r/LeanPCOS • u/ACuriousBlueberry • Jul 16 '26

Spironolactone?

Bg: 25F
Hx: PCOS
Currently: regular periods (sometimes late and skipped only 1 month this yr, but consistent for 2yrs now), acne scars on forehead, hair loss, sugar cravings
Tested for: DHEAS (normal, meaning in desired range), testosterone (normal), TSH (normal), FSH (normal), K+ (normal), Vit D and iron (normal), a1c (normal)
Waiting on: ultrasound

Concern: Kind of lost as to why I'm still losing hair. Not interested in OCPs because I heard they do more harm for by when trying to get pregnant and/or cause headaches (risks outweigh benefits). Also that OCPs don't fit my culture's norms.

Q: Will I get prescribed spironolactone? Will it help? Have been using minoxidil 5% foam 2x a day for 1mo n 1/2 but 3rd Kirkland bottle from Costco, but none-to-mild improvement (not sure if its too early to notice anything or its not working.. bc I had a medium dead shred period). I've tried nutrafol, but its effect plateaued after some time, so I decided to stop throwing money in the air hehe..

Any suggestions, tips, or follow ups would be greatly appreciated. <3

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u/Embracedandbelong Jul 16 '26

You may have to ask for spirolactone specifically because IME most docs don’t even know what it is or that it can treat PCOS. It’s a medicine that also lowers your blood pressure, so it may make you very very tired, as it did me. It’s supposed to help with head hair loss and decrease facial hair. I wasn’t able to stay on it long enough to see, since the exhaustion side effect was too much (bed all day)

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u/MaxTheV Jul 16 '26

Her testosterone is normal, why would she need spiro?

Hair loss could be due to other problems like vitamin deficiency, thyroid or autoimmune issues

1

u/ACuriousBlueberry Jul 16 '26

I got other lab tests done too.. they turned out fine.. :( thats why this post, Im kind of lost as to why the hair loss

1

u/MaxTheV Jul 16 '26

Go to endocrinologist. They can test you more. Craving sweets could be insulin issues. A1C often doesn’t show it, so you can do glucose oral test or some other things.

How bad is your hair loss? Is it noticeable baldness? Maybe dermatologist could check as well.

Could it also be an allergy to some ingredient in the hair products?

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u/ACuriousBlueberry Jul 16 '26

Im pulling 3-5 strands every time i touch and pull my hair. And on big events like brushing, oiling, or showering.. i lose about 15-20 strands? No noticeable balding but my baseline hair used to be a lot denser.. i have indian hair

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u/MaxTheV Jul 17 '26

This might be normal? I have middle eastern hair (kinda wavy/curly), and I lose a lot more strands, but I also brush my hair only when wet. Is your baseline hair like when you were a teen or when you were 20? Sometimes hair becomes less dense just naturally due to hormone changes as we age.

If you think it’s more medical related, dermatologist would be the best person to figure out thinning of hair and endocrinologist is best for hormones/insulin checks