Even so, the thinning can be significant enough to expose large areas of the scalp.
In people with PCOS, androgenic alopecia rarely occurs in isolation.
Causes of Androgenic Alopecia With PCOS
The cause of PCOS is unknown.
Sol de Zuasnabar Brebbia / Getty Images
When the balance is thrown off, any number ofhormonal problemscan occur.
This can trigger a condition known ashyperandrogenismin which the body produces excessive amounts of androgens.
Chief among these is the androgentestosterone.
DHT is also the cause of hair loss in females with PCOS.
In both males and females, around 10% of testosterone is converted into DHT.
Even if the hair doesn’t fall out, it can become visibly thinner.
Rogaine will not cure PCOS-related hair loss, but it may help manage it.
Keep in mind that once you stop using Rogaine, the hair loss may re-occur.
Another over-the-counter option isiron supplements.
Prescriptions
There are other medications that work directly on sex hormones.
They may be prescribed if Rogaine falls short or blood tests reveal that you have excessively high androgen levels.
With that said, there is only limited evidence supporting their use.
This includesfollicular unit extraction(FUE) in which individual hair follicles are removed and transplanted.
Another option isplatelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.
Scalp PRP injections have shown some promise in reversing alopecia in people with patchy hair loss.
Are There Tests to Diagnose Androgenic Alopecia?
PCOS is one of the main causes of androgenic alopecia in femalesbut not the only one.
How PCOS Is Diagnosed
There are no tests that can definitively diagnose PCOS.
This may take time and patience.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Androgenic alopecia is neither dangerous nor necessarily a cause for alarm.
While distressing, the condition can often be treated once the underlying cause is identified.
There are certain types of alopecia that warrant immediate attention.
These are physicians specially trained in diseases and disorders of theendocrine (hormonal) system.
Endocrinologists have expertise in many hard-to-diagnose hormonal conditions, like PCOS.
They can also recommend the latest, most effective treatments for conditions like androgenic alopecia.
Even so, results can vary.
Oral minoxidil has proven less effective, although it may reduce hair shedding.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common causes in females of reproductive age.
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