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[photo_jenny]

HRT regimen: progesterone via Mirena coil and topical oestrogen 2 pumps of gel.

Hi

I have experienced hair loss since beginning perimenopause, and now post menopause I have significantly decreased hair. Very upsetting.

I learned that Pumpkin seed oil can be helpful, and went straight into taking it daily. I took it consistently for 3 weeks.

I suffered a sharp drop in mood - severe low mood is my primary menopausal symptom, (and which I have suffered from all my life). I immediately googled to see if the pumpkin oil could be a factor, and turns out it can affect hormone levels. I stopped taking it straight away.

My question is: if the Pumpkin seed oil was the culprit then:

a) is it possible that 3 weeks of taking it could be behind this change, I.e. if I equate the Pumpkin seed oil as an increase of HRT?

And

b) how long before the adjustment back to ‘normal’ will my hormone levels stop causing symptoms?

Looking at all available web information, it seems to suggest that 3 weeks is not long enough to have a significant impact on hormone levels which gives me a small amount of hope.

For context, I have also been dealing with CPTSD following the sudden loss of my dad from COVID nearly 5 years ago (still!). I started the slow climb out of a hideous and prolonged period of depression a couple of years ago, and would say that I am 3/4s of the way out of that. Not a straight road, and has featured many setbacks along the way.

Very angry with myself for starting the Pumpkin seed oil without sufficient initial research.

Any insight/knowledge gratefully received.

Anna.

[CLKD]

Death during the Covid pandemic has long lasting effects so don't beat yourself up!

What has been prescribed for the depression and have U considered counselling?  CRUSE are a good place to begin, though there are waiting lists.  There is no limit to how we feel after a death even though many believe that they 'should be over it by now' 

The body may well react to anything out of the ordinary in our diets. Also alternatives aren't researched as much as NICE approved drug choices.  Sometimes it's the additives/fillers that cause problems rather than any active ingredient. What was in the oil, how much active ingredient is in the product?  Is it padded out?
 
Do U feel well on the HRT regime?

Also I have discussed hair 'loss' with my salon which tell me that the follicles don't regrow as quickly as when we were younger and the hair won't fall out all at once unless there is a health problem. So many think that they have a lot of hair loss when it's simply a slowing of the regrowth.  I think that I'm getting thin on top  .  What would I do if it began to fall out is still in the back of my mind.

U should consider going to a salon with knowledge of menopause hair problems.  U may need to contact several because if they R run by young women [in the main] they may not be aware of peri etc..  U tried something and it didn't suit you, don't fret.

[photo_jenny]

Hello

Thanks for getting back to me with such a thoughtful reply.

The issue with my bereavement is that I suppressed the grief for 3 years, which resulted in heavy depression/anxiety. I didn’t do this deliberately, and only started to properly process it at the beginning of last year.

I have had a variety of therapies over the years, starting way back when I was a student in the 1980s, my last course right after my dad died. I have taken lots of different medications, and spent a cumulative total of 16 months in psychiatric wards in the 90s. The last admission was the one that turned things around (2001), putting me on a different med combination which I am still taking. Unfortunately, as those with depression and on medication know, this only brings you to a normal baseline; life’s challenges still occur and pitch you into whatever your personal reactions happen to be. It still took another 7 or 8 years before I was able to go back to work (the severity and length of that particular episode was 8 years). I have consistently worked since 2007. I had achieved a really good level of ‘wellness’ by 2019, when the menopause took off in earnest and then my dad died in early 2020. This is a long winded way of saying that I have a good handle on that side of things.

Re. the pumpkin seed oil, it was high grade and pure. Looking at different sources online, including Medline, it seems that it is known for having the (unfortunate) potential for interfering with hormone balance. I have therefore been viewing it as the same/similar to increases/decreases in HRT. I have made various adjustments to this over the years and always suffered a return of symptoms until I have achieved appropriate levels. I am clinging to the hope that 3 weeks’ intake is not sufficient to make any significant changes to my oestrogen/progesterone levels, and I will return to the level I was at prior to taking it.

As I said before, I am beyond angry with myself for not doing any research or consulting my GP before embarking. Even though I know it’s fruitless.

I will take your advice re my hair on board - thanks. I have been looking into wigs/hairpieces too … though I picture myself looking like a combination of Paul Daniels and Terry Wogan ! This would be horrible 😧.

Anyway, thanks again and apologies for the length of my reply. I didn’t write as much for my degree dissertation!

Cheers
Anna.

[CLKD]

Morning.  Grief takes no normal pathway.  There mayB an element of PTSD in your reactions too.

Usually when I am bereaved or there's a 'life event' I deal at the time: it can be many months/years B4 I react, usually a trigger of something totally unrelated.  This usually amounts to days of sobbing with deep anxiety as the adrenaline drops.

It is what it is, so don't beat yourself up . 

There is a hair dresser who died during last year who dealt a lot with hair loss - when I remember I'll let U know, it might be worth while your looking at his website: I believe that his Charity work with wig making etc. continues. 

[CLKD]

"My New Hair" - A charity that provides Support & Advice for medical hair loss [Trevor Sorbie - died November 2024]

[photo_jenny]

Hi CLKD, thanks for your kind responses … yes I have heard of Trevor Sorbie. I will check out his charity.

I am the same, I deal really well with trauma as it’s happening, but crash badly later.

[CLKD]

Be kind to yourself!