Pcos and my hairs falling out :(

[jadeb]

I've been off the pill since April 2011. I was diagnosed with pcos in October 2013- and I would say the last few months my hair has been noticeably falling out to the point where I have to empty my hairbrush after every use and clean the plug hole about 3 times in 1 wash. I'm lucky I have a lot of hair anyway but it's definitely become thinner and in really worried
I don't have the typical pcos symptoms- I'm a size 8/10, no excess hair etc just very long cycles and oily skin.

Is there anything I can do to help prevent hair loss? All I seem to read online is to lose weight etc to help balance hormones- I weigh 8 and half stone so don't want to be doing that! Literally can't cope if I start losing my hair :'(

Xx

 

[phonixgirl]

Hi Jade.

Are you on metformin?

I am 8 stone too, no excess body hair and found it hard to get a diagnosis never mind treatment. But I read something that said everyone with PCOS will have insulin resistance to a degree so we should look to sort that out really. (I was using cinnamon and chromium which seemed to work well and inositol before they would give me metformin - might be worth looking into.)

My hair falls out too btw although not to the extent yours does. It is such a horrible condition. And apparently a low GI, gluten-free, dairy-free diet is ideal. I do the low GI but can't do the rest yet - especially as I need to take my metformin with a large meal! Xxx

 

[jadeb]

I was on metformin during my first IVF treatment to help prevent ohss and miscarriage- I ended up miscarrying so it didn't help in that situation. I'm now starting a FET cycle and they've gave me the choice in whether I want to take metformin again- I've said no because it didn't help last cycle.
Maybe it's something I need to look into about being on permanently? I think I need to get a few meal books using the right foods etc- I have a love for all the wrong foods- pasta, chocolate etc.

xxx

 

[phonixgirl]

Aww, I'm so sorry for your loss.

I love bad foods too, which I need to sort out really as apparently diet can help loads.

I used to have pre-menstrual spotting for up to two weeks. It got much better when I was on chromium and ate better but I went on holiday last month(!) and I have started spotting again - AF isn't due until Sunday! Two steps forward, one step back...

I read just today that sometimes metformin can take months to work, so it may be worth looking into as something to be on long-term. I even read people without PCOS or diabetes take it just to extend their lifespan!!!

I am having IVF at the end of the month. I hope the metformin has had a chance to work a little as I only started it a few days ago xxx

 

[snowbee]

My hair has been falling out for years. The loss has slowed since I've been taking inositol and milk thistle and I don't lose anywhere near as much now. It was coming out in handfuls, now it is only a few strands a day. I've never been allowed to try metformin but since my last mc my gp has said she will let me try it in a couple of months time, so it will be interesting to see if it makes any difference.

 

[phonixgirl]

Oh it is so frustrating! I have found so many stories where they give it PCOS ladies who are thin/non-insulin resistance 'just in case' and it works! They should just let us try it!!! Xxx

 

[jadeb]

Good luck with your IVF cycle phonixgirl. I really hope the metoformin works for you- I was only put on it at the beginning of my IVF cycle not before so maybe it didn't have time to work in my system.

In surprised all the vitamins etc im taking (pregnacare) doesn't help with the hair loss.
Our bodies are funny things! X

 

[phonixgirl]

I thought it might too but maybe it isn't enough.

I have just shared this page on a new thread which you may find useful sweetie xxx http://pcosfaq.com/