Struggling With Hair loss? What If It Is a Signal For A Bigger Problem?

My cousin has tried everything for her hair, including oils, masks, and expensive shampoos, but somehow, she’s losing more strands every day. And not just the normal shedding; I’m talking hair everywhere. On the pillow, in the shower drain, clumped in her brush. It was so bad that even I started feeling stressed just hearing about it.

But, as usual, she brushed it off with a laugh. "Maybe it’s just the weather. Don’t worry, they’ll grow back."

Girl, what? I get normal hair fall, sure, but this? Bald patches? A thin ponytail? Something was definitely wrong. And then I noticed other things. She had gained a lot of weight in the past few months. There were dark patches on her neck that even she couldn’t explain. At first, I thought, ‘Maybe she’s been scrubbing too hard?’ But then, she casually dropped the real bomb:

"I’ve been missing my periods... should I be worried?" BOOM. How could she be this chill about her body literally screaming for help? A doctor’s visit confirmed that she had PCOS. 

We talk about heartbreak, work stress, and even our favorite skincare routines, but conversations around PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are still a no-no. Yet, PCOS affects 6-26% of women of reproductive age worldwide. It is not just about irregular periods, it is a hormonal imbalance that influences metabolism, fertility, skin, hair, and even emotions. And the worst part? Many women go undiagnosed for years.

While modern medicine offers hormonal pills and insulin-sensitizing drugs, Ayurveda sees PCOS differently. Rather than just fixing symptoms, it focuses on the root cause. But before diving into Ayurveda’s take, let’s first understand what PCOS really is.

What actually is PCOS?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people gain weight, others deal with acne, mood swings, or irregular periods. But, at its core, it’s a hormonal imbalance that affects the bodily functions in more than one way.

Ayurveda describes PCOS as Artava Dushti. It is a condition where the reproductive system does not function properly due to doshic disturbances. The natural harmony of Vata (movement), Pitta (transformation), and Kapha (structure) is lost. It leads to blocked Srotas (body channels), Ama (toxins), and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). 

This is why PCOS manifests in multiple ways. One woman may have excessive body hair (a sign of excess Pitta), while another struggles with bloating and sluggish metabolism (Kapha dominance), and as we can assume, both were thrown off balance in my cousin’s case.

How is PCOS Diagnosed?

Doctors often use the Rotterdam Criteria, which state that a woman is diagnosed with PCOS if she has at least two of the following three conditions:

• Irregular or absent periods (indicative of ovulatory dysfunction)

• Signs of excess androgens (such as facial hair growth, acne, and hair thinning)

• Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound (ovaries appearing larger or containing multiple small follicles)

In Ayurveda, diagnosing PCOS isn’t just about running lab tests. You have to take a multidirectional approach. Your body isn’t just a collection of symptoms; it’s an entire system where everything is connected. Ayurveda considers your daily habits, digestion, stress levels, and even sleep patterns to understand what’s really going on.

That’s why it doesn’t see PCOS as a single problem. Instead, it sees it as a mix of hormonal imbalances, poor metabolism, stress, and even genetics. You know, while I was writing the article, the picture of a tangled set of earphones came to my mind. Just like those earphones, you can’t fix it by pulling at random knots; you need patience and the right approach.

In India, the prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) ranges from 3.7% to 22.5%, with higher rates observed in urban areas compared to rural areas. Moreover, the condition is a leading cause of infertility. It’s clear this isn’t just a rare issue, it’s a growing concern. Ayurveda believes the key is to bring balance back to the body by focusing on the root cause, not just the symptoms.

But, Why Does it Happen?

Modern science links PCOS to insulin resistance, hormonal imbalances, and inflammation, but Ayurveda takes a more different approach. It explains it through the dysfunction of bodily energies. Let’s break it down:

1. Vata-Kapha Imbalance

Every sunday morning we all rush to the markets. Most of the times, the roads are packed, signals aren’t working, and every turn is blocked. You’re stuck, frustrated, and no matter how much you honk, nothing moves.

That’s what happens inside your body when Vata (air) and Kapha (earth) go out of balance. Ayurveda classifies PCOS as Granthibhuta Artava Dushti, meaning cysts form due to blockages in reproductive channels. Let’s simplify Vata and Kapha through this table:

Modern science says that because of such imbalances, hormones get confused, follicles don’t mature, and your body struggles to function properly. It becomes necessary to focus on restoring balance, so your body can reset and work the way it’s supposed to.

2. Agni (Digestive Fire) & Ama (Toxins)

Ever tried making chapati dough with spoiled flour? No matter how much water or kneading you do, it just doesn’t come together right. That’s what happens inside your body when Agni (metabolism) weakens and Ama (toxins) build up.

Weak Agni leads to poor digestion. Your body struggles to break down food, leading to nutrient deficiencies and toxin buildup. Similarly, accumulation of Ama leads to blocked channel. These toxins clog Artavavaha Srotas (reproductive pathways), disrupting the menstrual cycle.

This results in hormonal imbalances, poor metabolism, and poor detoxification, making PCOS symptoms worse. Studies show that women with PCOS often have poor gut health, affecting estrogen metabolism and increasing inflammation.

3. Insulin Resistance

Did you know that 65-80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance? But what does insulin resistance actually mean? Let’s understand it step by step.

Insulin is a hormone which is released by the pancreas. It helps move glucose (sugar from food) from the blood into the cells, where it’s used for energy. Think of insulin as a key that unlocks the door to let glucose in.

But in insulin resistance, the cells stop responding to insulin, meaning they don’t take in glucose properly. This leaves too much sugar in the bloodstream, forcing the pancreas to produce even more insulin to try to fix the problem.

Now, here comes the problem. Too much insulin leads to following:

• Higher testosterone levels, causing acne, hair growth, and hair loss.

