Propecia Produces PMS in Men? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I feel that ever since I started Propecia, I was into wide fluctuations of emotions, mood swings, and hot flashes as if I was in Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS). I am a physician so I know what I am talking about. I stayed on Propecia for 6 months and could not take it anymore, so I stopped about 3 months ago. These symptoms went away within a week and have not returned since. When I saw this website, I thought you might be able to give me insights into this unusual symptom not reported in the literature I reviewed. Any thoughts? The website is well done, thanks.

There are effects of Propecia on estrogen and estradiol production, so what you are describing may ring true to this hormone’s action or inaction. See: High Estrogen in Men

April 14, 2006

Laser Brush and Fertility? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am interested in investing in a laser brush for my hair, but wanted to know whether they were all more or less the same. Also, is there a possibility that this could affect fertility at all? Please advise. Regards

I doubt that the Laser Comb has any negative effects, including any effects on fertility. Low laser light is not like radiation, so its depth of penetration is very limited. Think of it like a flashlight, where it shines is where any effect may be. The major effect may simply be that it does not work. I believe that the portable devices are all similar to each other, so nothing stands out to me. They all may not work.

April 14, 2006

If Hair Loss Products Work, Why Aren’t There Celebrity Endorsements? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

If a hair loss product is really effective as it claims to be, in the case Scalp Med, why not give a well known baldy man in Hollywood like Bruce Willis a year supply and let the people notice if there is a chnage in his hair. Unless the Scalp Med do this or any other comapnies, I would remain skeptical.

This is not as easy as you make it. I am answering your question as a businessman, not as a doctor. The rich and famous value their time, privacy and endorsements, and they get big money from it, not a year’s supply of some menial substance that may or may not work. I suspect that you have good common sense and are applying it to things well beyond the movie watcher you probably are. I would do a hair transplant on some famous men for free just to get their endorsement 8 months later, as the world would see the transformation just like those hundreds of men posted on newhair.com. But the rich and famous are not interested in the money or any increased fame, what they are in most need of (if their hair loss bothers them) is the drive to research hair transplants and the courage to face their vanity.

April 14, 2006

Hair Loss from Pills for Menstrual Cycle? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

hi! i’m already 25 years old. but then, i never had a normal menstrual cycle. when i had my consultation with an ob-gyne, he/she (since i’ve seen two doctors already) told me that all the tests given to me was normal and they prescribed me with provera pills. but then, as i started to use it for a long period of time, i suddenly felt that i’m starting to lose some of my hairs.i never thought that it can be a side effect of using pills. i went to my dermatologist and told me that my hairs will still grow back. Up to now, i’m having second thoughts on taking any pills that would help me regulate my menstruation since it seems that i’m going to have problems with my hair. can other pills like diane-35 can also cause hair loss? i’m planning to make another appointment with my ob-gyne for provera intake since my last menstruation was last october and then afterwards take diane-35 for my pimples. it’s just that i’m sick and worried of losing my hair. what can i do to prevent hair loss? is it also okay to use a horse shampoo for my hair and minoxidil regroe? they say that it can also make your hair thick. it’s just that i don’t want to lose any more hairs. thank you.

It sounds like you may have a genetic or hormonal cause of your hair loss. The absence of a normal menstrual cycle, which cause you to go on regulatory hormones, can cause hair loss. All of these hormonal supplements will have this as a potential side effect. You need to work with your OB/Gyn doctor to find the right hormones that meet all of your needs with the least risk to your hair.

Many people do use horse shampoos, and minoxidil may work to address some of the hair loss issues. Good luck.

April 14, 2006

Flax Seed Oil and Hair Loss | WRassman,M.D. BaldingBlog

Flax Seed Oil and Hair Loss

Apr 14, 2006/by William Rassman, M.D./312 /Hair Loss Causes

I have been taking propecia for over 5 years and have not had a problem with thinning hair, until the past 6 months or so. I started taking Flax seed oil 1000 mg twice a day (which has a combo of omega 3, 6, and 9) one year ago recommended by my eye doctor for a dry eye condition. Now I notice my hair on the crown and front has become thinner and soft, and it seems more hair is falling out daily. Is it possible I’m losing hair due to too much flax seed oil?

I doubt that flax seed oil caused your hair loss. I have not read anywhere that an omega 3,6,9 combo is associated with hair loss, but many people feel that we are what we eat. Simple vitamins in very high doses can be harmful, when in normal doses they are beneficial. The same may apply to flax seed oil, but I really do not know and would only be speculating here.

2006-04-14 14:29:402006-04-14 09:30:52Flax Seed Oil and Hair Loss

April 14, 2006

Alopecia and Doctors In India – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

The Doctors in India dont seem to know about alopecia Universalis/ Totalis. I am losing, eyebrows, hair (not in patches). Although i have found lately that i can see gaps in my beard. I understand that this is caused by AUTO-IMMUNE diseases. Please can you list all the auto-immune diseases that i should get myself checked for. My father also has alopecia universalis but he actually dint care much, never went to a doctor coz for him it was never a big issue. Its a big issue for me though. He has thyroid. (i dont have).

