Acute Alopecia Due to Metformin Treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

January 2006 in “ Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology ”

P. K. Jothilakshmi, Alan J. Watson, Edward Jude

acute alopecia metformin polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS anovulatory infertility Vitamin B12 alopecia hair loss

TLDR Metformin can cause hair loss in some women with PCOS.

A 36-year-old woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) experienced acute hair loss after starting metformin treatment for anovulatory infertility. The hair loss began after increasing the metformin dose to 1 g twice daily and reversed within 6 months of stopping the medication. The authors hypothesized that the hair loss was due to metformin-induced reduction in Vitamin B12 levels, which is known to cause alopecia. This case highlighted acute alopecia as a rare but distressing side effect of metformin in PCOS treatment.

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Research cited in this study

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research Reduced Serum Vitamin B12 Levels During Oral Cyproterone Acetate and Ethinyl Estradiol Therapy in Women With Diffuse Androgen-Dependent Alopecia

20 citations, July 1990 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology”

Taking cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol for hair loss can lower vitamin B12 levels in women.

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Metformin: An Old Medication of New Fashion: Evolving New Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

research Metformin: An Old Medication of New Fashion: Evolving New Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

200 citations, October 2009 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Metformin helps manage polycystic ovary syndrome by improving insulin resistance and ovulation, but more research is needed on its full effects.