Female Hair Loss – Page 81

April 17, 2006

Why Does Rogaine for Women Contain Only 2% Minoxidil – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

I am a post-menopausal woman with female pattern hair loss. As you can imagine I am desperate to find a fix for this predicament. I’ve noticed that Rogaine for men has 5% minoxidil (sp?) while the women’s version has a maximum of 2%. The men’s version cautions that it is not to be used by women. Is that just because of possible child birth issues which would not be an issue for me?
Thank you.

Minoxidil will work better in women at a higher concentration. I can not tell you why some of the manufacturers recommend less than 5%, but I can tell you that the higher concentrations, although they may be more effective, do have more side effects. This drug is known to drop blood pressure and the more you use of it, the more the possibility of other side effects such as skin irritation.

With regard to use of minoxidil in pregnant women, this is a clear use that is contraindicated. Women must ‘know’ if they are pregnant and should be assured that they are not pregnant if they use this drug.

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 12, 2006

21 Year Old Female with Thinning Hair – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Im a 21 year old female and have been noticeing my hair getting thinner since december of ‘04. I figured it was just shedding and did not relieze a more drastic hair loss until september of 05. I went to two different dermatologists and both said my sclap was fine and to take vitimans. I had bloodwork done and everything came back normal. My mom is 52 with very thick hair and has been double processing it since she was in the 8th grade and my fathers side does not have any hairloss problems either. Im very confused and am worried to loose even more. It started in the front of my head now its March of 06 and im now loosing alot more in the back as well. The doctors said it could be stress .. but i would like to get to the bottom of it before it gets any worse. Is there anything else it could be?

Without seeing your hair loss pattern, I cannot comment on the etiology of your hair loss. You may have genetic female hair loss that has symptoms similar to yours, or other conditions. As you indicated that you are in New York I recommend you see Dr. Robert Bernstein, a hair transplant doctor who happens to be a dermatologist on the Columbia Medical School faculty.

For more information, look up female hair loss in the search engine on the front page of this site and you can read the various questions and answers that will align to your questions. Remember, the more you know when you see a doctor, the more value you will get from the questions you pose and the doctor answers.

April 12, 2006

Hair Loss Information » Woman with Chronic Telogen Effluvium – Balding Blog

Hi I am a 44 year old female with chronic TE and a positive hair pull. I had 2 brief incidents in my 30s but this latest one has been continuous for 18 months and I have lost a significant amount of my hair with little or no visible regrowth. All of my hormone tests are normal including thyroid, FSH, LH, estrogen, my testostone is even slightly below normal and my ANA is negative. The only issue I have is low ferritin and I have been taking iron for about a year but can’t seem to get the levels above the low end of normal.

My condition continues to deteriorate despite rogaine and topical steriods. I don’t know where to turn. Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

There are people who specialize in this. Please let me know where you live and I will try to find someone in your area. For more information see Telogen Effluvium by Elizabeth CW Hughes, MD.

April 11, 2006

Hair Loss Information » DHT in Women – Balding Blog

What can you tell me about a product called Ayuervedic. I am a 57 year old African American Female, who has had extensie hair loss since age 20 after a perm. I have been wearing a wig. I have recently met someone I like very much, but I am so ashamed of him learning that I wear a wig because, I am bald.

When will the FDA make drugs available to be purchased by perscription for hair loss? It is my belief that most people who suffer from hair loss, just like acne suffers, are very stressed. In this society we are so judged by appearences that some of us are getting ill from the stress hair loss can cause.

Also can you eloberate on what chemicals in the body cause imbalance. What chemicals cause DHT.

Thank you

It is my understanding Ayuervedic is a holistic approach to health care. I am not very familiar with it other than it is likely a natural supplement type of product. It is not a medicine.

The only FDA approved hair loss medication is topical minoxidil and oral finasteride (Propecia). Propecia is only approved for male patients because it works by blocking DHT formation. DHT is a naturally occuring hormone that is a breakdown of testosterone. Although women also have DHT and testosterone in their body, most causes of hair loss in women are not related to DHT. Even in rare instances that DHT is a factor in a woman’s hair loss, the use of finasteride (Propecia) is probitited in women due to possible birth defects. At 57 years young, I suspect you may not be thinking of becoming pregnant, but Propecia is still restricted for use in woman. Furthermore, DHT is not likely the cause of your hair loss so Propecia would not work for you.

If you are concerned about hair loss, you should make an appointment with your primary care doctor first to rule of any medical causes. If you are still not satisfied, you may consult with a hair transplant doctor. The most important advice or opinion I have for your case is to be honest with your new friend. It is embarassing especially for women to disclose their hair loss, but if your relationship is to blossom it may be one of the first steps.

April 11, 2006

Moved to New Country and Hair Is Falling Out – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi Dr.Rassman,
I been bothered by this problem for almost a year now and couldn’t find way of solving it .I been reding magzines and testimonials about this but need more explaination. I come from the Philippines but residing here in Dubai, U.A.E because i am working here now.I am here for 2 1/2 years now in Dubai.Back in the Philippines i have a healthy hair means shinny and bouncing but my nightmare came to me when I am here now in Dubai my healthy hair becomes lifeless, dull,dry,and i experience hairloss too plus my sclap is very itchy to been trying different medication about it but i don’t seem to see the results.

Admittedly, as a person I easily gets depressed and one year back i did experienced a total depression due to some personal problems. I also heard some stories that one reason of hairloss hair in dubai is the water and the harsh weather of this country .Also, I am quiet afraid of the reality that my mom had a thin hair and i suspect i may have hereditary hair loss.But , I am only 24 to experience such problem, that is why i am consulting you this problem because i really want to know the mean reason of my problem if you could elaborate some of the theory you may have for this; and also could you give a solutions or advise on what should i do .

