Help! I have been having problems with hair loss and excess facial/body hair for several years, but it seems to be getting worse...especially the hair loss. I have been wearing my hair tied back, as it seems to "cover" the really thin parts on the crown of my head, but the pulling of hair elastics seems to make it worse. I've got really dark hair and pale skin (a natural "goth"!) which makes any hair loss really obvious, as my white scalp shines through my thinning hair. I'm a student who lives with three housemates, and I am really self-conscious. I've started wearing bandanas and hats, and am debating getting a wig. I can't go out without some sort of head covering. Has anyone got any ideas for how to style your hair to minimize the appearance of thinning or has anyone tried a wig or hairpiece?
Hi there big hugs I am in exactly the same boat as you except my hairloss involves recession of the frontal hairline and overall thinning .. I currently wear exensions but I cant cover the bonds too well its getting harder and harder ...
I am looking into cosmetic too there are loads of options other than just a wig ... you could probably get away with a topper or partial peice ..
Thanks so much for your helpful advice and support! (((Big hugs))) to you, too!
I've felt really isolated, because no one understands my "problem" (sometimes I don't think that the doctors understand either). Every time I have a shower, large clumps of my hair clog the drain. I find my hairs everywhere - on my clothes, in my carpet- and I don't know what to do about it. I've tried numerous medications - Spirono, Diane 35, Rogaine, Nioxin, even saw palmetto, biotin and vitamin B supplements and injections. Nothing seems to work. I'm only in my twenties and I will soon have no hair. This in addition to being overweight (around 200lbs on a 5'1 frame, although I've stopped weighing myself), spots, painful irregular periods and coarse, dark hair everywhere except on my head. Needless to say, I am really depressed, too. Strange to say it, but it is good to know that you are not alone.
I am glad that I have found such a supportive community here! I will check out those links that you sent! Thanks again for your support!
I too started with thinning hair in my twenties. The thing that helped me the most was working out. I started working out to alleviate stress, which I thought contributed to my hair loss - this was before my PCOS diagnosis. I didn't work out for the weight as much as to feel less stressed. But some weight did eventually start to come off and my hair started to get better. I'm in a position now where I cannot work out for another month due to a minor surgery so I'm really depressed too as my hair has become to get REALLY thin and my weight has escalated by 18 POUNDS! I can definitely relate but I have to say, do not give up - as long as you still have hair I believe there is still hope. But also know, that if wearing a wig will help you, there is NO SHAME in it. I understand the need to get through the day as I am also very self conscious. I'm also, going to check out those web sites too.
Sarah, I wear a partial hairpiece because I have hairloss on the top and at my hairline. These hairpiece, or "toppers" can be a great solution if your hairloss it concentrated on the top of your head, but the rest of your hair on the sides and in the back is still fine. You can get a hairpiece to match your hair perfectly and then style it along with your own hair. Sally gave you two good links where you can learn about hairpieces.
My hairloss has progressed a lot, not everyone's does but mine has, and soon, I will need to wear a full wig rather than a hairpiece. It's not the end of the world, though of course, ANYONE would rather have their own hair. Wigs are way better and prettier than they used to be. Frankly, the ones I've tried on look way better than my own hair ever did!
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
Star Maden my loss is diffuse in that the sides and back are thinning as well ... will that not make me a candidate for a topper do you think ???? ... maybe I should consider moving into full wigs .. god this is so complex isnt it ..... got that panic feeling washing over me again !!!!
Hairloss is by FAR the worst symptom of PCOS....... I wouldnt wish this on my worst enemy .. doctors dont care in fact they looked at me like I was creating a mountain out of a mole hill because I couldnt mentally cope with it .....
Star Maden my loss is diffuse in that the sides and back are thinning as well ... will that not make me a candidate for a topper do you think ???? ... maybe I should consider moving into full wigs .. god this is so complex isnt it ..... got that panic feeling washing over me again !!!!
Sally, I think most of us who wear toppers actually DO have some diffuse thinning on the sides and the back. It's just that with the extra hair of the topper, you get enough hair total in those areas that it works. It's on the top and for some like you and me, front where we REALLY need a lot of coverage, so that's where the topper's base is. But with the hair falling down and blending with our hair on the sides and back, well, the diffuse thinning there isn't as noticeable at all. So, if you haven't tried a topper, Sally, I really wish you would at least give one a chance.
