PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is the most common reproductive disorder in women. It affects around one in 10 adult women in the U.S., according to the University of Chicago Medical Center. Symptoms often vary, but a common effect is hair loss. Symptoms usually arrive soon after puberty, though many women only discover they have PCOS in their 20s and 30s.
PCOS
PCOS is the result of a hormone imbalance in the body. High levels of hormones called androgens, such as testosterone, trigger cyst growth in the ovaries. These cysts block the ovaries and stop eggs being released, according to The Ohio State University Medical Center. The trapped eggs can result in infertility. Though the condition causes stress and possible infertility, it's usually not life-threatening. Several treatment options can reduce symptoms and help with normal function of the ovaries.
Hair Loss Pattern
PCOS can trigger androgenic alopecia -- a type of hair loss similar to male pattern baldness. This creates a triangle-shaped thinning pattern from the middle of the scalp out towards the sides and back of the head, according to Walter Futterweit, clinical professor of medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. However, unlike most male baldness, hair at the temples usually doesn't recede.
Androgen and Follicles
Androgens include male hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. DHT is thought to contribute to hair thinning in women with PCOS. Though the causes of hair loss and thinning are still unclear, it appears that androgens such as DHT make head hair follicles shrink. As the follicles shrink, the hair they produce gets shorter and thinner, according to the Genetics Home Reference site from the National Library of Medicine. Hair also sheds more often, resulting in thinning on the scalp.
Hair Thinning Treatments
Doctors treat PCOS in a variety of ways. However, treatment for thinning hair diagnosed as androgenetic alopecia may involve two common treatments. Minoxidil is the only treatment for female hair thinning approved by the FDA, according to the Yale PCOS Program. The other option is the drug finasteride. This counters the amount of androgens in the blood and may help reduce hair thinning. As always, consult your doctor before making any decisions on treatments.
Other Symptoms
Thinning hair is only one symptom of PCOS. Talk with your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms in addition to thinning hair: thicker hair on your arms, chest or face; an unpredictable menstrual cycle; acne on the face, neck and chest; fat around the waist; difficulty getting pregnant; dark patches on your skin.
References
- Ohio State University Medical Center: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- University of Chicago Medical Center: Defining PCOS
- Yale PCOS Program: About PCOS
- American Hair Loss Association: Causes of Hair Loss
- OBGYN.net: A Patient's Guide: Management of Hair Loss in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Genetics Home Reference: Androgenetic alopecia
Member Comments