PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a kind of endocrine illness that affects around 5% to 10% of teenage and reproductive-age women around the globe. PCOS is a common disorder that impairs the function of the ovaries, causing them to overproduce androgens in women. PCOS can cause various symptoms, including hirsutism, a condition in which a woman’s body develops excessive or unwanted hairs on the body and even face.
Not all women with PCOS get excessive hair growth. However, hair loss or hair thinning, commonly referred to as a female pattern hair loss, has also been noted in few women.
What Causes Hair Loss in Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
A woman’s body naturally produces androgens, or male hormones, including testosterone in minimal levels. Androgens are steroid hormones that play an essential role in puberty and hair development in the pubic region, armpits, and face.
In women with PCOS, the body produces more androgen, resulting in virilization. When a female body acquires male pattern hair growth and other bodily masculine characteristics, this is known as virilization.
Excessive hair on the chest, neck, and belly, as well as facial hair on the chin, cheeks, and upper lip, are all frequent signs of virilization.
Hair loss on your head, especially towards the front of your scalp, might be caused by an excess of androgens. This is known as androgenic alopecia or female pattern hair loss.
Hair loss as a result of PCOS will not regrow on its own. You may be able to promote the development of new hair using medication.
Best Supplements for PCOS Hair Loss
Supplements claim to help with PCOS-related hormone control, insulin resistance & inflammation resulting in hair loss control.
Biotin ( Vitamin H)
Vitamin H deficiency can cause skin rashes, alopecia, candidiasis, and conjunctivitis. Biotin supplementation promotes hair development, especially in women with PCOS.
Vitamin E
As a lipid-soluble vitamin and free radical scavenger, it keeps the antioxidant and oxidant systems in check. Furthermore, this lipid-soluble vitamin increases endometrial thickness in infertile women.
According to research, Vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acid co-supplementation yield favorable testosterone levels in women with PCOS.
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Zinc
Zinc is a mineral required by numerous enzymes involved in cell division and protein synthesis.
Zinc deficiency affects numerous organ systems and can be hereditary or acquired. This deficit may have an impact on both the structure and development of your hair. Hence zinc should be a must added supplement for hair loss
Fatty acids
Malabsorption diseases such as cystic fibroids, hair loss on the scalp and eyebrows linked to PCOS, and hair thinning may be caused by a lack of the essential unsaturated linoleic acid(omega-6-fatty acids) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3 fatty acids).
The omega-6 fatty acid may control androgen action by inhibiting five alpha-reductase, and it works the same as finasteride.
Furthermore, unsaturated fatty acid (arachidonic acid) promotes hair development by increasing follicle proliferation. For more significant outcomes, you can combine these various fatty acids and antioxidants.
Vitamin D
This essential trace element is required for the hair follicle cycle. It also aids in skeletal development, bone mineral density, serotonin synthesis control, dental health, and calcium management.
Vitamin A (Retinol)
Steroid metabolism, antioxidant activity, cumulus cell inhibition, and oocyte nuclear maturation are all aided by retinol-derived metabolites such as retinoic acid, retinoids, and retinol. Retinoic acid synthesis-related genes are generally expressed differentially in PCOS patients.
Proteins and Amino acids
Protein shortage can cause hair loss. In certain women with PCOS who did not react to iron treatment alone, a combination of L-lysine and iron supplementation significantly raise mean serum ferritin concentration.
Best Shampoos List For PCOS Hair Loss
1. Anti-dandruff shampoo - Nizoral
This anti-dandruff shampoo contains 1% ketoconazole, a useful ingredient that has been shown to help treat dandruff outbreaks. This itchy scalp shampoo has a rich, thick lather that rinses clean, leaving your hair feeling fresh and helping to alleviate itchy, scaly, and flaky scalps. The active component in Nizoral helps to prevent dandruff-related hair loss.
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2. Apple Cider Vinegar Thin2thick Set Shampoo Conditioner By PURA D'OR
The thin2thick shampoo, which has 15 essential components, helps your hair detox from harsh chemicals found in conventional hair treatments. The key ingredient, apple cider vinegar, helps regulate and restore your scalp’s natural pH balance, preventing hair loss and dehydration. This improves the ability to maintain your hair lustrous and healthy.
This shampoo protects your scalp from dryness, flakes, and irritation with ingredients including keratin, aloe Vera, niacin, and rosemary. In addition, it encourages hair that is thicker, smoother, more substantial, fuller, and healthier.
3. Biotin shampoo and conditioner combo from Belliso for hair growth
This shampoo is designed to stop DHT from causing hair thinning and loss. It contains biotin, zinc collagen peptides, and spirulina extract, making your hair thicker, longer, and fuller while also preventing hair loss and thinning.
The product’s essential vitamins are needed for hair development in men and women with all hair types.
4. Shampoo with biotin for thinning hair by Honeydew
This biotin pyrithione zinc shampoo is meant to improve the appearance of your hair by moisturizing it and making it seem fuller, moisturized, and healthier.
The biotin with keratin zinc pyrithione shampoo scalp cleanser clears any dry build-up on your hair and scalp, improving the appearance and scent of your hair. Jojoba oil, argan oil, and coconut oil are among the nourishing essential oils.
5. DHT blocker shampoo with No Sulfates
This beautiful shampoo is developed to help combat hair loss due to hormone imbalance, female pattern balding, male pattern balding, thyroid symptoms, fading hairline, postpartum, and scalp problems.
This shampoo’s antioxidants, vitamins, and botanicals help clean the scalp and improve the follicle metabolism, creating an ideal environment for hair regeneration in both males and females with all hair types.
