PCOS hair loss affects millions of Indian women, that causes both physical and emotional distress. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, that affects approximately 1 in 5 women in India. At HealthFab, we understand how distressing the hair loss can be, especially when the reason behind is an underlying condition like PCOS. In this blog, we will explore the relationship between PCOS and hair loss. We will also share some of the effective solutions that will help you regain your hair health.
Does hair loss occur due to PCOS?
Yes, PCOS is the main culprit of hair loss in women. Unlike the temporal shedding of hair experienced by many women, the hair loss attributable to PCOS stems from hormonal imbalances that can lead to slow and progressive thinning if the treatment is not done on time. With early diagnosis and appropriate management, there is a good chance that many women can improve their hair growth considerably and attain good thickness.
Also read: PCOS and Alcohol: Everything You Need to Know
How PCOS contributes to Hair Loss
Hormonal Imbalance
At the core of PCOS-related hair loss is a hormonal imbalance. Women with PCOS typically produce higher levels of androgens (male hormones) than women without the condition. While all women naturally produce some androgens, elevated levels can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle and lead to hair loss on the scalp while paradoxically causing excess hair growth elsewhere on the body.
Androgen Sensitivity
Not all women with high androgens experience hair loss. The key factor is how sensitive your hair follicles are to these hormones. In Indian women, we often see varying degrees of follicular sensitivity to androgens based on genetic factors. When hair follicles are particularly sensitive to androgens like testosterone and DHT (dihydrotestosterone), they can shrink and produce thinner, shorter hairs even with moderately elevated hormone levels.
Hair Follicle Miniaturization
One of the most significant processes in PCOS hair loss is follicle miniaturization. This occurs when hair follicles gradually shrink over time due to androgen exposure.
During this process:
- The growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle becomes shorter
- Hair follicles produce thinner, weaker hairs with each cycle
- Eventually, follicles produce only fine, colourless vellus hairs instead of normal terminal hairs
- Some follicles may stop producing hair altogether.
Over time, this miniaturization process leads to noticeable thinning, especially at the crown and frontal areas of the scalp.
Female Pattern Baldness
PCOS is the leading cause of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) in Indian women. Unlike male pattern baldness, which typically causes a receding hairline, FPHL usually presents as:
- Diffuse thinning across the crown and top of the head
- Widening of the central part
- Preservation of the frontal hairline
- Gradual progression over years
This pattern is particularly distressing for many women as it affects the visible top portions of the scalp. Traditional hair styling techniques like center parting may become increasingly difficult as the condition progresses.
How Do I Know If My Hair Loss Is Hormonal?
Distinguishing PCOS-related hair loss from other types of hair loss is important for effective treatment.
Here are key indicators that suggest your hair loss may be hormonal:
- Hair loss occurs primarily at the crown and top of the head
- You also experience irregular periods or missed cycles
- You notice increased facial or body hair growth
- You have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight
- Blood tests show elevated androgen levels
- You have acne that worsens around your period
- There's a family history of PCOS or similar hormone-related conditions
If you experience several of these symptoms together, we recommend consulting with a healthcare provider who specializes in women's hormonal health.
Symptoms of PCOS-Related Hair Loss
Increased Hair Shedding
Many women with PCOS notice increased hair shedding before thinning becomes visibly apparent.
While it's normal to lose 50-100 hairs daily, women with PCOS may notice:
- More hair than usual on their pillow in the morning
- Increased hair in the shower drain
- Larger clumps of hair when brushing or combing
- Constant shedding throughout the day
This excessive shedding happens because more hair follicles enter the telogen (resting) phase prematurely due to hormonal disruption.
Hair Thinning
PCOS hair thinning has distinctive characteristics that differentiate it from age-related or stress-induced thinning:
- It typically affects the crown and top of the head first
- The hair diameter becomes progressively finer
- Thinning often appears more noticeable after washing
- New hair growth is shorter and finer than previous hair
- Thinning is usually symmetric across both sides of the scalp
Many Indian women with PCOS report noticing their thinning when their traditional hair partings begin to look wider or when they struggle to maintain volume in hairstyles that were previously easy to achieve.
Widening Parting
A widening hair part is often one of the earliest and most noticeable signs of PCOS-related hair loss. This happens because:
- Hair loss is typically concentrated at the crown
- The central part naturally exposes the most affected area
- As follicles miniaturize, they produce less visible hair along the parting
- Many women notice this change when:
- Their scalp becomes more visible in photographs
- They need to change their parting style to conceal thinning
- Hair accessories no longer provide adequate coverage
Scalp Visibility
As PCOS hair loss progresses, increased scalp visibility becomes more apparent. This typically follows a pattern:
- Initial visibility along the central parting
- Gradually expanding to the crown area
- Developing into a broader area of thinning across the top of the head
- Sometimes creating a "Christmas tree" pattern of widening toward the front
This increased visibility can be particularly distressing in bright lighting, under direct sunlight, or when hair is wet. Many women report feeling self-conscious during outdoor activities or after swimming, when their hair is more likely to reveal thinning areas.
Is PCOS Hair Loss Reversible?
