Last Updated: October 2, 2026
What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect ovulation, androgen levels, and the body’s response to insulin. It may present with irregular periods, acne, increased hair growth in certain areas, or thinning of the scalp hair.
Insulin resistance is common in women with PCOS, but it is not the only factor involved. For this reason, care should consider the overall health picture.
Why Is Treating Symptoms Alone Not Always Enough?
Some treatment plans may focus on a specific symptom, such as irregular periods, acne, or unwanted hair growth. However, managing PCOS also requires consideration of the metabolic and hormonal factors associated with the condition.
At Everlast Wellness, our approach aims to create a personalized plan that combines medical assessment, targeted nutrition, management of metabolic factors, and appropriate symptom-focused treatments, rather than addressing each symptom in isolation.
Insulin Resistance: What Happens in the Body?
Insulin helps the body’s cells use glucose for energy. When cells become less responsive to insulin, the body may need to produce more insulin to maintain blood glucose levels within the normal range.
In some women with PCOS, higher insulin levels may be associated with increased androgen production by the ovaries. This may contribute to symptoms such as acne, irregular ovulation, or increased hair growth.
However, insulin resistance is not present to the same degree in every woman with PCOS, and it does not explain every case.
Why Can Scalp Hair Thin While Facial Hair Increases?
One of the common patterns seen with androgen-related conditions is that increased androgen activity may be associated with increased hair growth in certain areas, while also contributing to scalp hair thinning in some women.
DHT (dihydrotestosterone) is one of the androgens associated with the miniaturization of hair follicles in people with a genetic predisposition.
For this reason, managing hair concerns associated with PCOS may require more than one approach, depending on the underlying cause and pattern of hair changes.
Which Tests May Be Helpful?
The appropriate tests are determined by the physician based on symptoms and medical history. Some assessments may include:
- HOMA-IR: An index used to estimate insulin resistance, but it is not a standalone diagnostic test for PCOS.
- DHEA-S: May help assess androgens produced by the adrenal glands.
- Free Testosterone: May be used to assess free testosterone levels when clinically appropriate.
Additional tests may be needed to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. Insulin resistance is common in PCOS, but it does not affect all women to the same degree, and PCOS is not diagnosed based on insulin resistance alone.
Increased androgen activity can contribute to scalp hair thinning in some women, particularly when there is a genetic predisposition. However, hair loss can have multiple causes and requires appropriate assessment.
Laser treatment can help reduce unwanted hair, but it does not treat the underlying hormonal cause. For some women, combining an assessment of the underlying cause with appropriate medical or aesthetic treatment may be considered.
Inositol may be beneficial for some women, particularly in relation to certain metabolic or reproductive aspects of PCOS. However, individual responses vary, and its use should be determined according to the individual's medical needs.
PCOS is a chronic, multifactorial condition, and there is no single treatment that works for every woman. Management focuses on addressing symptoms and metabolic and hormonal factors while supporting long-term health.
Conclusion
PCOS is not simply a problem involving periods or fertility. It is a condition that may involve hormonal, metabolic, and other factors that vary from one woman to another.
At Everlast Wellness Medical Center, our approach begins with understanding the whole picture rather than focusing on a single symptom, followed by developing a personalized plan based on medical assessment.
Your body is one system. We treat it as one system.
If you are experiencing irregular periods, hormonal acne, changes in weight, unwanted hair growth, or scalp hair thinning, the first step can be a comprehensive medical assessment to better understand the factors associated with your symptoms.
Individual results may vary. Consultation required.
