Hello all, First and foremost, I am so pleased that this site exists. Part of me wishes it didn't, because then we wouldn't be suffering like we are and everything would be just peachy. Then again, that's probably in a universe where everyone holds hands and drinks Coke. In the real world, however, women are suffering with hair loss, and if I'm going to accentuate the positive then at least there's experience and support. A bit of context - I'm 26, and have recently been diagnosed with PCOS following a pelvic ultrasound. My hair has always been my crowning glory - halfway down my back, blonde (with a little help!), fine but plenty of it. It was my security blanket - even if I was having a fat day, or a PMT breakout on my face, my hair would save my bacon. My hair made me attractive. Digging a little deeper, about 8 months ago I noticed that I just seemed to have...well, less hair. I first noticed when I was plaiting my damp hair at night (wanted waves in the morning, the lazy way). The plaits just seemed thinner, although I put it down to having layers put in and thought no more of it. Digging further still, last September I noticed a marked difference. I had my hair cut - just a trim - and my hair just looked...flat. Lifeless. It frizzed up when it rained (which never happened), and for all my teasing and primping it just sat there. Me and my hairdresser blamed a bit of over-processing, and I got to it with various treatments and conditioners. Sure, my hair was soft...but where was the rest of it? The ends were splitting before my eyes, little ends were snapping off, and one day when putting my hair into a ponytail, I saw the little bits of fluff at my temples. My hairline was receding, and I started to panic. Looking closely at my hair when pulled back, the sides were thinning to the point of showing bald patches. This wasn't breakage, and my heart sank. I went to the doctor after a LOT of Googling and had blood tests. To my dismay/delight, all results were normal. I was convinced I'd have elevated testosterone, at least. Since puberty, I've been on the hairy side. I'm quite fair, so it wasn't massively noticeable, but I knew it was there. Peach fuzz on my face, hair on my chest as I got older, the snail-trail on the abdomen. I stupidly started shaving my chin/jaw in 2001, and still do. But it was manageable - and my Glorious Mane of Hair (RIP) would do a lot to distract and disguise that. I'd have to shave every five days or so. But this got worse over the past six months, which coincided with me starting a fairly intensive exercise regime. I've always carried a bit more weight than I should, but years of clever dressing and being in relatively good health glazed it over. It was actually my hair breaking that pushed me into regular exercise - I thought it would help it grow quicker. As it goes, it just fuelled the inner conspiracy theorist as she screamed "YOU'RE ACQUIRING MUSCLE MASS AND PRODUCING MORE TESTOSTERONE, YOU'LL HAVE A PENIS BY 2012". As it goes, testosterone normal. Damn. I had all of the other blokeish traits - facial hair going a bit crazy, male pattern balding. The ultrasound revealed PCOS, which was kind of relieving - at least there was a diagnosis. My periods have always been regular, so my doctor queried the necessity to put me on birth control. I'm shedding at a rapid rate, and there's only so much my poor hairdresser can do to hide it (my hair is now just below my jaw, the shortest it's ever been). My doctor prescribed Dianette to me as an anti-androgen, and I have the packet here in my bag. Today would be the first day of my pill, and I'm anxious. Do I take it? I was on Loestrin 20 from 2007 to 2009, and apart from a slight decrease in libido it was okay - facial hair lessened, skin was good (although was never particularly bad to begin with). No side-effects when I came off it - still had the mane! It's so frustrating - I'm the healthiest (and lightest) I've been in a while, and should be feeling so good about my appearance. Instead, I feel dreadful. I know that every time I brush or wash my hair, that's more hair gone. I've read about other people experiencing hair loss when they start Dianette, or shedding massively when they come off it. I want to come off it eventually - I don't want a dependence on artificial hormones (I'm not planning on having children any time soon, but that's besides the point) and the risks of DVT worry me a little (despite my decreasing weight, and increasing health). But...I also feel like I have nothing to lose, and the situation's only getting worse on its own. I've been referred to Gynaecology, and my doctor says they'll likely prescribe me Metformin. But that's not for another three months, and I honestly couldn't say what state my hair will be in then. Does anyone have an advice, or experiences on Dianette? I apologise for the waffly post, but it's a subject I'm incredibly sensitive about at the moment.
Proactive is better Natalie, I'm not sure about birth control but I think it's always good to try and treat the problem... I feel that I also have PCOS or at least some form of it... I am taking aldactone to block adrogens and it has slowed my shedding some. What I'm thinking is that If had taken it even earlier I would be in better shape than now.. I say trying to do something is better than not trying. You may find that it really works for you... If I can help any other way I will be glad. I'm waiting to have vaginal ultrasound to see if anything shows up there. I have no problems with hair anywhere except that the hair on my head wants to come out and not grow back!!!!!!! Lets keep looking for answers maybe we will find them..... Lisah
Dianette tablets contain two active ingredients, cyproterone acetate and ethinylestradiol. This combination of medicines is also known as co-cyprindiol. (NB. Co-cyprindiol tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) Cyproterone acetate is a type of medicine called an anti-androgen. Androgens are male hormones and are produced by women as well as men. They are responsible for stimulating the growth of the skin, including the sebaceous glands that produce oil (sebum), and the hair that grows from the skin. However, if your body produces too much androgen, or if your skin is particularly sensitive to the effects of androgens, the sebaceous glands may produce too much sebum. This can cause the sebaceous glands to become blocked, resulting in infection, inflammation and acne spots. The androgens may also cause excessive growth of the hair on the face and body - a condition known as hirsutism. Both these problems are common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