Thank you very much and I would really appreciate everything if you will send me a reply on my e-mail as soon as possible.

I do not have an answer to your problem. Your depression should be addressed, but being away from home surely adds stress to your life and stress can change the character of hair in some people.

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April 10, 2006

5% Minoxidil for Women? – Balding Blog

Hello,
I am a 26 year old female and have been using 2% female minoxidil for a little over 6 months. I wanted to ask if it was safe for a woman to use the Men’s Strength 5%. Please advice.

You should use products as directed on the FDA approved label. 5% minoxidil is not available for women, but they are formulated for men. The women’s formulations are mostly water/alcohol based which makes it easier to style your hair. Most men’s preparations are oil based. You can use the woman’s alcohol base in the morning and the men’s 5% oil base at night. Some drug stores will make up the 5% alcohol base on prescription. Ask your pharmacist. Also, please see this article on HairLossTalk.com.

April 7, 2006

Female Hair Loss After Anorexia and Bulimia – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

My hair was quite thick when i was younger but I suffered in the past of anorexia and bulimia and my hair got thinner. It has been now less than a year that i am cured but noticed that my hairloss has increased. Is there anything that you can recommend and will my hair get back to its original condition.

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First, hair loss comes from many causes so you need to have a complete medical work-up to separate the real diseases that cause hair loss from the genetic programming that we inherit from our family lines. There are many ‘medical’ causes for hair loss and maybe you have one of them, such as hypothyroidism, eczema, alopecia, dieting, malnutrition, autoimmune, drugs, infection, genetics, etc.

Hormone levels for DHEAS, Testosterone, Androstenedione, Prolactin, Follicular Stimulating Hormone, and Leutinizing Hormone
Serum Iron, Serum Ferritin, TIBC (Total Iron Binding capacity)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
VDRL
Complete Blood Count (CBC) to rule out anemia

A good doctor is your first step. The problem with women’s hair loss is that when it occurs, it may precipitate genetic hair loss, the thinning of which may not be reversible. In your particular case, it is possible that your experience with anorexia and bulimia earlier may have ‘triggered’ the genetic process (if you have it). Get your tests done and communicate with your doctor, bonding with him/her so that your problem is theirs as well and be sure that you do not have a precipitating cause of the hair loss.

April 7, 2006

My Hair Is My Beauty and I’m Running Out Of It – Hair Loss Information – Balding Blog

I am a 21 year old African American female who has been dealing with Seborrheic Dermatitis and eczema since the age of fourteen. I have used everything from Mycolog, Desonide lotion to Selenium sulfide based shampoos. Now don’t get me wrong the do relieve me from the itching and greasy scaling of the skin. However in 2004 I noticed that the back region of my hair was thinning out. Also the right side had become infected due to constant scratching and became inflammed. About 2 weeks later the hair in that surrounding area started to fall out. I decided to do a biopsy so they could see exactly what was going on and hopefully remove the extra skin. I was later told that it was growing so I could either leave it in the state it was right now or try again. I chose to wait because it has really been frustrating for me and I didn’t want to make it worse than it already was. The only thing that bothers me is that I’m a young adult and I hide because of my appearance. It’s just a well known fact that a woman’s hair is her beauty and I’m running out of it. I just need some help and guidance and was wondering if you would point me the right direction. I was wondering will my hair ever grow back and how will I restore so it doesn’t happen again.

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It seems you are being followed by medical doctors for the cause of your hair loss. If there is an infection on your scalp complicated by your dermatitis and eczema, most medical doctors are well trained to address your problems. I realize hair loss can be a devastating experience for both men and women, but it is my opinion to treat the underlying medical condition and your hair should return once you get your medical problem solved.

April 7, 2006

Appearex – Hair Loss Information by Dr. William Rassman

Hi,
I’m a 40 year old female experiencing severe hair loss. I’ve had problems with hair loss for the past 13 years but last summer I went to a local salon to have the graying covered with some highlights. Whatever she used burned it because after that the hair strands are very thin and dry. I use alot of conditioner and it doesn’t help. I noticed that when after she washed the hair that it was severly tangled which resulted in her having to cut 3 inches from it to get the knots out from the burning. My hair was at that time past my knees with very few split ends. It is now around knee length and I keep it pulled up in a clasp. I have enclosed some photos to show the hairline-thinning-damage. I’ve been prescribed (Appearex) and don’t know much about it. Does this product actually help the hair as it states on the box that it’s a nail product? I have taken Lupron injections in the past and not sure if those created some of the hair loss but the problem is getting much worse and I don’t have a clue what to do about it. Thank you for taking the time to help others, and any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Appearex is a dietary supplement. Its generic name is biotin. Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin component of the vitamin B complex. As an essential nutrient, biotin acts as a coenzyme for the body’s carboxylation reactions and is a factor in maintaining healthy muscle, hair, nails, and skin. If you are Vitamin B complex deficient, then this may help your problem, but few Americans have such Vitamin problems with any reasonable American diet.

Because dietary supplements are essentially unregulated in the United States, you can not be sure what you are getting when you buy an over the counter supplement product. There are many preparations on the market (prepared or manufactured with different techniques that are not fully disclosed or regulated with different additives). With different preparations, the same supplement may not have the same effects or equal potencies. Because there is no regulation, the efficacy or the validity of such ingredients cannot be guaranteed. That is why you sometimes hear it is a “buyer beware” market.

There are many causes for hair loss. You should be evaluated by a medical doctor to rule out a medical cause for hair loss. If you are still not satisfied, you should see a hair transplant doctor to map your hair for miniaturization and a possible pattern for your hair loss.

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