20 Ways To Treat PCOS-Related Skin & Hair Problems

Ask a woman with PCOS what she’s most frustrated with and chances are she’ll spell out a skin or hair problem that makes everyday life difficult. Apart from the health issues, dealing with stubborn acne, hyperpigmentation, extreme hair loss, dry skin and more can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. PCOS is not a fair player, the weird ebb and flow of your hormones takes a toll on your skin and hair.

DID YOU KNOW? ACCORDING TO THE PCOS SOCIETY OF INDIA, 1 IN 10 INDIAN WOMEN SUFFER FROM THE CONDITION. WHAT’S MORE SHOCKING IS THAT A LARGE PERCENTAGE OF THESE FEMALES ARE TEENAGERS. POOR LIFESTYLE HABITS ARE TO BE BLAMED FOR THIS SURGE AS 80% OF PCOS PATIENTS ARE OBESE.

PCOS In A Nutshell

PCOS: A Spectrum Of Symptoms

PCOS is a metabolic syndrome with high levels of Androgens, insulin resistance and Anovulation. This is a condition with a huge spectrum of symptoms, hence diagnosis and treatment are tailor made for each patient. The common skin and hair problems that accompany PCOS are: – Pigmentation – Facial hair growth – Acne – Hair loss – Dry, scaly patchy skin

Hirsutism: Excessive Hair Growth

The hair growth in PCOS is often seen on the lower part of the face and jawline. This growth is darker and thicker than normal. Birth control or contraceptive pills are the mainstays of treatment as they stop ovulation and reduce Androgen production by ovaries. This helps in regularizing menses and reducing excess hair growth.

High Androgen levels cause more oily secretions from skin glands in PCOS, this leads to a whole lot of skin problems like severe acne, skin tags in armpits, bra line and the neck. Treatment Options For PCOS, the dermatologist asks you for a few blood tests to check your hormonal levels. According to the reports of deranged hormones, hormonal treatment may be prescribed as per your doctor’s discretion.

PCOS Acne