I have been taking Spironolactone, the generic version of Aldactone, for several months. I have noticed that my hair has been sort of thinning. I know Spironolactone is supposed to help lessen facial hair and excessive body hair, but does it also affect the hair we want to have? I'm frustrated!
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Metformin 1000mg
Spironolactone 50mg
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Well, I'm pg right now and therefore off spiro. But I took it for about two years and it definitely helped with the hair that was growing due to male hormones. But it never affected the hair on my head. From what I understand, it should only affect hormonal hair growth.
Maybe your hair is thinning for other reasons? Not real sure about this. Please don't be offended by this question...and I wouldn't ask it if it weren't something I wouldn't likely do myself...but is it possible that you are just now noticing the problem with the hair on your head...or are simply more aware of it b/c of taking the spiro?
At any rate, I would ask my doc about it, but honestly, I don't think it should affect the hair on your head. HOWEVER, some pcos women have a problem with hair thinning/loss....but I've just never heard of excess hair AND hair loss in one PCOS woman...maybe other girls will have different experiences.
Wish you the best.
__________________ "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord." Psalm 113:9
My experience of Spiro has been (mostly) really positive. I took it for about 3 years and I noticed a reduction in excess facial/body hair and acne within about 6 months.
I never had a problem pre-Spiro or during Spiro with thinning scalp hair, in fact just the opposite. Recently I had to come off Spiro due to a (possible) rare side effect but this is still inconclusive as to whether or not it has been caused by the Spiro (my has voice deepened quite considerably and become hoarse).
When I first went on Spiro this coincided with me having my hair shaved off for charity. When it grew back, I was surprised to see that it grew much thicker and faster than ever before. My hairdresser was amazed at how lustrous and thick it had become. It was never really thin but was now very thick for me. We had no idea it was due to the Spiro until I was researching it (to see if it may be causing the side effect I had) when I discovered that in US it is often prescribed to women with thinning hair! I had so much new growth around my forehead hairline that I thought I had been tying my hair back too tight and had broken some hairs but it was just new growth.
I have been off Spiro for about 2 months and over the last 3 weeks I have lost an alarming amount of hair. I wasn't worried at first, as I assumed I was just losing what I had gained but it has gone so thin around my temples that you can now see my scalp and 'empty' follicles where the hair used to grow. The rest of my hair is nice and thick it seems to be mainly the front and temple sections.
Everyone reacts to different drugs in different ways but I had mainly positive effects with Spiro (apart from excess thirst and peeing!) I started Saw Palmetto about 3 weeks after I came off Spiro and I am beginning to wonder if it was this that has had an effect on my scalp hair. Others have claimed to have had great success with their hair thickening up on Saw Palmetto but not me. I still don't know whether or not it has been caused by my androgen levels dramatically increasing since stopping Spiro or Saw Palmetto having an adverse effect. I stopped Saw Palmetto a week ago and restarted Spiro 4 days ago, as I can't stand this hair loss getting any worse. I see the Specialist next Monday to try and decide what is the best thing to do next.
Leisa s, sorry to disagree with you but many PCOSers have excess facial/body hair whilst having thinning scalp hair. This is because the high level of androgens can cause male pattern baldness and production of excess hair, typically in male areas such as face, back, chest and buttocks etc. as well as thickening up hair on usual growth areas like legs, arms, bikini line, armpits etc. So male pattern baldness in women is just as much a hormonal problem as excess facial/body hair and acne.
HopeNJesus, the other thing to consider is that thinning hair can also be as a result of Hypothyroidism, so it would be worth having a blood test to rule this out too, if you haven't already.
I too have male patterned baldness (not as bad as it used to be) and excess body hair. I think it's pretty common to have both w/ PCOS!
__________________ Me 32, DH 36, DX w/ PCOS 10-01, self dx earlier, preg w/ met only after 8 days To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 500 mg BID, cont met 'til 6 weeks, low progest early preg - vag supp 50 mg BID 'til week 11, PT labor @ 29 weeks, tx w/ terbutaline DS born on Halloween '02 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Our little pumkin - what a treat! Currently SAHM, high cholest, HS, AN, Hirsut/MPB, depression, taking Lexapro, omega 3, MVA, doing high protein/low carb diet
Hi, I was on spironolactone before I started TTC and It worked great on unwanted facial and body hair. My Dr. told me that spiro actually makes the hair on your head even thicker than normal. I loved taking spiro but you can't get pregnant on it so I am now taking Metformin which works okay but not half as good as spiro.
Hi Cici,
I've been considering spiro too. How long were you on it before you noticed improvement? Did you have any side effects? Who prescribed it for you when you weren't TTC? Your PCP, and endocrinologist or gyn? Just curious :curious: Thanks!
Good luck TTC!!!!! Met worked for me after 8 days!
__________________ Me 32, DH 36, DX w/ PCOS 10-01, self dx earlier, preg w/ met only after 8 days To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 500 mg BID, cont met 'til 6 weeks, low progest early preg - vag supp 50 mg BID 'til week 11, PT labor @ 29 weeks, tx w/ terbutaline DS born on Halloween '02 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Our little pumkin - what a treat! Currently SAHM, high cholest, HS, AN, Hirsut/MPB, depression, taking Lexapro, omega 3, MVA, doing high protein/low carb diet
Dr. Redmond believes that Aldactone, the brand name, is most effective in dosages from 100-200mg a day.
Ortho Tri Cyclen -- I thought that made PCOS hormone levels worse? and IR worse?
__________________
Maureen 36, DH is 35
Momma to Declan Christopher, born 9/2/03
STILL happily and proudly breastfeeding my big boy! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Before pregnancy, went from 175 to 136 thanks to To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , exercise and low glycemic index foods. Polycystic appearing ovaries are gone; ovulated regularly; bloodwork normal.
Improvement in hirsuitism and androgenic alopecia is greatly improved. AN and cystic acne are gone!
Improvements in skin and hair due to To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , standardized, 160mg 2x day. (no longer on it due to PG and BFing). To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
I was on it for about six months when I REALLY started noticing results, but improvement started within weeks. I had no side effects and my OB/GYN prescribed it. I highly recommend it.
__________________ "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the Lord." Psalm 113:9
Thanks for the info Maureen77 and Leisa S! Good luck w/ the pregnancies! Congrats to both of you!!!!!
__________________ Me 32, DH 36, DX w/ PCOS 10-01, self dx earlier, preg w/ met only after 8 days To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 500 mg BID, cont met 'til 6 weeks, low progest early preg - vag supp 50 mg BID 'til week 11, PT labor @ 29 weeks, tx w/ terbutaline DS born on Halloween '02 To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Our little pumkin - what a treat! Currently SAHM, high cholest, HS, AN, Hirsut/MPB, depression, taking Lexapro, omega 3, MVA, doing high protein/low carb diet
Spironolactone 