If you've ever seen a picture of BenFranklin on American currency, that's what I look like. http://teachpol.tcnj.edu/amer_pol_hist/fi/00000056.htm Well, honestly, I am WAYYYYYYYYYYYY prettier than him, but that's what my hair looks like. I still have enough hair on the sides and back for the topper to work VERY well. It's just that I have lost so much on my temples now, and I like to wear my hair pulled back at the sides, or in a pony. And when I do that now, with the topper, there's too much of a contrast at my temples. So, really, I need to go in and get a new cut/style so I can wear the hair down more over my ears.
Or, I could go into full wigs. I have several to play around in, and really, it's not that scary. I've gone to the mall and places in them, and I've done fine. And, the responses from the girls, and boys, at WS have convinced me that when I decide to go with full wigs, I'll be just fine, that life will go on, and I can be happy and normal. I trust them emotionally over there.
I think for you, Sally, the anxiety is also a big issue, and I know it gets that way for me sometimes, too. The anxiety is almost a bigger problem than the hairloss! I take meds for panic disorder, and those help me with my anxiety issues, which I've had for more than ten years. Also, counseling helps me, talking through the "grief" of going through this. Because ultimately, we have to be able to put on foot in front of the other each day, and it would be tragic if we let something as silly, in the long run, as hair, dictate our lives.
Big hugzzzz, girl.
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
Thanks a lot Star Maiden yourpic of Mr Franklin is closley resembling my pattern .... frontal thinning is getting pretty hard to keep covered .... I see my sepcialist on Saturday so she is honest enough to tell me when extensions are no longer an option .. which I think will be soon as the minustraisation at the temples is so rapid I don't think they will hold the hair ...
I too am on Paxil for anxiety used to suffer panic attacks and such .... I have had councelling for this hair loss but the silly therapist kept going on about my childhood even when I told her its to do with the hair loss ... so I quit !!
Thanks for your advise and kind words once again
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Star Maiden have you ever considered a bonded on peice ??? I cannot access Wig Support at work as MSN is blocked..... but if (sorry WHEN) i go down this route I am planning on going to the bonded route so I dont have to remove it every day .... I just wonder how this can work around the temples again
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Star Maiden have you ever considered a bonded on peice ??? I cannot access Wig Support at work as MSN is blocked..... but if (sorry WHEN) i go down this route I am planning on going to the bonded route so I dont have to remove it every day .... I just wonder how this can work around the temples again
Sally, the thought of gluing something to my head terrifies me. But....then, I am single right now. If I were dating, I might have more concern about someone seeing my regular hair! Right now, I like taking the hairpiece off at night and putting on my comfy warm hat. But I'm sure a man might be terrified!
__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
I may be looking into this too. My derm told me today that I either have PCOS-based hairloss (most likely) or family hairloss (unlikely--even healthy dad looks like a 12 year old's hairline). There are "some meds" to try, but she didn't seem enthusiastic about flutamide or Propecia/Avodart type things. Then she gave coupons for Rogaine and I was out the door.
Anyway, if I *DO* get a full wig, I will be sure and pick out a pretty one, with a prettier color than my natural, boring "poop" brown and real straight hair! I'm thinking blonde or auburn. (Not so weird as it sounds--I too have very pale skin)
__________________ 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've tried numerous medications - Spirono, Diane 35, Rogaine, Nioxin, even saw palmetto, biotin and vitamin B supplements and injections. Nothing seems to work.
The only med to truly stop my hairloss was Flutamide (aka Eulexin).
Some doctors in the US won't Rx it for women, but if you find one who does, it could do the trick for you.
I've also worn wigs (not for hairloss, but because I'm lazy)...word of advice: Cheaper wigs look more real
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Hey, SoulCysters! Need to eat more veggies, but can't find recipes??
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__________________ "I knew I had a problem when I put my underpants on backwards and they fit better..."
Age 46
Obesity, very mild hirsuitism now almost gone with age and met, seriously thinning hair. Regular cycles on met.
Diagnosed with diabetes 8/2003
Not only do I have my shiny thin scalp to worry about concealing over dinner tonight with the president of our co. but i WENT THROUGH A MAJOR HOT FLASH over dinner. I had to excuse myself four times to go to the bathroonm or outside to cool off. I spent SO MUCH time today on my hair until I finally got it to look decent, and then I go through A MAJOR profuse sweating spell in front of everyone. I'm so embarrassed to go into to the office tomorrow. I'll probably top the night off with a night sweat after falling asleep. There has GOT TO BE A LIGHT at the End of the tunnel.
I'm really trying to stay positive but this is a major setback....
Cyn
Should I get a wig? 
