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[photo_jenny]

Hi

My already fine / sparse hair has taken a major turn for the worse since the whole perimenopause / menopause rigmarole started (approximately 15 years ago).

Context: I am 58, am now post menopause (4 years now). I am on 2 pumps of estradiol and have a Mirena coil for progesterone. I am aware that I probably don’t need the progesterone now, but I have an extensive history of severe depression and don’t want to risk messing with my hormones. Another story ..

So, my hair. I have probably lost 40% of my hair and am really upset about it. I don’t really want to go to a trichologist because of the cost (initial consultation plus future treatments/consultations). I have just started Regaine and crossing my fingers.

My question is: could it be because my oestrogen level is not right and I need to be increasing it? I am very tempted to get my oestrogen levels tested - this has never been done at any point in my ‘journey’. I would, of course, be going privately which is fine.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Cheers
Anna.

[Clovie]

Hi Anna

I'm sorry I can't advise or anything but just to say I will be following your thread.
And to sympathise and relate 
I'm 61, and already had fine hair to start with but since perimenopause I've thinned, in fact in certain overhead lights you can really see my scalp on top which is depressing!
I'm thinning in the classic female pattern, mostly top front and both temple areas.
I wear my hair fairly long and curly so it DOES hide it mostly, but I can really tell a difference myself. My hair, which I only wash every 5-6 days comes out in a handful every time.

What are your iron levels like Anna?'
I ask because 2 years ago I was quite badly anaemic and I read that low iron can cause thinning, but yes, like you Id read about low oestrogen too.

Its a fine balancing tightrope with oestrogen for me as I am going through some drama with my HRT * big sigh * and I don't want to use a lot of oestrogen right now.

I'd be interested in your answers anyway

Take care, and happy to chat about it, if it helps!

[sheila99]

Have you seen your GP about it? Imo the place to start is an appointment with a dermatologist. My GP wouldn't refer me but yours might be considered bad enough that they will. It can be from low oestrogen but there are other causes too and a dermatologist should be able to tell the cause. You can get an oestrogen test done privately (medichecks, randox etc) if your GP won't do one. My hair shedding stopped with adequate oestrogen but obviously it's only going to help if that is the cause of yours. Incidentally if you still have your womb you still need a progestogen if you're using systemic oestrogen.

[photo_jenny]

Clovie,

Thanks for getting back to me - it’s reassuring that I am not alone in this.

I have to have my hair short to give any possible semblance of thicker hair (also my hair does not grow longer than shoulder length and, when I couldn’t get my hair cut during lockdown, it was literally wispy rats tails). But even short it kind of clings to my head. I try not to get upset about it, but not always possible. Especially when I see pictures of myself with a much fuller head of hair …😞 And, as I said, it was already very fine and not a huge amount of it.

I got my thyroid/iron etc. tested with Medichecks a couple of years ago and all was ok. My diet is very good and I always incorporate foods that contain minerals/minerals specific to menopause and hair growth.

There is a test for various markers associated with female hair loss - including oestrogen with a centre called One Day Tests. I did a bit of research into this place and it seems OK from what I found. I am also making a GP appointment tomorrow to talk it over, and hopefully get some kind plan in plan.

Thanks once again.

[TJ1313]

How long have you had the Mirena? I lost a lot of hair on mine plus other side effects, it started to grow back once removed.