So, I am obese and recently diagnosed with PCOS. I knew I had PCOS years ago, but both my doctor and my gyno said there was no reason to pursue treatment since I was not trying to conceive. Well, several weeks ago, I could not take the symptoms anymore and decided to go to an endocronologist.

Besides the many, many pounds I need to lose, and the skin discoloration, skin tags, and irregular periods, I have been losing my hair. Now I know that this is not uncommon with PCOS, but got any ideas on how to combat it? The endo was not that helpful because she did not seemed convinced I was having hair loss issues.

I am sick of people trying to tell me it's all in my head! (no pun intended) I KNOW my own hair. I'm the one who looks in the mirror everyday; I'm the one who has had to change the style to hide the thinness on top. Yes, it could be worse, but my point is I want to stop it NOW before it gets too bad. I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks,
Savanah26

Did your endo prescribe metaphormin? I think I read on this fourm somewhere that it helps with the hair loss.

What endocronoligst did you go to? I love in Mckinney just north of Dallas and I have been having a horrible time finding an endo that knows anything PCOS. I found a reproductive endocronoligst in Irving but he normally only treats people who are trying to get pregnant so I am afraid he might make me go somewhere else and I will have to start the doctor seach all over again.


Good Luck!

Are you on any medications? My gyn put me on progesterone, and my hair fell out by the triple handfulls. It was to the point where my pony-tail holder had to wrap around an extra time, that's when he finally believed me. He asked me if I had ever had my thyroid checked, that's a symptom of hyperthyroid. Then, he looked in my chart, DUH! The progesterone was the culprit. It's starting to grow in again. There's 2 possible reasons for you. Good luck!

My endo is Dr. S.K. Lakhian. Her office is located in one of the medical buildings on the Plano Hospital campus. It's at Coit Rd. and 15th Street in Plano. She's part of the Endocrine Associates of Dallas. I've just started seeing her, but she seems very personable and has many patients with PCOS.

I will start taking glucophage XR next week when the rest of my lab works comes back. Hopefully that will help with the hairloss, but I am always looking for other solutions.

Good Luck with your doctor search.

Savanah26

Hi Savanah - I had to register just to reply to your post! I diagnosed myself with pcos by keywording my symptoms - obesity, hair loss.... none of my doctors took my problems seriously. A female dermatologist at a university hospital diagnosed me with female pattern baldness and then said that some women just go bald, it couldn't be any other hormone other than thyroid and she had checked that... I was so angry - so I know how you feel.
But - on to your concerns. Obesity and insulin resistance makes you an "androgen" factory. Your system is really pumped with testosterone right now. The best thing you can do to halt your hair loss is to deal with the weight issue ... I found that taking off 60 pounds was very helpful to me, although I still have 50 pounds to go. If your doctor will prescribe metformin - that and a low carb (healthy carb) food plan will help a lot. Also, try saw palmetto - this is herb men take for prostate problems. It is an effective anti-androgen if you don't wish to take prescription medication. My hair is growing back, slowly. At least I no longer handfuls of hair to pick up after my shower.

There is also a book - hair savers for women -
maggie greenwood-robinson. This is a good introduction to hair loss, but does not deal specifically with pcos. however, it does explain nicely why hair falls out b/c of androgens. Also provides information on nutritional deficiencies that can exacerbate hair loss.
One thing I can tell you - most doctors don't know anything about female hair loss and they will not admit that they don't know - try rogaine, which is not bad while you lose weight. Educate yourself by trolling the internet and you will find good information. However, be patient as the regrowth process takes a long time.

Good luck, pan

Thanks for all the info ladies! I really appreciate it.

Hi Savanah,

I just wanted to say that I'm sorry your doc/gyn didn't treat you as soon as you were diagnosed. It's so important to treat PCOS to the best of your ability regardless of whether you're ttc or not, especially if you're insulin resistant because that makes you a candidate for diabetes and other health issues.

I was in a similar situation where my doctor said there was no need to treat it until I was TTC, so I did my own research, insisted on her referring me to a gynecologist, and now I'm on metformin 1500mg's. I wish I had done this a year ago when I was diagnosed because it truly has been a miracle drug for me even though I've only been on it for 7 weeks. I finally got my period after not getting one on my own for a year, and I've noticed my facial hair has become so much softer and almost invisible. I've heard it has helped others with hair loss and weight also even though I don't suffer from either one.

Anyways, I just wanted to say that there are a lot of options out there and if you do some research you can choose what's best for you. Best of luck!