Female Going Through Menopause and Getting Hair Loss
My hair loss started 3.5 years ago as I turned 50. Now I have half my density. Labs show subclinical hypothyroidism, elevated antibodies, a high estradiol to progesterone ratio of 170 to 0.2, and free testosterone high at 5.6. Zinc level (AP) always low. My doctor blames all symptoms, including hair loss, weight gain, loss of skin elasticity and muscle tone, etc. on menopause. She suggests HRT.
Your doctor is probably correct; your hair loss is related to the appearance of menopause. The estrogen you made had protected you from your genetics, but, now with a lower estrogen, your genetics can be expressing itself. As for Hormone Replacement Therapy, I don’t believe it works for this condition.
We have been performing Scalp Micropigmentation as a cosmetic treatment for the visual effects of thinning hair with great success. Here are some examples of women we have treated: https://scalpmicropigmentation.com/smp-for-women/
Should I ride out my Finasteride side-effects?
I’m 19 and I’ve been taking 1 mg of fin daily for one week. My libido has dropped and it takes forever to get an erection. I also have slight ball ache, watery semen, and possibly some headaches, but that’s probably just because I haven’t gotten enough sleep this week. I’m not paranoid to be honest. But will these side effects subside eventually? Should I try to ride them out? It’s mainly the low libido that’s worrying me. It’s unfortunate timing since I met a girl I really like recently.
If you have sexual side effect from finasteride and don’t reverse them by reducing the dose, then you should stop the drug. The risks for Post Finasteride Syndrome (if it exists) is high if you continue to take the drug. You should see the doctor who prescribed the drug to you for advice.
2021-09-01 01:43:002021-02-27 10:43:54Should I ride out my Finasteride side-effects?
Female Hair Loss When Hair Gets Long
I’m female and I like long hair but I have noticed when my hair gets about 2 inches past my shoulders it starts to fall out. But when its short I don’t have any hairloss at all.
Your hair length is determined by your hair cycle. What that means, is that longer hair may not be possible for you, because your hair cycle ends when the hair gets just beyond shoulder length (let’s say 14 inches). Assuming your hair grows at 1/2 inch per month, at 28 months the hair cycle kicks in and the hair falls out, being replaced by a new hair grown from the scalp. We cycle hair all of the time ‘asynchronously’, which means that we do not shed our hair like furry animals at seasons, but replace hair at about 100 hairs per day. This is a normal process for you. If your hair grew out 3 feet, then your hair cycle would be 6 years rather than 28 months.
2005-12-15 14:35:202005-12-15 14:38:12Female Hair Loss When Hair Gets Long
Should I Wear Goggles When Applying Minoxidil?
Dear Doctor
Do you know any possible ways of avoiding eye irritation because of minoxidil lotion usage?
*Does it make any good if i put goggles on when i am applying it on my scalp?
*Does it make any good if i close my eyes during application?
*Does it make any good if i wash my forehead with a wet cloth after application?Thanks..
You should not get eye irritation from minoxidil use. If you are having eye irritation you are likely allergic to the medication or you are doing something wrong. Goggles are not likely the answer.
Female pattern hair loss vs Chronic Telogen Effluvium
I am in my mid-30s and I have had three hair transplants to address the thinning but they did not work and I am no better. I also had PRP and that also did not give me any benefit. My doctor told me that he wanted to use drugs like spirinolactone and told me about them, but he also said these drugs did not work well. What else can I do?
I never treat women like you with hair transplants when there is diffuse thinning present because it does not produce value for you. The diagnosis sounds like typical female genetic balding and if I am correct, your donor area will show significant miniaturization, which always makes the diagnosis for me. The only treatment is a cosmetic one, the use of scalp micropigmentation (SMP), See these links which show many women who have been treated with SMP and now have a fuller look. https://scalpmicropigmentation.com/smp-for-women/
Significant Amount of Small Hairs Growing 1 Month Post-Surgery
Dr,
I know that after transplantation one can expect to start seeing growth after 2-3 mo. It is only one month post-op for me and there are a significant amount of small hairs already emerging. Does this mean that I can expect better than average results, or that the total amount of hair will just come in sooner.
PS – I am taking propecia. Thanks for your help doc
I am not sure what you are looking at. The transplanted hair appears to grow for the first few weeks before falling out in 95% of patients. In 5% of patients it grow and keeps growing. Be patient and wait. You will soon know what will happen.
Filling In Thinning Areas
I have a question. I would like to know if areas which are only slightly thinning can be filled in as most doctors will not do this. Also laser therapy,does it actually regrow hair and is it worth spending my money on. I hope you can answer my questions. Thank you kindly
Transplantation of hair is generally not a good option to take just to thicken an almost normal head of hair. Hair lasers (called Low Level Laser Therapy) is gaining popularity. Many article writtin in Europe indicate benefit from LLLT and one new article in the US in a new medical journal has suggested benefits to this therapy. A study I am aware of is presently being done will conclusively establish the value of this modality shortly.See my extensive written piece on lasers here.
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