Hair loss treatments

[Cafeaulait]

Hi everyone! I’m new. I can’t believe I’ve only just found Verity and this forum! I recently got diagnosed although I suspected it for a long time as I have acne, body hair, and most recently I’ve noticed hair loss too. It’s all very depressing but I recently found hope by reading that Spironalactone can help with hair loss, has anyone had any success with this at all please?

I have been on the pill since I was 16 (dianette) which worked wonders for my skin but I’m still v hairy including on the face. I am now 30 and about 5 years ago switched to Yasmin (doctors orders). I noticed my hair loss about 2 years ago and realised it’s been happening since the age of about 20 but has only just become noticable (scalp on show so I have to use root touch up spray to cover it and not have a centre parting). I can see miniaturised hairs falling out and even took them to my doctor. They put me on iron pills but it hasn’t stopped the hair loss, because I know it’s PCOS related.

I must’ve been to the doctors about my hair about 10 times now. All they offer me is counselling and say ‘it’s not that bad yet’ or ‘you’re not overweight and don’t have chest hair so it’s not pcos’ despite me having had a scan and they found cysts as well as all the other issues. All my bloods came back normal apart from iron including my testosterone and when I suggested it was just being masked by the pill she said ‘yeah maybe’.

Anyway so I recently came off the pill as were thinking about having a baby next year. Big mistake! Within 6 months hair loss accelerated and covered in cystic acne on face and back. Obviously I got so depressed again as I do every few weeks, mostly because of the hair.

I eventually found that Spironalactone can work well for hair loss and acne instead of the pill, so I can possibly use this while trying to conceive instead of the pill. I said this to my doctor and they had never heard of it. I’ve now realised I need to ask to be referred to an endocrinologist who will actually know about pcos. So I am booking another appointment. If they just took me seriously straight away I wouldn’t have wasted their time with all these appointments! Pcos affects one in 5 women. If I manage to get referred I am definitely going to write to my MP and anyone to do with the nhs to see what they are doing about this. I honestly sometimes get so down about my hair loss that I want to die and feel like I should never have been born.

Anyway sorry to write such a long post. I just wondered if anyone wanted to chat to me about this or has been through the same thing, or has been on Spironalactone or been to an endocrinologist. Or is trying to conceive!

Thanks so much

[bakeacake33]

Hi I have similar issues and got diagnosed straight away from my endocrinologist after a year and 6 doctors of trying. He put me on spironolactone straight away. My hair loss is better but is still worse than it should be. I hope you find an understanding health care professional soon.

[Cafeaulait in reply to bakeacake33]

Hi, thanks for your reply, that’s so great that you got referred and put on spiro. How long have you been on it? I read it can take a year to start working.

What area of the country are you in?

[bakeacake33 in reply to Cafeaulait]

I'm in Nottingham and I've been on it spiro about 8 months now.

[foxes_sockses]

Hi Cafeaulait

Unfortunately I haven't had much luck with any gp taking me seriously regarding prescribing me medication to help with my pcos symptoms.

I too recently came across Spironolactone but I was told by my gp I couldn't be prescribed it as it could possibly cause renal issues, I've never had any renal issues in my life; being fobbed off again I guess,. But I understand your frustration and I'm sorry you feel so down.

From what I've read spironolactone can be prescribed along with the pill and can give good results with reducing excess hair, hair fall and improving acne.

But as for your doctor saying you're "not overweight and haven't any hair on your chest so it's not pcos" oh please give me strength!.🙄 GP's have the national institute for health and care excellence (nice) pcos guidelines to refer to, to help them help you.

[Cafeaulait in reply to foxes_sockses]

Hi! Thank you for the advice. I would say please book another appointment and ask them to refer you to an endo.

It is all very soul destroying that they just don’t care. I understand they deal with life threatening things which are more serious that pcos but if there is treatment out there we should be offered it.

Xx

[sweetcole]

Hi there. I can relate to the issues that you discuss in your post. I too have been diagnosed with POSC and I really did not understand what was going on with me. I have a history of missed periods and had to have surgery to remove a cyst off one of my ovaries. I have been praying for a child for a long time. I started losing my hair more the older I get and it has taken affect on me. I cry when I see myself in the mirror because I don't look the same. Now I found this website with other women that deals with the same issue I feel like there is hope for me. Now I am seeking professional help. Thanks for sharing your story and best wishes to you.

[Kitten95 in reply to sweetcole]

U r not the only one !!! Same here this pcos is ruining my fucking entire life ...mood swings & extra hair growth in my body and and self confidence issues too & especially hair fall idk what to do I'm just losing my entire hair 😭😭😭 it's been 4 years fighting this symptoms and nothing seems to get better..... also seeing all my besties feeling great going to parties having a thick nice hair and look feminine and confident when they r with their boyfreinds makes me feel like I'm a lonely beast .... and this app just make me feel supported lil bit😞❤..best wishes for u and for everybody