A Practical Approach to the Management of Hair Loss in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

January 2023 in “ Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology ”

Elizabeth J. Klein, Christina Oh, Maria Karim, Jerry Shapiro, Kristen Lo Sicco

Female patterned hair loss androgenetic alopecia polycystic ovarian syndrome PCOS hair loss pathomechanisms FPHL

TLDR The article concludes that more research is needed on how to diagnose and treat hair loss in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The review article "A practical approach to the management of hair loss in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome" discusses the issue of Female patterned hair loss (FPHL), a common form of androgenetic alopecia in women, which is often seen in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The authors note that while the management of FPHL is well-documented, the treatment of FPHL in patients with PCOS has not been extensively reviewed. The complexity of FPHL in PCOS patients is due to the different pathomechanisms of the diseases. The article emphasizes the need for more research on the diagnosis and management approaches for hair loss in PCOS patients specifically.

View this study on onlinelibrary.wiley.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

30 / 30 results

research Relative Efficacy of Minoxidil and the 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors in Androgenetic Alopecia Treatment of Male Patients

13 citations , February 2022 in “JAMA Dermatology”

Dutasteride is the most effective hair loss treatment after 24 weeks, but finasteride leads to the most hair growth after 48 weeks.

Metformin Promotes the Hair-Inductive Activity of Three-Dimensional Aggregates of Epidermal and Dermal Cells Self-Assembled In Vitro

research Metformin Promotes the Hair-Inductive Activity of Three-Dimensional Aggregates of Epidermal and Dermal Cells Self-Assembled In Vitro

5 citations , December 2021 in “Skin Pharmacology and Physiology”

Metformin helps lab-grown skin and hair cells work better to create hair.

research Bicalutamide Improves Minoxidil-Induced Hypertrichosis in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Review of 35 Patients

4 citations , November 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Bicalutamide may reduce unwanted hair growth caused by minoxidil in women with hair loss.

research Efficacy and Safety Profile of Oral Spironolactone Use for Androgenic Alopecia: A Systematic Review

8 citations , August 2021 in “PubMed”

Oral spironolactone effectively treats hair loss with mild, manageable side effects.

research Impact of Laboratory Workup and Supplementation on Alopecia Patients: A Single-Center Retrospective Chart Review

2 citations , July 2021

Vitamin supplements may not improve hair thickness or density in patients with non-scarring hair loss.

research Minoxidil: A Comprehensive Review

16 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

Minoxidil effectively treats hair loss, especially androgenetic alopecia, but needs more research for better understanding.

research Safety of Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil for Hair Loss: A Multicenter Study of 1404 Patients

39 citations , February 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil safely treats hair loss, with hypertrichosis as main side effect.

research Is There Any Association Between Clinical and Biochemical Hyperandrogenism in Women With Female Pattern Hair Loss?

1 citations , November 2020 in “Cureus”

Clinical signs of hyperandrogenism are related to female pattern hair loss severity, but biochemical markers are not.

research Characterization and Management of Hypertrichosis Induced by Low-Dose Oral Minoxidil in the Treatment of Hair Loss

7 citations , September 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Low-dose oral minoxidil for hair loss can cause mild excessive hair growth, usually appearing within the first 3 months, but it can be managed by adjusting the dose or removing the unwanted hair, with most people not needing to stop the treatment.

research Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Comprehensive Review

15 citations , July 2020 in “Dermatologic Therapy”

FPHL is common in women, influenced by genetics and hormones, and can be treated with medications, laser therapy, or hair transplantation.

research Bicalutamide: A Potential New Oral Antiandrogenic Drug for Female Pattern Hair Loss

8 citations , April 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Bicalutamide may be a promising alternative treatment for female pattern hair loss.

research Safety of Oral Bicalutamide in Female Pattern Hair Loss: A Retrospective Review of 316 Patients

16 citations , March 2020 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral bicalutamide is safe and effective for female hair loss.

research Minoxidil 1 mg Oral Versus Minoxidil 5% Topical Solution for the Treatment of Female-Pattern Hair Loss: A Randomized Clinical Trial

53 citations , August 2019 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Oral minoxidil and topical minoxidil 5% both effectively improve female-pattern hair loss with safe side effects.

research Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Primary Care

16 citations , November 2018 in “Singapore Medical Journal”

Primary care for PCOS focuses on lifestyle changes, medication based on symptoms, and mental health, with diabetes screening and specialist referral for severe cases.

research Androgens in Women: Role in Androgen-Mediated Cutaneous Disorders

56 citations , October 2018 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Androgens play a complex role in skin conditions like acne and hair loss in women, and normal blood levels don't always show true androgen status.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Comprehensive Overview

257 citations , July 2018 in “Obstetrics & Gynecology”

PCOS is a complex disorder in women that can lead to various health risks and requires personalized treatment.

research Alopecia Due to High Androgen Index Contraceptives

3 citations , July 2018 in “JAAPA”

Some birth control pills can cause hair loss, and switching to ones with less androgen should help.

research Incidence of Androgenic Dermatologic Side Effects Following Placement of a Levonorgestrel Intrauterine Device for Menorrhagia: A Survey-Based Study

11 citations , December 2017 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

The levonorgestrel intrauterine device for heavy periods may cause acne, hair loss, and excess hair growth.

research Evidence-Based Guideline for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia in Women and Men – Short Version

145 citations , November 2017 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Use minoxidil for hair loss treatment; assess results after 6 months.

research Minoxidil Dose Response Study in Female Pattern Hair Loss Patients Determined to Be Non-Responders to 5% Topical Minoxidil

1 citations , April 2017 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Higher minoxidil dose helps hair growth in non-responders without side effects.

research Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Review for Dermatologists

30 citations , October 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

A team approach is crucial for managing PCOS, with dermatologists playing a key role.

research Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

951 citations , December 2013 in “Clinical epidemiology”

PCOS is a common hormonal disorder in women that can be managed with lifestyle changes and various medications.

research Metformin in Dermatology: An Overview

51 citations , February 2013 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Metformin is effective for various skin disorders but may cause skin side effects.

research Hair and Scalp Dermatoscopy

245 citations , March 2012 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Dermatoscopy is useful for identifying different hair and scalp conditions and can reduce the need for biopsies.

research Pinpoint White Dots in the Scalp: Dermoscopic and Histopathologic Correlation

60 citations , September 2010 in “Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology”

Small white dots on the scalp seen with a dermoscope correspond to sweat ducts and vary with different hair disorders.

research Finasteride Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

29 citations , May 2010 in “Annals of Pharmacotherapy”

Finasteride may help some women with hair loss, but better options exist.

research Hair Loss in Women

129 citations , October 2007 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Over one-third of women experience hair loss, with female-pattern hair loss being most common, and treatments include minoxidil and possibly hair transplantation.

research Finasteride Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

108 citations , March 2006 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Finasteride with oral contraceptive helps improve hair loss in premenopausal women.

research A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of 5% and 2% Topical Minoxidil Solutions in the Treatment of Female Pattern Hair Loss

219 citations , March 2004 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

5% and 2% minoxidil solutions effectively promote hair growth and reduce hair loss, with 5% being slightly more effective but having more side effects.

research Comparison of High-Dose Finasteride (5 mg/day) Versus Low-Dose Finasteride (2.5 mg/day) in the Treatment of Hirsutism

51 citations , October 2002 in “European journal of endocrinology”

Low-dose finasteride effectively treats hirsutism, is safe, and cost-effective.