How to Tackle PCOS Hair Thinning: Causes and Treatments

If you are suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or know anyone who is, chances are they have complained to you about hair thinning.

PCOS is known to be one of the most common causes of infertility, affecting anywhere between 6% and 12% of women in the US of reproductive age.

From abnormal facial and body hair growth to hair thinning on the scalp, all are signs of PCOS.

But what really causes these changes? And is PCOS hair thinning even a thing?

Keep reading to find out these causes and how to treat it.

Causes

The exact mechanism by which PCOS leads to hair thinning is not fully understood, but several factors are thought to contribute to this symptom. 

Some of them are discussed below.

High Androgens

Because there is excess androgen, this affects the scalp hair adversely by causing hair loss similar to what happens in men with thinning hair and balding.

“The androgen receptors on the face of both men and women are triggered to grow hair while the opposite effect happens on the scalp.”

Dr. Kim Langdon

It is common for both males and females to produce Androgens, which is typically a male sex hormone.

Androgens have a tendency to

• Make hair follicles smaller in size and reduce their thickness
• Decrease the usual life cycle of a hair follicle, leading to quicker hair loss and slower regrowth

A woman suffering from PCOS produces androgens in excess which might lead to more hair growth on the body but hair thinning on the scalp, similar to Male Pattern Baldness.

Insulin resistance

Often, women with PCOS are insulin resistant, which means that their bodies are inefficient in using the insulin they produce.

Insulin resistance is linked to Androgen synthesis, which is, in turn, responsible for hair thinning.

Low-grade chronic inflammation

Women with PCOS are likely to have high levels of CRP, a marker of inflammation.
And recent studies have liked low-grade chronic inflammation as a factor contributing to hair loss in women suffering from PCOS.

Treatment

Wearing wigs and making hairstyles or getting haircuts for thin hair are some of the ways you can cover up the PCOS hair thinning.

But if you don’t want just to hide it but regrow your hair, here are some treatment options available.

Oral contraceptive pills

Oral contraceptive pills, or hormonal birth control pills, work to balance the hormone levels in the body, including androgens.

Once the Androgen levels are controlled, it not only reduces the PCOS-induced hair thinning but also alleviates other symptoms associated with PCOS.

These include facial hair, body hair, acne, and irregular periods.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil is a topical medication approved by the FDA to treat hair loss in both men and women.

In fact, this is the only FDA-approved medication to treat hair loss in women.

It works by dilating the blood vessels, thereby increasing the blood supply to the scalp and reducing hair loss.

Minoxidil also elongates the growth phase of the hair cycle, making the hair thicker.

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is a medication primarily used as a diuretic or "water pill" and has an antiandrogenic effect.

The FDA does not approve it for this purpose, but it has been shown to reduce hair loss with a favorable safety profile.

Hence, doctors sometimes recommend using it off-label to treat hair loss due to excessive androgen.

Hair transplant

A hair transplant is a surgical procedure to implant hair on the bald/balding areas of the scalp.

In this procedure, the hair and hair follicles are removed from one area with a lot of hair and transplanted to where there are bald patches or thinning.

But it is considered a cosmetic procedure and hence not covered by insurance. 

Also, it doesn't work for everybody.

So talk to a doctor for the best advice on whether or not it is a suitable treatment option for you.

Lifestyle changes

Another way to reduce or control PCOS hair thinning is to control the PCOS first.

Apart from the prescribed medication by your healthcare provider, simple lifestyle changes can also help with PCOS.

Weight management

There is sufficient evidence that weight management can potentially reduce Androgen levels and hence reduce the effects of excessive androgens in women with PCOS.

Weight management includes weight loss, maintenance, and prevention of excessive weight gain.

Zinc supplements

A study conducted in 2015 studied the impact of zinc supplements on women suffering from PCOS.

They found that 50mg of elemental zinc each day for eight weeks had a beneficial impact on hair loss.

Biotin

Research has supported taking biotin to help hair growth.

A 3-month long trial conducted in 2015 observed that oral marine supplements containing biotin helped reduce hair loss and boosted hair growth in the participants.

Although there is not much evidence on whether or not it will help specifically with PCOS-related hair thinning, it might be worth a shot.

Others

Apart from the things mentioned above, stress management, including other supplements such as omega-3 fats, iron, etc., could also improve your hair health.

You can also include gentle hair care products to help reduce thinning due to hair breakage.

Additionally, reducing styling products and heat on your hair can help maintain the quality of the hair.

Takeaway

PCOS hair thinning is caused by multiple reasons, the major one being excessive levels of Androgens.

But the good news is that it is reversible by either controlling the underlying condition, medication, or surgical procedures.

It is also known that certain lifestyle changes like weight management and including supplements like zinc and biotin in your diet can help with hair loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

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