PCOS hair loss: a widening part, what to do?
Updated
In short
Hair that thins on top of the head, with a widening part, is often linked to androgens: it's common with PCOS. Shedding all over the head more often has another cause (stress, dieting, stopping the pill, low iron). Either way, the earlier it's looked at, the more options there are.
Two different kinds of hair loss
- A widening part, thinner hair on top: often hormonal, and gradual.
- Heavy shedding all over: often 2 to 3 months after a shock, and often temporary.
Useful tests
- Ferritin (your iron stores).
- Thyroid (TSH).
- A hormone check, if you have other signs (cycles, acne, excess hair).
What can help
Treatments exist: talk to a dermatologist or your doctor. Day to day: a gentle shampoo, no tight hairstyles, and a photo of your part every month, in the same light, to track changes.
Frequently asked questions
Does hair grow back?
After temporary shedding, yes, usually within a few months. For hormonal thinning, treatment can slow the loss and sometimes restore some density.
Do hair supplements work?
Only if you're low in something, like iron. Get tested before taking any.
Sources
- Teede et al., Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS, Human Reproduction, 2023
- Monash University, 2023 International PCOS Guideline
- World Health Organization, PCOS fact sheet
- Inserm, Syndrome des ovaires polykystiques (SOPK)
- NHS, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
This guide informs; it does not diagnose and does not replace medical advice. Information from the international PCOS guidelines (2023) and the WHO.