, she sorta laughed and told me that because I didn't have that distinctive pattern like some PCOS sufferers, she wasn't too worried. I was so upset, because I have been living with my own hair for decades -- I think I know what it typically looks like!

[witchyonadiet]

OK - just got back from my endo. Let me preface this by saying he is new to me - I've seen him maybe 4 times but I have been VERY impressed. He explains everything to me and doesn't rush through the appt. Ok - he looked at the test results I just had done 1 month ago and said my FSH was kind of high - 24 I think. He looked at my head and said it is NOT typical balding pattern and he saw no patches or anything - just an overall thinning. He ordered a TON of bloodwork but went through things we had already done - thyroid, kidney and liver functions - red cell size, SED rate is elevated so he's checking that again although he says its not a diagnostic tool but an indicator to watch for changes. He believes I may have POF or premature ovarian failure (has been at least ten years since my last period - I am 42)and that though I may have had PCOS that if I did have POF that it is a non -issue now. He looked at calcium, folic acid and a few other tests (can't remember them all). Some of the tests are vitamin related. He also told me that hormones are not prescribed long term anymore - that they are generally for a year or two to get you through menopause symptoms - since TTC is not an issue with me.
He also said that stress can do a number on your hair and I HAVE had a very bad year (had a bad cancer scare this winter and with anxiety disorder in general i had - what i think - was a nervous breakdown - although that is not the correct diagnosis).
SO - I have to call Wednesday for test results - and then we'll see. He did say if it is an overall thinning with age it should not get any worse. So I'll let you know what the tests show.
The hormone thing surprised me though.

Oh - wanted to mention - I looked at a rogaine box and it is indicated for male pattern baldness - patches - widening part etc - none of which I have.

[witchyonadiet]

LOL - have you looked at the rogaine website ? Every woman on there has gorgeous thick hair !!!!!!! It scared me to death since it said shedding is typical for the first two weeks - just what I need. What if the Rogaine doesn't work and now your hair is even thinner !!!!!!!!!!

[maryblu]

Make that Minoxidil...I use the generic for women........have for a year and a half...didn't have any "shedding", but it takes a few months to notice a difference, and you have to keep using it. It costs about 10 bucks a month.

Just today, as I was putting my hair up in a bun, I couldn't help but marvel at how thick it felt--still not great tresses or anything, but much better than it was.

I just want you to know, I don't suffer from PCOS...my hair loss is genetic.....all my aunts and my mom had thinning hair....mine just started earlier.......mine (and our family's) is a "pattern baldness"..a bald spot in the back and then thinning in a vee going to the front.

My regret is not starting to use it earlier. Hope it helps someone.

[witchyonadiet]

Thank you so much for your post. I guess my confusion is in the package and website to apply it to the area of thinning - ie" the part line or a patch. My hair is thinning all over - no patches and my part looks the same to me. I am so discouraged - and I have HUGE anxiety issues that I take meds for and so now of course I am focusing on this and making it worse (looking constantly and comparing to other women). I need to try to relax and see what my test results show. But what if nothing signifigant shows up ??? This sucks so bad.

[Nicoyaangel]

I have the same problem. My hair is curly and it used to be soooo thick. Now, its all thin and since i have facial hair I hide behind my hair. But when I put it up in a ponytail I can feel that its sooo thin. I hate looking at old pictures because I have sooo much hair. *sigh*

[RLG1023]

I have noticed I had a significant hair loss. Any meds to stop it?

[NightengaleShane]

Originally Posted by RLG1023

I have noticed I had a significant hair loss. Any meds to stop it?

Take prenatal vitamins. They'll make your hair grow like crazy.

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

LADIES ~ just wanted to share my experience with you all; I also lost my hair; first patches, then a general thinning all over; some grew back, but one stubborn patch on the right side of my head remained for over 24 years. I saw a specialist, who at the time thought some STESS OR SHOCK to my system caused it (as I was only in my mid-twenties; but little did he know that I had just been on a very strict diet to lose a quick twenty pounds, but he didn't ask me that).