So Please can you list all the auto-immune diseases that i should get myself checked for; since im not getting much help from dermatologists here.
Thank You

ps: Im not bothered by any hair loss except my eyebrows..

I understand you are at a junction where the doctors you have seen have not been helpful. I also admire your quest to find the cause of your hair loss condition. However, it is not my role to be your doctor or give medical treatment or diagnosis via the internet. At best, I can only give my opinions and thoughts. The medical treatment and plan is completely between you and your physician. That being said, it is my opinion that you may want to try visiting an immunologist for your condition, if indeed you are diagnosed with alopecia universalis. In the United States many dermatologists control the treatments, but as there is no effective treatment, only a few doctors are experimenting on medications for autoimmune hair disorders and these are done at major universities under FDA guidelines. There must be some doctors in India that have similar interests and you should try to find them. I’m sorry that I don’t have more info on where to find them though. I suspect if you are a healthy person with only alopeica universalis there really are no tests that will give you satisfaction.

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April 13, 2006

Folliculitis Decalvans Specialist in Atlanta? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi Dr.:
I found the previous blog on Folliculitis decalvans very helpful as I am a 23 year old of African descent also suffereing from the same problem. I am searching for a dermatologist with specific training in this area as you suggested but I haven’t had any luck. The listing of Doctors on the American Academy of Dermatology’s website is pretty basic. Do you have any specific pointers or referrals on this. I live in the Metro Atlanta Area. Thanks for your help.

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Try to go to a major university clinic. They are bound to have those that focus in this disease. You have a number of good university medical centers in Atlanta.

For the readers of this blog, note the following references for clarification. This is a bad problem which in essence reflects an aggressive infection of the scalp hair follicles, amongst other causes.

April 13, 2006

What Is Retin-A? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr. Rassman,
My question is not related to hair loss, but i figured you might know sth about it…What exactly is Retin A and how does it work? Does it come only as a facial cream or it can be taken orally as well? Does it cause vascularization when applied topically and why…as far as i know it stimulates collagen production, so capillaries should become less visible as skin fat increases…and one last question, my boyfriend is balding due to stress, what should we do? I would very much appreciate your answer/s. Thank you for your time

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Retin-A (tretinoin) is the acid derivative of retinol, vitamin A. For much more on this, please see SFSU: Student Health Services.

As Retin-A is applied to the skin and can produce burns to the skin. It is believed that a light burn will make the skin more able to absorb other medications (like minoxidil for hair loss), because increased vasculatiry is induced by the burn. Because it creates an injury to the skin, the entire injury process induces the body to repair it. The skin irritation could be a problem and is a problem for many users. The formation of new collagen is part of the process of repair and replacement as the body regenerates the damage caused by the acid.

With regard to your boyfriend, stress does accelerate hair loss. I hope you love him enough to reduce his stress so that he remains young looking and hairy longer.

April 13, 2006

Should I Take Breaks Between Minoxidil Treatments? – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Dear Dr Rassman,

Thank you for this informative blog and your dedication to answering our balding questions.

My question is regarding rogaine or minoxidil and its effects after you have a break after several years of treatment. I for one am 25 and have used minoxidil 5% since I was around 22. My barber here in New York told me that for Minoxidil not to lose its long term effect it is good to have a break after a few years and then go back on it again so to keep its effectiveness. Is this true?

I for one listened to his advice and stopped using minoxidil 5% for three months and I could see an increase in hair fall out after two months specially in the templar areas where I had gained a lot of new growth. Now my second and more important question is will I once again benefit from using the minoxidil again? I went on minoxidil about 6 weeks ago again but havent seen any results yet.

so two questions:
1) Is it good to have breaks in minoxidil treatment?
2) Will the effects of the minoxidil come back after restarting the treatment?

Breaks in the use of minoxidil are disasterous, as you have already seen. So the answer to your first question is unequivocally, “no”. The hair may come back if your ‘rest’ period is under 2-3 months. Read elsewhere on this blog about Propecia and its appropriateness in young men losing their hair. Get a diagnosis and proper treatment.

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April 13, 2006

I Urinate Frequently When Taking Propecia – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

After taking a propecia tablet. I urinate frequently. It seems I can’t control my bladder. This may seem like a strange thing to say but my penis looks smaller. Almost as if it is shrinking. I can’t get erect because I feelnothing. Should I stop propecia?

Free shower Let me get this straight:

You cannot control you bladder.
Your penis is shrinking.
You cannot get an erection.
You cannot feel your penis.

I would be at my doctor’s office now if these were my complaints!

If you are noticing increased urinary frequency (polyuria), you may have other serious medical conditions such as diabetes which can also produce neuropathies that can change your feelings from sensory nerves. You should definitely follow-up with your primary care doctor or the doctor who prescribed you the drug Propecia. I have never heard of a shrinking penis caused by Propecia nor any of the other symptoms you mentioned in combination.

The “take home message” is you need to go SEE a medical doctor.