PixieMay

Hello everyone
I was diagnosed with PCOS two months ago by my OB/GYN. My main concern is hair loss. I've lost about 50% of my hair in the last year. It is very obvious, especially the top and back. I had abdominal surgery last year and my doctors said it was stress and surgery which were causing my hair loss. But now, with the PCOS diagnosis and the 'male pattern' hair loss I am thinking it has to do with the PCOS (my testosterone levels were too high).
My family doctor said he does not think the hair loss is PCOS related and prescribed me a topical steroid lotion (which I have not been using).
I was nervous at my OB/GYN appointment and forgot ask hair loss questions.
I really would like something done, the hair loss is very tramautic for me.
Do you guys think I should ask for a referral to an Endo or dermatologist? Which one knows more about hair loss?
Thanks for any help!

KatCarney

To be honest, if this is a doctor you like, and want to keep seeing, I'd have a very frank talk with your family doctor showing him the volumes and volumes of research on PCOS and hair loss, and ask him what his basis is for going 'against current thought.'

If you couldn't care less about this doctor, I'd find another one who bothers to check the literature. S/he will make referrals from a more informed position.

Please check the download guide at the top of the Research Articles forum (you might want to give your doctor a copy, since it has all of the most relevant pcos research organized by topic), or pull some of the studies here on PCOS and hair.

In this day and age, for a doctor to say that pcos and hair loss aren't related, he had better be able to back that up with something really good...

__________________

Lisa11

I agree with Kat, it's important to have a "well read" doctor.

Personally, I love my endocrinologist. Why? Because he's the type of doctor who listens very carefully, is open to ideas, well versed in research and respects my opinions about my care. I think I've been lucky, I've had two endos since I've had PCOS and they were both very good.

__________________
PCOS w/ insulin resist, Iron deficiency anemia, Hyperlipidemia
Metformin
Iron
Welchol

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

CarmenSandiego

It has been my experience that the endocrinologists I've seen, appear to have more knowledge on PCOS in general (again, just my experience). The derm told me it was TE (I'm not sure it is) and the gyn didn't seem to think I had any problems since I wasn't overweight and anovulatory (don't worry folks, I don't plan on seeing him AGAIN!).


I would recommend calling up a few doctors first and asking them out-right if the practice handles patients with PCOS. It's always a good sign if someone even recognizes PCOS without asking, "huh?" LOL!