The question many women ask us is whether PCOS-related hair loss can be reversed. The answer is encouraging but nuanced:
- Early intervention is key: Hair loss caught in its early stages responds better to treatment
- Many women see significant improvement: With proper treatment, most women experience regrowth
- Complete reversal varies: Some women achieve nearly complete restoration, while others see partial improvement
- Maintenance is essential: Ongoing management of PCOS is necessary to sustain results.
The effectiveness of treatment depends on several factors, including:
- How long hair loss has been occurring
- The extent of follicle miniaturization
- Your adherence to treatment plans
- Whether underlying hormonal issues are properly addressed
We recommend a comprehensive approach that addresses both the cosmetic aspects of hair loss and the underlying hormonal imbalances.
Treatment and Management
The foundation of treating PCOS hair loss is addressing hormonal imbalances:
- Oral contraceptives: Combined birth control pills can lower androgen levels
- Anti-androgens: Medications like spironolactone can block androgen effects on hair follicles
- Metformin: May help reduce insulin resistance, which can improve hormone balance
- Ayurvedic approaches: Certain traditional herbs may help balance hormones naturally
For many Indian women, a combination of modern medical treatments with traditional Ayurvedic practices provides the most satisfying results.
Lifestyle Changes
Simple lifestyle modifications can significantly impact hormone levels and hair health:
- Regular exercise: 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week
- Weight management: Even a 5-10% reduction in body weight can improve hormone balance
- Stress reduction: Practices like yoga and meditation help lower cortisol levels
- Sleep hygiene: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep nightly
- Balanced diet: Focus on whole foods with plenty of protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates
These changes not only support hair health but also improve overall PCOS symptoms and quality of life.
Also read: 9 Balanced Indian Lunch Recipes to Support PCOS Management
Medications
Several medications specifically target hair regrowth:
- Minoxidil (2-5%): Applied directly to the scalp to stimulate follicles
- Finasteride: Sometimes prescribed off-label for women with PCOS
- Low-dose corticosteroids: May help in cases with inflammation
- Nutritional supplements: Iron, vitamin D, and zinc supplements when deficiencies are present.
Please note: We highly recommend you to consult with a doctor before starting any medication, as some have potential side effects or contraindications.
Other Therapies
Beyond medications, several promising therapies show effectiveness for PCOS hair loss:
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Injections of your own platelets to stimulate growth
- Low-level laser therapy: Light-based treatments to stimulate follicles
- Microneedling: Creates tiny injuries that stimulate regeneration
- Hair camouflage products: Concealers and fibres for immediate cosmetic improvement
- Scalp massage: Increases blood flow to hair follicles
Many women find that combining multiple approaches yields the best results, especially when treatments target different aspects of the hair growth cycle.
How to Stop PCOS Hair Loss
To effectively stop PCOS hair loss, we recommend a structured approach:
1. Get properly diagnosed: Confirm PCOS with blood tests and ultrasound
2. Address hormonal imbalances first: Work with healthcare providers to normalize hormone levels
3. Be consistent with treatments: Most regimens take 3-6 months to show results
4. Monitor your progress: Take monthly photos in the same lighting to track changes
5. Adjust as needed: Be prepared to modify your treatment plan based on results
Remember that stopping hair loss is the first step—regrowth often follows once the underlying issues are addressed.
Also read: Natural Ways to Induce Periods with PCOS
Home Remedies
While medical treatments are essential, many Indian women find these traditional remedies helpful supplements to their treatment plan:
· Oil massages: Warm coconut, amla, or bhringraj oil massaged into the scalp weekly
· Fenugreek (methi) masks: Soaked seeds blended into a paste and applied to the scalp
· Aloe vera: Fresh gel applied directly to thinning areas
· Onion juice: Applied to the scalp for 15-30 minutes before washing
· Curry leaves: Boiled in coconut oil and applied to the scalp
These remedies can improve blood circulation, deliver nutrients to hair follicles, and sometimes help balance local hormone metabolism in the scalp.
When to see a Doctor
While mild hair thinning might respond to home treatments, certain signs indicate you should consult a specialist:
1. Sudden or severe hair loss
2. Patchy hair loss or bald spots
3. Scalp irritation, redness, or pain
4. Hair loss accompanied by other new symptoms
5. No improvement after 6 months of self-treatment
We recommend seeing either a gynaecologist specializing in PCOS, an endocrinologist, or a dermatologist with expertise in women's hair loss.
Summary
PCOS hair loss is a manageable and treatable disorder for many women in India. Women who have correct diagnosis and treatment along with thorough implementation can see improvement in their hair condition.
Remember, you're not the only person; millions of Indian women around the country face the same challenge in battling PCOS and hair loss. Acting sooner rather than later will help save your remaining hair and possibly reverse much of the thinning that you have undergone. We're hoping you feel free to talk about this with your doctor, explore the spectrum of treatment options available, and consider any recommendations. We hope that this guide has helped you understand the causes, symptoms and effective ways to treat the condition. Feel free to share your experience with us in the comment section below.
References:
· Polycystic ovaries and herbal remedies: A systematic review