How Can I Prevent PCOS Hair Loss?
You brush your hair and notice that more strands are falling out. You realize that your natural part is getting thinner and wider–so much so that you can see the color of your skin beneath it.
Hair loss is more than just a cosmetic problem; it can also reduce your self-confidence and even cause depression. If you have polycystic ovary syndrome, (PCOS) you may be wondering how much worse the hair loss can get. When examining PCOS hair loss, we take a close look at your medical history and seek practical solutions to battle your hair loss.
At Chapel Hill OBGYN, we combine the convenience and personalized care of a small practice with the state-of-the-art equipment and access that you’d expect from larger medical groups. This personalized approach to medicine is what truly sets us apart. We encourage you to experience this difference for yourself. All it takes is scheduling an appointment. Our gynecologists in Chapel Hill and Durham are accepting new patients!
How Can I Prevent PCOS Hair Loss?
Why am I losing my hair?
If you have PCOS, you may be producing more androgen, a male hormone, than is normal. As a result, you can develop female-pattern hair loss (sometimes referred to as alopecia.) In addition, you may have hair that is brittle, dry and damaged.
Preventing PCOS Hair Loss
The best way to prevent PCOS hair loss is to work with us to find answers. We’ll look at your complete medical profile and devise a strategy to keep you from losing your hair.
Some potential ways to prevent hair loss caused by PCOS include:
- Eating a nutritious diet and paying close attention to the vitamins and minerals necessary for healthy hair. These include:
- B vitamins
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Selenium
- Fatty fish, such as salmon (Please speak to us if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant. Some fish are off-limits due to their high mercury content. We’ll give you information on what is safest for you and your baby.)
- Walnuts
- Vegetables
- Minimizing stress (while not technically related to PCOS, stress can make your hair loss progressively worse.)
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy body weight
- Getting adequate sleep
These changes can all impact your hormonal levels, which is important not only in managing PCOS but also in minimizing your hair loss.
You can also help keep the hair you have by:
- Using care with bands, barrettes and rollers, making sure they aren’t too tight.
- Avoiding blow drying from damp to dry hair. Don’t hold the blow dryer too close to your hair.
- Rinsing your hair thoroughly after shampooing and conditioning.
- Avoiding brushes with sharp bristles.
How Do I Know If I Have PCOS?
PCOS is an imbalance in your reproductive hormones that stops ovulation. As a result, cysts form on your ovaries. We diagnose this condition by evaluating your symptoms and conducting an ultrasound to get a closer look at your ovaries.
Is PCOS Hair Loss Reversible?
It’s possible. With proper treatment, your hormonal imbalance can be corrected, and your hair will likely come back. However, it does take time for hair to regrow, so you shouldn’t expect instant results.
Speak to us before you take a topical hair growth product like Rogaine, particularly if you’re trying to conceive. Rogaine and its generic equivalents can be harmful to the fetus and should not be used if you are breastfeeding.
We Will Answer All Your Questions About PCOS Hair Loss – Just Schedule an Appointment
We recognize that losing your hair is not just a cosmetic issue–it can take a toll on your self-confidence. If you have PCOS, you’re much more likely to experience hair loss, but embracing the techniques and treatment we’ve outlined can help you prevent PCOS-related hair loss.
But PCOS affects more than your hairline. It can make it difficult to get pregnant, and, in certain cases, place you at higher risk for Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. That’s why it’s crucial to schedule an appointment with us if you’re showing any symptoms of PCOS.
See why we’re the provider of choice as the leading gynecologists in Chapel Hill and Durham. Simply request an appointment to get started.