Month: September 2012

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Masturbating Causes My Hair Loss and Boils on My Head – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Dr,
I am 26 & experiencing severe dandruff ,itching on skull,hair fall after masturbation.I have small boils on my head after masturbation which automatically go away if I don’t masturbate for few days also is it normal for the skull specially the top part of my skull to remain hot after masturbation(this is where I am having hair loss)?

The above mentioned problem is recurring & is specifically caused due to masturbation, reason: if I don’t masturbate for few days these problems don’t occur.Please help me with you valuable advise.

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We’ve written about this many times. Simply put — masturbation does not cause hair loss. I do not know what other advice I can provide or how much clearer I can be.

If you strongly feel masturbation is causing your hair loss, then stop masturbating. I suppose at that point, it is your choice — you can choose hair versus masturbation. I have no idea how small boils could develop on your head after masturbating, then magically disappear when you’re leaving yourself alone. See a dermatologist about the boils (infections).

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Transplant Specialist for African Hair Type? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hi, where in the world would you recommend getting a transplant for an Afro-Carribean? Australia? USA or here in New Zealand ? I am happy to travel to any country..Thanks

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This would be a biased answer since we at NHI routinely perform hair transplants, including curly hairs (African men, etc). I would like to think we are the best in the world, but I generally leave that up to our patients to be the judge.

We also can do follicular unit extraction (FUE) on this hair type, something that few doctors can offer. I realize choosing a doctor or a medical group may be difficult but if you do the research, you will get a good idea. You can also refer to our guide, Selecting a Hair Transplant Doctor.

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Could My Hair Loss Be From Having Diabetic Ketoacidosis? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

(female)
I have lost about 70% of my hair since January and am unsure if it was due to having diabetic ketoacidosis. I do have some regrowth but my hair is very thin, especially around my forehead hairline. Is this from the dka and will it grow back or should I see a dr.? I asked my endocrinologist but they said there could be a lot of reasons. I’m really concerned and don’t know if I should wait it out or seek further medical advice.

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Diabetic ketoacidosis is a potentially life threatening condition. It is a major stress to your body, which could be one of the many possible reasons you are experiencing hair loss (much like what your doctor already told you). The most important point is to get your health back in shape and control the diabetes. If the hair loss is from stress, it should recover within a year.

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After Stopping Propecia, My Libido and Erections Came Back – But I’m Losing Hair! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I had been on Propecia for years but unfortunately suffered with notable side effects, particularly sexually. I had little libido, suffered with incomplete erections, testicular pain, and limited ejaculate volume. I realized that it was negatively impacted relationships with women since I had little interest in them sexually.

I decided in January to come off Propecia as a trial. I noticed a bump in libido after a few weeks off and improved mood and motivation. My erections did not return however until about four months off Propecia, firm by five months. I am now in a dilemma because the hair loss has been terrific. I went from excellent hair to thinning lifeless hair (made worse by using Rogaine) and noticeable loss of temporal region hairline. My appearance has definitely suffered and I am not in a relationship.

I am contemplating going back on Propecia and wanted to know if you would recommend 0.25 mg starting dose or 0.5 mg? Can I expect some regrowth on top at these doses? What is your experience with these lower doses. Some have recommended 1 mg every two to three days due to the long action of the medication (in an attempt to limit side effects). Any assistance would be greatly appreciated!

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My assistance and recommendation for you is to discuss your issues with your doctor who prescribes you the medication. This is a general source of information. I do not and cannot advise you on personal medical issues.

If you have side effects from medications then it is something you inform your doctor. Some patients continue to take the medications after the risks and benefits have been considered. Some patients take a lower dose in hopes that the side effect would be less and the benefits would continue.

There are reports that at even half the dose (0.5mg finasteride daily) can be about 70 to 80 percent effective on the treatment of androgenic alopecia. I’ve prescribed a lower dose to some patients and they’ve had continued benefits from the medication, but that is something you’ll need to discuss with your prescribing doctor.

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Hair Loss InformationMy Senile Alopecia Has Continued Despite Taking Finasteride for 2 Years – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My diffuse unpatterned hair loss (or senile alopecia, I’m 59) has continued to get worse despite 2 years straight of finasteride. In your experience, have you seen a reason for people to continue finasteride after 2 years, if their hair loss simply continues to progress?

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Finasteride 1mg (Propecia) is for the treatment of androgenic alopecia, not senile alopecia or diffuse unpatterned alopecia. I realize they may co-exist, and some doctors and patients may make the decision the try taking the medication to see if it would help. If you are not seeing any results, speak with your doctor and decide on the course of action.

In my experience, I do not prescribe finasteride for treating diffuse unpatterned hair loss or senile alopecia.

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Taking Propecia for 2 Days Made My Semen Watery! – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hey Doc, I just wanted to share my opinion on Propecia. I was noticing some recession of my hairline & got it checked by mt Derm. He told me it’s just my maturing/adult hairline forming. But I panicked & asked for a 1 month Propecia Prescription. I’ve taken it for only 2 days & have noticed a low volume in sperm when I masturbate; almost liquid/watery. Much less thickness then before. What I’m going to do is get my Hormone Levels check in a week since that might be enough for Propecia to exit my body. Could it be that I might not need Propecia if my DHT levels come back normal. And the low volume could have been a sign saying there’s no need to decrease your DHT levels since you have normal DHT levels. Again I’ll wait and see what happens.

The last thing I would like to state is that I think at least a good 70-80% might notice low volume when it comes to the sperm. Now this could just be a common side effect of your body getting used to Propecia, and will return to normal within a few weeks- hence the only 2% notice sexual side effects of a period of years when it comes to the trials. So basically I think the low volume when it comes to the Semen could be just like Shedding or mild headache from something like Rogaine which a lot of people experience while using Rogaine & then it goes away. So maybe the Low volume in Semen could be the same- first few weeks it could be low & then return to normal after the body gets used to it.

