Hi Girls,
I used to have a headfull of beautiful, thick hair, and a hairline so defined I had a widows peak! But ever since my PCOS symptoms started really raging, my hair has thinned dramatically... the front of my hair is receding like a man's, really bad up one side. I've resorted to parting my hair way over (almost like a combover!) and it hid it for awhile, but now it's thinned to the point that the part doesn't even really cover it anymore... I'm so depressed about this. I feel terribly unattractive... I mean, my hairiness I can deal with, but not losing my hair. I got for my first PCOS consultation in a few weeks, but my question is, is there any treatment that can make my hair grow back? Or am I doomed? I'd appreciate any input...
Amanda,
This is more of a reply to let you know you're not alone than to solve the problem. I did have some success years ago (read further down). Still, I figured this can help since I find comfort in reading about gals going through similar situations. It's nice to know I'm not alone. We [all] in this together.
I, too, have had the same problem. I'm 33 and have watched my hair jump off my head over that last 5 years. I'm also doing the comb to the side thing and it's just not working anymore.
In fact, I had my first *real* experience with a stranger making a comment. I was having blood drawn yesterday and the [clueless/heartless] young girl looks straight into my scalp and says "you have really thin hair". She doesn't stop there - she proceeds to rub it in deeper by saying "I've always wanted thin hair because my hair is so thick, but I wouldn't want it as thin as yours". My first reaction was to cry. But instead, I felt sorry for her and how clueless she was. Still, it made me realize that it's noticeable. I can't tell you how many times people have been talking to me and I can see their eyes look up to my hair. I hate going to restaurants that have an overhead light because that's when it can be seen well..there or out in the sunlight (as you mentioned).
So! I'm just chiming in here to stand by you and let you know that I'm looking for answers as well.
If it's any help, I had seen progress with two topicals (rogaine and estradiol) in the past, but stopped because I thought I was going to try starting a family (but PCOS had other plans for me). The topicals can be harmful to a male fetus. I got the topicals from a dermatologist. The rogaine is a special blend he carries in his office.
Now I'm taking metformin (1500mg/day) and back on the topicals. My endo says I should look for new hairs in a couple of months, but I won't hold my breath. Granted, I want so badly for what she said to be true...
I just wanted to say you're not alone. My hair went from Julia Roberts type--so heavy the prom hairdresser couldn't get it to stay up, literally...to 65 year old man hair. I hate it and I obsess in the mirror. I've tried everything topical except Rogain to no avail. I have been trying to get doc to prescribe dutasteride but no luck yet. I am waiting on DHT blood test & GTT and then I will either start met or spiro depending on the test. I've also been on IR diet for a year and only gotten heavier and more tired. I'm seriously considering a wig...especially since DH loves blondes anyway and I could never dye my hair to blonde to where it looks good (I have black-brown hair..shows every white patch )
__________________ Whoa! bfp 11/22/08. A YAZ "reset" baby!
allergy shots 2 yr
Soma sleep apnea pillow--yeah it works, but it wears out after a year
Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.
I'm in the same boat. My hair has been thinning for about 3-4 years....I don't really know. The front of my hair is really thin, and I try to do the semi-comb-over....but there isn't much to comb over. It's visibly thin, and I've had a "friend" point it out to me as well. I hate being anywhere with bright overhead lights. I hate going out actually, for fear that I'll run into someone I knew in the past. I don't want them to see me like this. My eyebrows have been thinning also....though I'm going to look into filling those in with make up. Next up....hair weave?
__________________ -diagnosed October 2002
-Meds: Alesse, metformin, Cytomel, Wellbutrin
-light therapy with a goLITE for seasonal depression
-yoga & meditation almost daily, because it makes me feel good
right now, im trying out to see if exercise helps to improve blood circulation and thus reduce hairloss. my hairloss is bad, extremely bad.. maybe once we get our menses regular, the root of the problem will be solved and the symptoms will go away.. hairloss is just a symptom of PCOS. Its not like we're down with an incurable "hairloss" disease right? so dont be discouraged girls, im very sure it will grow back.
Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement...
I'm thiniking about buying some Rogaine for Women, and see how that works! Any other suggestions?
I am a 20 year old gal (just turned 20 a couple of weeks ago) who was diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia/female pattern baldness when I was 18.
Supposedly it started when I was 15.
In the last year, I have lost about 50% in general thickness, while my diffuse spot keeps on getting more noticeable, with greater part-line/scalp visibility.
I have been on Rogaine since about...October or so. I have also been on some supplements that help my hair stay healthy.
Remember, with any type of hair treatment, especially Rogaine, you have to give it 6 months to a year to assess any regrowth.
And Rebecca --- no offence but what a B!TCH...grr...I hate ignorant, rude people like that.
As for now...frankly I am perusing beautiful wigs and am curious to know what they look like, how they feel, what they'll look like on me, etc.
Laura,
I read several of your replies and I have logged onto heralopecia.com - which gave me great hope in stopping the hairloss. I just wonder have you tried everything that heralopecia recommends? Why would you settle for a wig when there are apparently so many other things/creams/shampoos/meds etc...to try?? You see to be extremely knowledgeable on this hair loss issue. what's up?
I am looking into different options and have some hope from reading heralopecia that i can reverse this problem!! I am determined - NO WIGS YET!!!
Thanks for the complement. I created HerAlopecia.com because I was frustrated at the lack of information regarding women's hair loss on the internet.
I've done massive amounts of reading and researching for this website and my own hair loss issue, thats why I can blab a lot about this condition!
I was faithfully taking many of the vitamins and supplements (flax seeds, evening primrose oil, b-complex vitamins, silica, biotin, grapeseed extract, MSM, iron, daily multivitamin) and rogaine, etc and I noticed a great improvement on my hair. I just wish I wasn't so lazy with it...I stopped about 3 weeks ago with all the supplements :o
I'm just looking at wigs with the hope that I can use them for fun...as opposed to necessity Just kind of an emotional battle that I have...
Laura,
I hope you get back on your routine of supplements.
I am going to start the taking some of the vitamins that you were taking on in addition to what I am taking now. Maybe even Rogaine (still trying to decide on that)
As far as wigs go...your right it can be fun to experiment and use it as an outlet to this stressful situation.
You are a very intelligent 20 year old girl. I wish that I had half the knowledge when I was 20. I am 34 now
I love your website too! I am amazed that you started it. I am registering asap!
Does It Ever Grow Back? 
