Is PCOS Affecting You?
If you’ve noticed your hair thinning, especially around your crown or parting, and you’re also living with PCOS, you’re not imagining it. Hormonal changes caused by PCOS can lead to gradual, often upsetting hair shedding. But here’s the good news: this type of hair loss is treatable.
How Does PCOS Cause Hair Thinning?
The main driver is a group of hormones called androgens, particularly testosterone and its more potent form, DHT. In women with PCOS, these hormones are often raised, and they can cause the hair follicles on your scalp to shrink, leading to thinner, weaker hairs and slower regrowth.
Other contributing factors include:
- Insulin resistance
- Chronic inflammation
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Hormonal changes (e.g. coming off the pill)
What PCOS Hair Loss Looks Like
Most women experience:
- Thinning on the top of the scalp or along the parting
- A reduction in volume or ponytail thickness
- Increased shedding, especially when brushing or washing
- No bald patches, but a wider parting or visible scalp
“Hair loss caused by PCOS can feel deeply personal and often isolating, but it’s also one of the most treatable types of hair loss we see. With the right diagnosis and a tailored plan, it’s absolutely possible to slow shedding and encourage regrowth.”
Associated PCOS Conditions:
- Diffuse Thinning: PCOS can trigger gradual, all-over hair thinning — often mistaken for stress-related shedding or telogen effluvium.
- Alopecia Areata: Hormonal imbalance and immune disruption in PCOS may increase your risk of autoimmune hair loss, including patchy shedding.
There Is Support, And There Are Solutions
At The Hair Loss Centre, we regularly support women with PCOS who feel overwhelmed by hair changes. Our trichologists understand how hormones, lifestyle, and scalp health work together, and how to treat PCOS-related hair loss in a way that’s supportive, realistic, and proven.
Whether you’re just starting to notice changes or have been struggling in silence for years, it’s never too early or too late to get help.
How We Diagnose and Treat Hair Loss for All Hair Types
Our approach starts with understanding your hair type, heritage, and care routine. We examine the scalp, review your history, and may recommend clinical testing. Treatments are always tailored to the individual and may include:
- Topical or oral medication
- Specialised scalp treatments
- Lifestyle and hair care guidance
- Ongoing monitoring and adjustments
We work with all hair types, from tightly coiled to poker straight, and create plans that are as individual as your hair.