The thing is if this is true and Merk knows it, then they should state it clearly: That most men taking Propecia will notice a low count in the volume of semen in the first few weeks but then it will subside and return to normal. I think this very much is true, but Merk might be scared to state this clearly as it will scare of customers from hearing about low volume in semen in the first few weeks. Again I would love your insight on this, as I believe it is true. I’m not saying Propecia has a long time effect on Semen Volume, but it could have a short time? maybe a few weeks as the body is getting adjusted to the levels. Again Merk should state this as it could also put rest to all the stories of side effects ruining peoples life.

Thank You & I hope you take your time reading this

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One of the side effects of Propecia involves the volume and/or viscosity of the semen, but I would be surprised if it would occur in just 2 days. This has nothing to do with the sperm count per unit volume of semen or one’s erection or libido.

The mature hairline evolution may not be impacted by finasteride, but I really am not sure on this statement.

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Hair Loss InformationCan Whey Supplements Accelerate MPB? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

do supplements such as whey protein powders or glutamine affect or accelerate MPB? i have read protein powders raises testosterone which raises DHT, and glutamine raises GH which raises testosterone and again DHT.

thank you!

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There is no direct evidence of a connection, however, it is possible that it might cause hormone changes. We’ve addressed this before in a guest post by Dr. Richard Shiell.

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I’m a Breastfeeding Mom And My Dermatologist Told Me to Just Deal with My Hair Loss – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I went to see a dermatologist in Raleigh NC. After he learned that my hair loss started 15 years ago, then got excessive in the last 3 months since I am a breast feeding mom, he came to the conclusion that I have the genetic type of hair loss and I have 2 choices if I am not going to have more kids – propecia or rogaine.

I mentioned that my scalp is irritated and I have a lot of pain. His response was that this may not be related to hair loss. Bottom line he said that he wished that he was a hero and could fix my hair but he is not and he asked me to look at his bald hair. He basically said there is no cure yet and just deal with it. This experience was so hard because I had hope that I will get some kind of help, instead I had to hear just deal with it and use rogaine.

it has been 2 days since then and still asking myself if I went to see a very honest dermatologist that happened to be a rude doctor or if there was some test and other practices that he should’ve proceeded with but would not or could not do.

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I wish I was a hero too, but I am merely a doctor who has to inform you that there is no medical cure for hair loss in either men or women. Maybe your doctor was too blunt or was not sensitive to such a delicate issue, but I think your doctor was being honest.

In general, the only hope for women that want to treat hair loss (after excluding any medical reasons for the loss) is topical minoxidil, also sold as Rogaine. Propecia (finasteride) does not really work for women unless there is a clear diagnosis of androgenic alopecia and it should never be prescribed to any woman who might get pregnant. And since you’re a breastfeeding mother, it should be pointed out that it is unknown if the medication can be passed through breast milk. Besides that, even if you have androgenic alopecia, Propecia is generally not recommended for women since we do not know the potential side effects (including cancer). The cancer part may be very rare, but since there have been no large scale studies it might just be a worst case scenario that has been theorized.

The final option may be hair transplant surgery, but this is also a limited solution for women who generally have diffuse thinning. And since you were curious about tests for possible causes of female hair loss, they are listed here.

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My Hair Loss Started When I Began Using New Shampoo – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

hi doctor,
I am a serious victim of hair loss and I am really worried. I am only the age of 19. My hair started to fall since the time I started using the head and shoulder shampoo about a month ago. After I realise that my hair fall was because of the shampoo so I stopped using it 15 days ago. In this 15 days my hairs have fallen like a waterfall from my head. In my family only my grandfather is bald. Before using the shampoo my hair was quite thick. After avoiding using the shampoo my hair still falls. When the water is poured in my head I could really see my hairlines. I am really worried. Please help me. Will my hair grow once again?

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A few things that stand out to me:

  • You’re at the age where it wouldn’t be unusual to see the genetic hair loss process start
  • You have a family history of hair loss
  • You’ve diagnosed your problem as being caused by shampoo

Shampoo isn’t going to cause hair loss unless perhaps you have an allergy to an ingredient. There’s a thread on this site about Head and Shoulders shampoo with hundreds of comments from people, but I really wouldn’t expect this commonly used shampoo to cause the hair loss you’re seeing. See a dermatologist for an examination.

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Could Obesity Cause Female Hair Loss? – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

Hello Dr.

I am a 21yr old female. I am 5’5″ and 85kgs overweight girl. My TSH level is 7.49mg/dl. So I have hypothyroidism. I had started hair loss since the age of 12yrs. But I didn’t really notice it then. The hair loss then worsened gradually until at the age of 16yrs I developed a bald patch on the left lateral aspect of my scalp which slowly spread to my right lateral aspect also. This had affected my psychologically and socially. I am a MBBS student.

I had read that if there is excess Oestrogen levels then it gets converted into testosterone which causes hirudism and baldness. My question is this: does obesity cause baldness in any way? I am taking treatment for hypothyroidism and also am taking multi vitamin supplements. Still there is no improvement. In fact… My baldness is increasing. Kindly help me out please. Thank you

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While obesity itself doesn’t cause female hair loss, stress and poor diet can certainly contribute. I’ve written the same thing before here.

Hypothyroid, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and many other medical issues can potentially cause hair loss. The goal is to treat the medical issues and the hair loss should slow down. You need to be followed by your physician. That is the best help I can offer.