PCOS, Anxiety and Depression

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that involves irregular periods, metabolic issues like weight gain and insulin resistance, and symptoms of excess androgen hormones like acne and hair loss (or excess growth). It’s a common condition but what is often not talked about is its connection with mental health.

Women with PCOS are more likely to have anxiety or depression. This could be because some of the symptoms (like acne, hair loss, and infertility) take a psychological toll on those who experience them by impacting self esteem, relationships, and important life goals. It’s possible that the biological factors in PCOS like insulin resistance and elevated androgens are contributing to the anxiety or depression directly but there is limited and inconsistent information on this from studies. 

Associations have also been found between PCOS and eating disorders, bipolar disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. 

Treatment 

Treating the mental health aspects of PCOS means treating the PCOS itself by balancing the hormones that are out of range and improving the symptoms. Because it can take time for symptoms to improve, treating anxiety and depression directly can also be beneficial. Some of the natural remedies that help with PCOS can help improve mental health too. Talk to your naturopathic doctor to get a treatment plan that address both your mental and physical PCOS symptoms.

Does dyeing your hair cause hair loss?

I often see patients who struggle with hair loss. One of the first factors to consider in cases of hair loss is hair care. How hair is washed, combed, styled and what products are being used in it can potentially worsen hair loss. Colouring the hair may exacerbate hair loss. A study published in 2023 discussed an association between hair dye and hair loss. One of the reasons that dyeing the hair can do this is because the chemicals in the dye can cause contact dermatitis. Contact dermatitis happens when the skin becomes inflamed after coming into contact with a certain agent. This irritation can then lead to hair loss. Hair loss may also happen in response to dye without obvious signs of irritation but there is not a lot of research to definitively prove this. 

Hair colour may dry, damage and weaken the hair leading to breakage. Even though hair can grow back after loss due to hair dye, if you’re already struggling with hair loss, that extra loss can be stressful. 

So how do we work around this? Going gray is becoming increasingly more trendy but this may not be for everyone. Choosing a more natural hair dye could minimize exposure to some of the more irritating chemicals. Given that “all natural” has become a trendy buzzword that even not-so-natural products carry, it can be hard to find a truly gentle hair dye. A good place to start would be to consult with a hair colourist who is trained in using more natural dyes. Many natural focused salons will carry these products and brands for customers to purchase directly.  

It’s also important to talk to your naturopathic doctor about underlying causes of hair loss like nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, stress and anxiety. You can find out more about these in my article here.

Treating Hair Loss

Hair loss can happen for many different reasons. In today's post I discuss some common reasons for hair loss and tips for keeping your hair strong and healthy.

Nutrient Deficiencies

If you’re losing hair you should get tested for anemia. A common cause of hair loss is anemia due to low iron levels. Other signs of iron deficiency anemia include fatigue, feeling cold all the time, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and feeling light-headed. Other minerals and vitamins that can be helpful for hair loss are zinc, selenium and biotin. It’s important to not over-dose on some of these nutrients so talk to your naturopath before supplementing.

Many people don’t have enough protein in their diet. Making sure you’re getting enough protein is important for dealing with hair loss. The average adult needs 0.8g of protein per kg of bodyweight per day. But this number can change depending on your activity levels. There are many protein calculators online that can tell you how much you need.

Hormones

Over and underactive thyroid can cause hair loss. Other hormonal imbalances like high testosterone, DHT or DHEA can also lead to hair loss from the scalp. Testing your hormones can give you valuable information on what’s causing your hair loss.

Habits

The little things you do to your hair can have a big effect on hair loss over time. Here are some habits that can prevent hair breakage and increase hair strength:

- Avoid ponytails and try switching to more slack clips instead

- Avoid over-brushing your hair, consider brushing just once a day

- Consider switching away from a brush and using a wide-toothed, wooden comb instead

- Massage your scalp with castor oil one or more times a month and let the oil soak for an hour before washing it out

- Avoid using heat on your hair and let it air-dry instead

- Don’t brush or comb your hair when it’s wet

- Change the location of your part often

- Only wash your hair as often as absolutely necessary

Stress

Of course, stress is a big trigger for hair loss and stress management is important for hair health.

I’ve used herbs, nutrition and even acupuncture to manage hair loss with positive results – especially in women. Take the time to uncover the cause of your hair loss and improve the health of your hair.