Procapil aids in the prevention of follicle aging. On the other hand, Biotin helps create a healthy environment for hair that is more strong, thicker, and healthier.
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6. Shapiro MD Shampoo and conditioner for hair loss
More than ten thousand women and men have benefited from this innovative hair shampoo, which has helped them recover thicker, fuller, and healthier hair.
It includes a green tea ingredient, which protects hair follicles from hormones that cause hair loss. It also contains saw palmetto, which has been demonstrated in clinical studies to assist hair’s regular growth cycles. It also has caffeine that helps revive underactive hair follicles.
7. Shampoo For Hair Loss - Nourish Beaute Vitamins
This fantastic product encourages hair regeneration, thickness, and volume. It has been clinically proven to promote hair growth while also reducing hair loss. This shampoo contains moisturizing coconut and castor oils, as well as biotin.
This botanical combination of natural substances helps to nourish the scalp by providing vitamins and vital fatty acids. This is a perfect daily shampoo to balance, smoothen and boost hair volume.
8. Hair Surge by Ultrax Labs caffeinated shampoo
This contains saw palmetto, which inhibits 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that aids in the conversion of testosterone to DHT, which is a major cause of baldness. This product’s combination of peppermint oil, niacin, and mango butter helps to strengthen hair follicles at the root without making the hair oily.
Caffeine, the powerful active ingredient, helps stimulate the life cycle of follicles, encouraging healthier hair.
9. Peppermint Oil Shampoo And Conditioner Combo From Botanic Hearth
This amazing product is created with 100% peppermint oil, which has a pleasant smell and leaves your hair and scalp feeling clean, rejuvenated, and energized. The hair blossoming recipe, which contains healthy nutrients like coconut oil, argan oil, tea tree oil, vitamin E, and H, makes your hair thicker, fuller, and healthier.
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10. Hair Regrowth Treatment Serum by Nourish Beaute
This lightweight anti-hair loss serum has been clinically proven to decrease hair thinning, promote hair regeneration on damaged regions, and enhance hair volume in both women and men.
It is 2X more effective and faster than Minoxidil. The powerful essential ingredients such as biotin, caffeine, coconut oil, keratin, and vitamins are combined with effective DHT blockers to create the most effective alopecia treatment.
PCOS Hair Loss Treatment Options
So far, the only treatment authorized for female pattern baldness is topical Minoxidil. However, in this section, we will explore alternative treatments that may be beneficial.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil 2% solution increases the volume and density of hair on the affected region. It should only be used twice a day for a minimum of one year on the afflicted area of the scalp.
Finasteride & Dutasteride
Finasteride encourages hair regeneration by boosting hair quantities. A daily dosage of 2.5 mg finasteride combined with an oral contraceptive comprising drospirenone and Ethinyl estradiol is suitable for women.
Combining dutasteride and finasteride is more effective for women suffering from FPHL, hirsutism, and nodulocystic acne.
Finasteride has a lower risk of adverse effects in men than in women. As a result, premenopausal women with PCOS should use safe contraception throughout treatment. The medication might cause the male embryo to become feminized if taken while pregnant.
Because testosterone is converted to estradiol by the enzyme aromatase, this treatment approach causes a modest increase in estrogen levels. As a result, this treatment option is not recommended for women who have had breast cancer in the past.
Anti-Androgens
Synthetic orally administered anti-androgens such as cyproterone acetate, flutamide, and spironolactone prevent androgen receptor binding. Spironolactone lowers testosterone production in the adrenal gland. Even though it has not yet been approved to be used in FPHL, it has shown to be effective in treating hirsutism linked to PCOS.
Transplantation of Hair
A trained and experienced surgical practitioner performs a multi-step operation in which hair follicles are implanted individually following the patient’s natural hairline. The outcome will be determined by the availability of a suitable donor area, the quality of the hair harvested, the amount of transplanted hair, and the receiver location.
Analogs of Prostaglandins
Bimatoprost and latanoprost were developed to treat glaucoma in the eyes, and doctors noticed that one of the side effects was the growth of eyelashes. As a result, it was applied to the bald scalp for hair restoration. A study on men found that 0.1 percent Ianatoprost increased hair density on the afflicted scalp area compared to placebo and baseline.
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Treatments with Lasers And Light
These are monochromatic lights with infrared wavelengths ranging from 600 to 1400 nm. Light treatments can aid hair growth. The light treatment effect could be due to the scalp absorbing infrared light, which is then absorbed by the cellular respiratory chain; however, the mechanism remains uncertain.
The LaserComb hair MaxR is a portable wavelength laser device that is commonly promoted as a hair restoration treatment for patients with PCOS hair loss. It’s so unfortunate for women because no published research has demonstrated the efficacy of this technology, but a study has been shown how it improves hair loss in men.
PCOS hair loss is a frequent ailment that gives people a great deal of distress. According to recent research, PCOS hair loss is linked to metabolic syndrome.
Immediate diagnosis and treatment are critical, and this ailment frequently needs a multidisciplinary approach. And, while several treatments for PCOS hair loss are beneficial, it is vital to thoroughly self-evaluate to include and exclude treatments that may or may not work for you.
Also, before using any of the supplements or taking any medications, see your doctor. technology, but a study has been shown how it improves hair loss in men.
Related post you may wish to read
1.Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5315033/
2. Female Pattern Hair Loss
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3968982/
3. Long-Term Response of Hirsutism and Other Hyperandrogenic Symptoms to Combination Therapy in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29878857/
4. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Pathophysiology, Presentation, and Treatment With Emphasis on Adolescent Girls
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31384717/
5. The effect of nutrient supplementation in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome-associated
metabolic dysfunctions: A critical review
