467 citations
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October 2014 in “European Journal of Endocrinology”
The European Society of Endocrinology advises individualized long-term management for PCOS, focusing on lifestyle changes, accurate diagnosis, and treatments for associated health risks and symptoms.
Hair loss treatments, ranging from topical minoxidil and finasteride to taking hormones such as estradiol or nandrolone, as well as a controversial suggestion of an orchiectomy. A hair system is also mentioned as an alternative solution.
Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.
High sugar diets may worsen hair loss by increasing 5α-reductase activity and androgen levels, especially in women with PCOS. A low sugar diet might reduce scalp DHT levels, similar to finasteride, but genetics also significantly influence hair loss.
Ultrasound imaging can predict hair shedding and assess hair growth stages by analyzing hair follicle characteristics. The conversation also discusses using ultrasound for personal hair analysis and mentions the potential use of infrared emission for hair treatment.
A user shared their 6.5-month experience with topical finasteride (2%) and minoxidil (5%), noting initial progress followed by a significant shedding phase. Others in the conversation reassured that shedding is normal and suggested staying consistent with the treatment for potential regrowth.