Females with androgenic alopecia?

[CostaRita]

Hi all. I have been on spironolactone, Rogaine, and a contraceptive to combat symptoms of PCOS and androgenic alopecia, but I'm not sure if my hair is as thick as it could be. I still have thin spots. How have you combated androgenic alopecia? Have you ever tried Viviscal? (I would but I refuse to pay that much). Any vitamins? Finasteride/Propecia? I'm not sure if this drug can be prescribed to women, however.

[Winterwitch]

Hi there, I do not suffer from PCOS but I know one of the best things to do for any kind of hair thinning including androgenic alopecia is castor oil. It really helps hair growth and thickening. I think that any suppliment (biotin, horsetail, silica, etc.,) that promotes hair growth and thickening should apply to androgenic alopecia. I also did some googling and found that saw palmetto, a plant, has been shown in a study to help prevent conversion of testosterone to dht (the main cause of androgenic alopecia.)

[Jeni]

Me me! I have PCOS and a few years ago I noticed my hair thinning on the top of my head (along the part). It's not horrible but I certainly notice that I can see more of my scalp there then elsewhere on my head! I've been using Rogaine (well the off brand) for the past year or so. I think it has helped, at least slightly. I still very self conscious about my thinning hair and will only wear my hair down with a side part (I prefer a center part) and I feel like I look in the mirror 100 times a day to make sure you can't see too much scalp. I've started taking a hair, shin and nail vitamin as well. I haven't tried castor oil, I feel like my already oily scalp would be a mess with that on it plus I use shampoo bars and I'm not sure how well they would remove oil. I suppose I could try it...

[dulce]

I have PCOS ,was diagnosed by an endocrinologist in hospital as a teen where I had an ovarian laparotomy ,and multiple blood tests.I had horrible lifelong menstrual periods and very difficult pregnancies[diabetes and pre-eclampsia from the 2nd month on for each pregnancy]I am now 63.I always had thick hair luckily but a bit thin at temples.After menopause there is thinning at sides and top near my part but the back is still thick.I notice if I follow a lo carb diet,avoid all heat and chemicals[dye especially] my thinner areas look better-A low carb diet is helpful in reducing your insuline[which tends to be raised in POCOS]The insuline raises your testosterone.Also daily exercise helps lower insuline.My last blood test after menopause still showed elevated testosterone but not nearly as high as when I was younger. I tried rogaine but it increased hair growth on my face so I stopped.I occasionally fill in my thin areas with a makeup
brush and matching eyebrow colour.It works beautifully.

[dulce]

I do take a hair /nail supplement from walmart and ''thyrosense ''tabs from the health food store as my thyroid is borderline[common in PCOS]but I refuse to pay exorborant prices.If you are overweight losing weight helps change the hormone porofile and make the symptoms less for some people.Lifestyle is your best bet..

[dulce]

Diabetes is linked to hair loss and you are at higher risk to get gestational diabetes and later diabetes 2 as you age, if you have PCOS, so trying to control your insuline not only benefits your hair but will be beneficial for your long term health.

[dulce]

Forgot to mention I now have a receding hairline[yuk!] but I have bangs which helps that..That is new.Gotta love PCOS!