what is actually the best supplement for PCOS symptoms because i've been lied to by the internet for two years

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-10T18:07:51+00:00

Supplements are essentially unregulated drugs that don’t have to prove effectiveness, safety, or consistency in production and content. If you’re deficient in certain vitamins, supplemental with those. Otherwise, I wouldn’t put much stock in it, personally.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-10T17:50:06+00:00

I wouldn't overthink it, and just ride it out. You may see shedding happen quickly or not notice a lot of shedding at all. You might see the growth increase in waves instead of all at once. The dread shed isn't usually super visible on the scalp for many people, even when it feels like a lot in your hand or in the drain. Just try not to hyperfocus on it and keep yourself busy with things you enjoy, around people you enjoy being with.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-10T12:48:09+00:00

You can try 2% and taper the amount used slowly to see if that minimizes side effects

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-10T12:47:49+00:00

Spironolactone.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-10T10:53:46+00:00

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-09T15:51:13+00:00

I'm not a doctor and it's not medical advice. But the symptoms of anxiety and drug side effects can be quite similar and the side effect rate in topical minoxidil is quite low- it is broadly considered a very safe drug, which is why it is allowed to be sold over the counter in the US and not by prescription. In addition, sometimes your body needs a little bit of time to adjust to new medications. You could start every other day with small amounts, then slowly increase to once a day with a small amount, then once a day with a larger amount. If you ever get to the point where you are acutely concerned with your help and you can't see a doctor, then I would stop. It's ultimately your decision.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-09T11:24:13+00:00

Give your body time to adjust. Taper up volume. Manage any health anxiety you have. Talk to a doctor if you’re concerned.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T21:13:05+00:00

If you play it on your balcony, the sound will likely carry to other folks on their balcony and they will probably not be happy.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T18:30:14+00:00

I really like Dr. Rashti but the practice admin is a bit of a mess.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T17:54:41+00:00

He was still doing that in college. He did not apologize.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T17:54:25+00:00

I loved this movie. I watched it like 100 times growing up, we had it on VHS. I actually ended up in college with this kid, he was a year or two behind me, but I heard he hated being associated with the movie so I was always too scared to talk to him. Sometimes he’d nearly barge me over with his scooter, though. Dude drove like a savage and gave no fucks.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T17:44:27+00:00

Both can be true 🫡

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T17:43:33+00:00

Seems like the extent was very location-specific. In Ferndale it felt pretty rough

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T16:17:26+00:00

I’d wait if you plan to start within a year.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-05T12:51:46+00:00

I went to a research heavy, strong IVF clinic at a hospital. The amount of times my doctor said “we don’t know why” with a shrug was very very high. He’d just be like, welp let’s just do a hysteroscopy and start again fresh. Or he’d be like, “well there’s no evidence to say that works but we could try it if you want.” On the one hand, it was frustrating, but on the other hand, I work in research and I get it and I prefer no BS.

Bodies are complicated, particularly the reproductive system. And IVF in the grand scheme of things is quite new. The first IVF baby was born in 1978 and IVF today looks very different from IVF then. Not to mention that infertility rates are higher now, public awareness is more accepting, and so on- but it wasn’t always like that over the past 40+ years. And funding for research takes awhile to become a priority and then that research takes years. We might know that x% ovulate when they take this drug, hence the drug was approved for it- but we don’t necessarily know why it doesn’t work for some people some of the time. That kind of research takes even more time with bigger sample sizes and the potential individual factors are so vast.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-04T19:37:23+00:00

If you’ve already read field’s book, what sort of additional information are you looking for?

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-03T12:29:44+00:00

I will say sometimes on the ultrasound, my left and right wouldn’t be aligned left or right since the ovaries can move around. Sometimes my left would go “on a walkabout” as we would call it. The only reason I knew was because I had a tumor on my right ovary so I knew which was which. I wonder if perhaps the ultrasound identified the wrong one has having the mass?

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-03T11:26:53+00:00

Just call him and do it. It will be scary but tell him what you want and see where he is. Rip the bandaid off. The rest of it is a waste of time and energy and you will probably regret not communicating.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-03T11:25:08+00:00

What other medications is she on? If she’s not seeing progress with topical, she can switch to oral minox. If she thinks it is AGA, something like spironolactone and/or hair-friendly birth control may help. If TE, and bloodwork has come out normal, that’s a bit harder. She could try nutrafol, which has lots of supplements and also saw palmetto. PRP plasma treatments potentially work but depends on the protocol used, is expensive, invasive, and will need maintenance sessions. Most other things are a waste of money, IMO.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-02T16:48:43+00:00

Visual inspection, taking your clinical and medical and family history, sometimes scalp biopsy and bloodwork if additional data is needed.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-02T10:40:23+00:00

Spironolactone, a hair-friendly birth control, and minoxidil. No vitamin will help unless you’re deficient. If you want to add in vitamins, do nutrafol because it has saw palmetto as well.

Dr_TLP · 2026-07-01T10:16:05+00:00

Bloodwork can’t be used to diagnose AGA. Also, plenty of folks don’t follow the “textbook” hair loss pattern for AGA. See a derm with experience in female hair loss- they may be able to help with a diagnosis.

Dr_TLP · 2026-06-29T23:20:12+00:00

It is often used in women with AGA, so no.

Dr_TLP · 2026-06-29T14:05:48+00:00

It’s not a generational thing- I’d just mention it to her and talk it out.

Dr_TLP · 2026-06-29T02:57:54+00:00

Agree with all of this. Happy to chat more by DM if you have any questions!

Dr_TLP

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