As a teen, I was diagnosed with a mineral deficiency; so took the pills until the boils went away; life goes on; I stop taking them cuz I'm OK now, right? Fast forward twenty+ years; I have overall thinning again and that one stubborn spot the size of a toonie (or an egg) is still there. But I started what is referred to as pera-menopause, which I now know can come from the age 40-60 years old.

I come down with a bad viral flu and can't shake it; so I upped my vitamins and minerals (to twice a day, cuz of my size), which I had resumed cuz the boils had come back (and this took them away again), so I decided I'd better take these vit+min for the rest of my life). WELL, miracle of miracles, this spring, all my hair grew back in and now I have my beautiful thick mane again with no more bald spots.

Also, I just read the other day on the net that menopause also causes hair thinning (and balding in some women) as well as facial hair growth. My doc put me on METFORMIN (I also had missed many periods) and after starting the vitamins and minerals, my periods came back (not as regular though). With the MET, they are more consistent, but at times, a little heavier.

When my dose was cut down recently to 250-500 mg once a day (with dinner) as my sugars are also now good, they are starting to lighten up a bit. SORRY FOR RAMBLING ON, but that's how it all came about. My mom and sis also had hair fall out in pregnancy, and it is always rec to take vitamins + minerals for this.

As your doc says, stress and hormones can play a part, but I would try the vitamins and mineral supplements first before any meds, cuz you have been losing a lot of weight like me (CONGRATS, by the way).

Your doc sounds like a good one; ask him what he thinks; and Thanx for sharing this, as I'm sure there a many women going thru this right now (or will be in the future). ROSEBUD

[witchyonadiet]

Thanks for all the replies. I have just added a multivitamin and Biotin. I have lost a good amount of weight in a relatively short time and although I am eating healthier - I'm sure I can use vitamins. Where it is an overall thinning I am hoping thats what it is. I also read that a lack of protein can do it so I am trying to figure out what my protein intake has been - I rely on Weight Watchers and Lean Cuisine and the protein seems fairly decent. Also - the protein in my bloodwork was in normal range - not sure if that is the same thing or not. Anyway - will keep you posted when I get the results next week of all the tests that are being done. It's so nice to have people to talk to about this stuff and bounce ideas off of !!

[CLCSC145]

Witchy, don't forget that weight loss in and of itself often causes hair loss (all over). It's really common. As if we haven't put up with enough to lose the weight!

[witchyonadiet]

Well my test results show I am in menopause - and if he is right about the POF I may have been in menopause since my late 20's. I don't know why this has me so damn upset - I wasn't planning on getting pregnant but I've spent the better part of ten years trying to get my period to start and now I find out I was wasting my energy. My vitamins all look good and thats all I got from the office staff. I wrote a letter to him - dropping it off tomorrow - begging him to let me try flutamide for the hair loss. I can't even function I am so freaked out. Bought Nioxin tonight and going to start on that but this is by far the WORST problem with the PCOSor POF that I could have imagined. Hair is something most people take for granted. Everyone I look at now I look at their hair - LOL - I am such a mess.

[CLCSC145]

Oh, Witchy! I'm sorry this has you so stressed especially coupled with the news of menopause. I've been freaking out a bit myself with my hair falling out in the last month. If it's primarily from the weight loss, it WILL stop and come back. I guess it lasts anywhere from 2-6 months generally. In my mind I'm screaming, but what if I'm BALD in 6 months?! I figure stressing out about it, though, is only going to make it worse. So I take my vitamins and hope for the best. Did you ever notice that people who have WLS often have thinning hair (I didn't, but I have been losing at a good clip)? I understand it can take a year to rebound. Argh. Hang in there...

[witchyonadiet]

Thank you - I am so useless with this anxiety stuff. Trying to use the "be pro active" approach. Wrote a letter to my endo asking for Flutamide. Started using Nioxin last night and I really likes how it makes my hair feel - we'll see if it helps. Even though I am totally repulsed by my naked body I am continuing to exercise and lose weight and get healthier. Taking a multi vitamin now and Biotin. I am asking the goddess for help - both with my hair AND my anxiety - LOL !!!!!!!

Are you on spiro or anything ?????