• More fat storage, making weight loss harder.

Ayurveda connects this to Medovaha Srotas Dushti, where poor metabolism and excess Kapha disrupt fat processing, leading to weight gain and hormonal imbalances.

4. Stress & Cortisol

Between meeting deadlines, scrolling endlessly at night, and constantly worrying about life, stress has become a default setting for many of us. But what does this have to do with PCOS?

Chronic stress leads to an overproduction of cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. This hormone makes your body believe that it is in danger and it needs to prepare to survive. So, your body starts saving energy by reducing energy supply needed for various bodily functions. 

For example, digestion slows down, leading to bloating, acidity, and toxin buildup. Reproductive functions are hindered, causing irregular ovulation and missed periods. Even hair growth and skin repair suffer, resulting in hair loss, dull skin, and breakouts. Meanwhile, cortisol signals the body to store more fat, especially around the belly, making weight loss difficult.

In Ayurveda, prolonged stress aggravates Prana Vata, disrupting the communication between the brain and the ovaries. This leads to irregular menstrual cycles and hormonal imbalances. ‘Ab Samjhe!’ 

5. Genetic & Epigenetic Factors: The PCOS Inheritance Mystery

If your mother or sister has PCOS, your chances of developing it increase by 50%. Ayurveda refers to this as Beeja Dosha, meaning a genetic condition that runs in families but is triggered by external factors like poor diet, stress, and lack of physical activity.

While you may inherit a tendency for hormonal imbalances, but the way you eat, move, and manage stress can either activate or suppress these tendencies. This is why two people with the same genetic background can have completely different experiences with PCOS.

How Will You Know If It is PCOS?

PCOS doesn’t show up the same way for everyone. Some women struggle with weight gain, while others deal with acne, excessive hair growth, or missed periods. But here’s the thing, not every irregular period or breakout means you have PCOS. Hormonal changes, lifestyle factors, and even stress can cause similar symptoms.

PCOS is more than just one symptom. It is a combination of imbalances that affect the entire body. While it’s tempting to connect the dots on your own, self-diagnosing can be misleading. Some women with PCOS may only experience mild symptoms, while others face more severe challenges.

Since every person’s constitution is unique, it’s important to consult an Ayurvedic practitioner. They’ll help assess your Prakriti (body type), dosha imbalances, and lifestyle to create a plan that truly works for you.

Some common symptoms include:

• Irregular periods or no periods at all: Have you ever found yourself wondering, Wasn’t my period supposed to start last week? PCOS can cause long, unpredictable cycles or stop menstruation altogether.

• Excess facial and body hair (hirsutism): Noticed more hair on your chin, upper lip, or even your stomach? PCOS causes higher levels of male hormones, leading to unwanted hair growth.

• Acne and oily skin: I am not talking about your teenage breakouts. If, despite all the skincare products you’ve tried, you still have acne or oily skin, it could be due to PCOS messing with your hormones.

• Thinning scalp hair or hair loss: Struggling with a widening part or excessive hair fall? High testosterone levels in PCOS can lead to male-pattern hair thinning.

• Weight gain, especially around the abdomen: Even after cutting carbs and exercising, are you still gaining weight? PCOS makes it harder for the body to process insulin, leading to stubborn fat storage, especially around the belly.

• Dark skin patches (acanthosis nigricans): Have you noticed dark, velvety patches on your neck, underarms, or inner thighs? This happens due to insulin resistance, a common issue in PCOS.

Ayurveda vs. Modern Science

Modern medicine treats PCOS by managing symptoms. Birth control pills regulate periods, metformin helps with insulin resistance, and anti-androgens control hair growth. While these offer relief, they don’t address the root cause, and symptoms often return once medications stop.

Ayurveda, on the other hand, sees PCOS as a systemic imbalance rather than just a reproductive issue. It focuses on restoring harmony in the body by balancing doshas (Vata, Pitta, Kapha), strengthening Agni (digestive fire), and clearing Ama (toxins). Lifestyle plays a crucial role too. Regular meal timings, stress management, and mindful movement are as important as herbal remedies.

While modern medicine provides quick symptom relief, Ayurveda takes a long-term approach, working with the body rather than forcing changes. Remember, best way to heal oneself is to heal from within,

Conclusion

If you’ve seen yourself in these descriptions, know this, you are not alone, and PCOS is not your fault. Ayurveda teaches us that rather than fighting our bodies, we must understand and work with them. The key is to balance our doshas, improve Agni, and clear Ama to restore natural hormonal rhythms.

Understanding PCOS through an Ayurvedic lens allows us to see it not as a disease to “fix” but as a call to restore balance. With the right ayurvedic practictioner, you can reconnect with your body and help it heal, not through force but through harmony.

References

• Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia Vol I part I, Department of Ayurveda, 1985, pg. 173. 3. Ibid (2), part III, pgs. 25, 82, 110, 177, 235, 269, 305, 313, 321, 344, 358.

• Dutta D.C.,Text book of Gynaecology, New central book Agency LTD, Culcutta, 4th edition, pgs. 421, 431, 523, 549, 558. 2. 

• Sharma S, Singh AK. Role of Ayurveda on PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome): A Critical Funding: None Conflict of Interest: None Stated Sharma and Singh Review. Indian J Integr Med. 2021; 1(1) 14-18 .

• Smita Mallikarjun Patil, Veena Ajay Patil. A review of management of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome through Ayurveda. J Ayurveda Integr Med Sci 2021;5:161-165.

• Temani Rashmi, Sharma Surendra Kumar, Choudhary Poonam. An Ayurvedic Approach of PCOS. International Journal of Ayurveda and Pharma Research. 2024;12(9):119-123.

https://doi.org/10.47070/ijapr.v12i9.3346