PCOS and hair loss | Everything you need to know bout it:

Polycystic ovary syndrome or ovarian laziness is a female hormonal disorder. This syndrome is also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This disorder is common in women of childbearing age. In women with this syndrome, prolonged or irregular menstruation and high levels of the male hormone androgen are observed. In these cases, the chance of pregnancy decreases. Acne, oily skin, excess facial and body hair growth, or hair loss are other symptoms of PCOS syndrome.

Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome:

• Hair loss with a male pattern
• Hirsutism on the upper lip, chin, sides of the face, chest and abdomen (areas for hair growth in men)
• Less than 8 menstrual periods during the year
• Long and painful menstrual cycles
• Weight gain and obesity
• Acne and pimples on the face due to oily skin
• High levels of androgen hormone
• Pregnancy disorders that require medication

What causes polycystic ovary syndrome?

A woman’s ovaries produce immature eggs or follicles monthly. The follicle grows and releases mature eggs during the ovulation process. In people with this syndrome, the ovaries do not function normally, mature eggs are not made, and hormone balance is upset. It also releases too much testosterone, which disrupts the monthly ovulation process. We do not know the exact main cause of ovarian laziness yet. But there are factors that predispose a person to this disorder:

• High Insulin: The hormone insulin produced by the pancreas regulates blood sugar levels. Insulin converts the cells that receive sugar into energy. In insulin resistant cells this does not happen as a result of high blood sugar. Under these conditions, the body produces more insulin to regulate blood sugar. Too much insulin causes excessive secretion of androgens (male hormones) and interferes with ovarian function.
• Mild Inflammation: Mild inflammation is caused by an infection caused by white blood cells. According to tests, women with this syndrome have a mild inflammation. In this case, androgen production increases and exposes a person to cardiovascular disease.
• Heredity: Studies show that the expression of some genes is related to polycystic ovary syndrome.
• High androgen: High levels of androgen lead to excess hair growth and acne.

Complications of polycystic ovary syndrome

People with ovarian laziness syndrome are more likely to get other diseases. Diseases such as:

• Infertility
• Gestational
• Diabetes
• Pregnancy blood pressure
• Abortion or premature birth
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Uterine lining cancer
• Heart disease
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (severe inflammation of the liver due to accumulation of fat in the liver)
• Metabolic syndrome (a set of medical conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol or high triglycerides that greatly increase the risk of cardiovascular disease)
• Type 2 diabetes or pre-diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Depression or anxiety
• Eating Disorders / Obesity

Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome:

The treating physician diagnoses the disease with the help of physical examination and the use of laboratory tests.

1. Hirsutism Check for facial acne
2. Investigation of insulin resistance
3. Investigation of weight changes
4. Review of menstrual periods
5. Blood tests to measure hormone, blood sugar and cholesterol levels
6. Pregnancy test in case of delayed menstruation
7. Examination of the pelvis and genitals
8. Pelvic ultrasound
9. Your age, symptoms, and condition also play a role in your specialist’s diagnosis.

Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome:

The treatment of this syndrome is more focused on eliminating disorders such as infertility, obesity, acne and abnormal hair growth (Hirsutism). Usually, physicians prescribe lifestyle changes and the use of certain medications. Contraceptive pills are the most common of these drugs.

• Lifestyle changes: Your specialist may advise you to follow a healthy, low-calorie diet, exercise regularly, and lose weight. Studies show that even a very small amount of weight loss, such as 5% of total body weight, contributes to the healing process.
• Birth control pills: The most common drug treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome is the use of birth control pills. These drugs reduce androgen production. Of course, pills do not actually cure the disease, but only improve the symptoms. These drugs reduce symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, acne and pimples and facial hair. On the other hand, birth control pills prevent uterine cancer.
• Male Anti-Hormone Drugs: These drugs reduce acne and abnormal facial hair growth by inhibiting hormone production.
• Progesterone: The hormone progesterone regulates menstruation. This hormone also reduces the risk of uterine cancer.
• Hair Laser: Laser hair removal is also a practical and safe way to remove excess hair. In this method, an electric pulse hits the hair follicle and scares it. After a few laser sessions, no more hair will grow in that follicle.
• Antibiotics and washing solutions: Special antiseptic solutions and lotions for washing the face are recommended by your specialist doctor. In some cases, they may prescribe antibiotics to treat acne.

PCOS syndrome and hair loss

Women’s bodies also produce male androgen hormones. One of these male hormones is testosterone. Androgen promotes the growth of underarm hair and areas around the genital area during puberty. But it also has other important functions. Ovarian cysts increase androgen production. As a result, masculine traits occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

For example, many excess hairs grow in certain areas of the body that are seen in men, such as the face, neck, chest and abdomen. On the other hand, high levels of androgens lead to hair loss and thinning hair. In this way, the front of your head will gradually look thinner and less back. This pattern of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss.

Treating hair loss caused by PCOS syndrome:

In fact, hormonal disorders are the main cause of hair loss in PCOS syndrome. Therefore, regulating hormone levels and restoring them to equilibrium is the main goal of the treatment process. Hormones can be re-adjusted with medication and lifestyle changes. You may have to try several medications and methods to find the right treatment for you. Often the use of several drugs gives the patient the desired results. Here are some effective and common treatments for hair loss caused by polycystic ovary syndrome:

• The use of birth control pills
• Using male – Anti hormone drugs
• Using vitamins such as Biotin and Zink
• Mesotherapy and PRP
• Hair transplants

How is regrowth of lost hair due to PCOS syndrome?

Hair that you have lost due to polycystic ovary syndrome will not grow back on it’s own. But there are several treatments and measures that can help prevent hair loss from PCOS syndrome and stimulate hair regrowth. Using hair mesotherapy/PRP/ hair transplant can do a lot to help regrowth your lost hair due to PCOS syndrome after treatment.