Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => Personal Experiences => Topic started by: Sunnydays on August 26, 2017, 06:50:56 PM
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Hi I only take a low dose of Provera sequentially, and have been for past 3 months. I've noticed lately my hair is getting thinner!! There's no hair in my pillow in the morning but I'm conscious that when I brush it etc there's simply loads coming out. I have grown my hair longer over the past year so the hair may look more but I'm now becoming paranoid about it. I've had Evorel conto before and no hair problem then. I hope it's not the provera as it seems to suit me.
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I'm having the same with Utrogestan. I'm wondering if it's when they are not in a combo that they are not completely balanced. I'm not sure. I was thinking of switching to provera because of this.
My hair came out terrible with the gel, but I had every side effect going with that.
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does it settle down Katia? There's only so much hair I can lose!! I know what you mean by out of balance but although I'm post meno I've found this regime has worked quite well.
Do you think if the provera was continuous it might not happen?
In the pre meno days when progesterone levels changed during the month I didn't think hair fell out then!?
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I'm having the same with Utrogestan. I'm wondering if it's when they are not in a combo that they are not completely balanced. I'm not sure. I was thinking of switching to provera because of this.
My hair came out terrible with the gel, but I had every side effect going with that.
Hi Katia, I've been on provera (having switched from utrogestan) for about a month now but my extreme hair shedding continues. I'm not wondering if it's been the estrogel all this time! Was that what you meant when you said your hair came out with the gel? How are you other than that?
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Hi I only take a low dose of Provera sequentially, and have been for past 3 months. I've noticed lately my hair is getting thinner!! There's no hair in my pillow in the morning but I'm conscious that when I brush it etc there's simply loads coming out. I have grown my hair longer over the past year so the hair may look more but I'm now becoming paranoid about it. I've had Evorel conto before and no hair problem then. I hope it's not the provera as it seems to suit me.
I really do sympathise as I'm now considering getting a wig. I don't think mine is female pattern loss even though my menopause specialist says it is as it started with norethisterone (in evorel conti) stopped when I took femoston and came back when I switched to utrogestan and estrogel. Now I'm on provera/estrogel and the problem has just continued. Very upsetting for us women isn't it? I dont know as much as some on here but think katia may have a point about hormone balance??? Why did you switch from evorel if you don't mind me asking?
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Hi Peacegirl, I changed from Evorel conti to everol sequential as it was turning me into a witch and effecting those around me! Even in the sequential regime it built up, plus headaches.
I've also noticed that the hair loss is slightly more on the left side plus my left eyebrow seems thinner. I dip in and out of under active thyroid but as it's so minimal and short lived I don't have medication. I don't appear to have any of the other symptoms of underactive thyroid.
I'm actually at the hair dressers now and she's said there's no bald patches, and there is new hair coming through.
At the same time about 3 weeks ago I got a very very dry scalp on the left side and I wonder if this has aggravated the hair there. Who knows!
Any suggestions for vitamins etc for stronger hair routes?? It seems so petty to be so distressed about hair loss........
So I don't know if it's the provera or something else to see if I can slow it down......
I thought oestrogen was supposed to be good for hair growth. Plus don't men get thinner hair when their testosterone levels reduce? And yet these testosterone based progesterones can do the opposite. Rant over (for the time being!)
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Hi Peacegirl, I changed from Evorel conti to everol sequential as it was turning me into a witch and effecting those around me! Even in the sequential regime it built up, plus headaches.
I've also noticed that the hair loss is slightly more on the left side plus my left eyebrow seems thinner. I dip in and out of under active thyroid but as it's so minimal and short lived I don't have medication. I don't appear to have any of the other symptoms of underactive thyroid.
I'm actually at the hair dressers now and she's said there's no bald patches, and there is new hair coming through.
At the same time about 3 weeks ago I got a very very dry scalp on the left side and I wonder if this has aggravated the hair there. Who knows!
Any suggestions for vitamins etc for stronger hair routes?? It seems so petty to be so distressed about hair loss........
So I don't know if it's the provera or something else to see if I can slow it down......
I thought oestrogen was supposed to be good for hair growth. Plus don't men get thinner hair when their testosterone levels reduce? And yet these testosterone based progesterones can do the opposite. Rant over (for the time being!)
Ha ha, don't worry about ranting and I think your post reflects how most of us feel :o. I just read that there isn't any evidence of vitamins helping hair loss but this might refer to female pattern hair loss and I don't think ours is that type. I also dont know whether to try testosterone or not... I think it's totally understandable to feel upset about hair loss, society judges woman so harshly that we're bound to internalise this a bit. I'm just trying to make myself make the phone call to the wig shop :'(. I don't think provera is known for hair loss. I know utrogestan is supposed to be even less so but we are all different as we know x
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Hi ladies I suffered bad hair thinning on oestrogen alone, it was diffuse but shows more on top. Since I've been on testosterone my hair has improved, probably will never be what it was but also wanted to say I wear human hair clip in on top. I wouldn't be without it now. I have my hair up, down, straight and wavy.
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Hi ladies I suffered bad hair thinning on oestrogen alone, it was diffuse but shows more on top. Since I've been on testosterone my hair has improved, probably will never be what it was but also wanted to say I wear human hair clip in on top. I wouldn't be without it now. I have my hair up, down, straight and wavy.
It's so Interesting to hear that estrogen can also affect hair loss and testosterone can help. I'm glad the hair clip works. I am a little unlucky in that I have the kind of hair that everything slides out of including scarves! It may be that a wig is the only way forward for me now.
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Don't discount it Peacegirl. These clips are pressure sensitive (or something like that). They stay put on even the thinnest of hair which I've seen on YouTube
When I wear mine down (it's been cut to @12-14") I also wear clip in hair extensions round the back of my head which takes the length to about 16", then I use straighteners to make beach wave curls. I got ready for a wedding reception a couple of weeks ago and my 22 yr old son commented how lovely my hair looks. I'd never accept my real hsir again after wearing these pieces, they make me look healthier
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Don't discount it Peacegirl. These clips are pressure sensitive (or something like that). They stay put on even the thinnest of hair which I've seen on YouTube
When I wear mine down (it's been cut to @12-14") I also wear clip in hair extensions round the back of my head which takes the length to about 16", then I use straighteners to make beach wave curls. I got ready for a wedding reception a couple of weeks ago and my 22 yr old son commented how lovely my hair looks. I'd never accept my real hsir again after wearing these pieces, they make me look healthier
Oh really, I've never heard of them, will do some research thanks! I don't mind rubbish hair some of the time but it would be nice when goi g out to be able to make it look better.
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Thanks for all these snippets of info ladies. It's so interesting that, as with most things to do with darned meno, effects each one of so differently e.g. hair thinning on oestrogen only, some with progesterone etc etc.
I called the doctor as I want to discount underactve thyroid as possible cause (see earlier comment) and he was very kind - agreed to run a blood test for it and said he would also add a couple of others for things that can cause hair thinning. Booked for next Thursday. (As long as it hasn't all fallen out by then :'(
If thyroid is ok I guess I'll have to stop hrt. I didn't get on with utrogesran and I really don't want to take a tablet only hrt e.g. Femostan(?) - I use a patch for at the moment for oestrogen.
Annie the hair piece sounds great. I have fine hair but have lots of hair (well did!) and things slide out easily but I might give these a try.
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Hi Sunnydays
This is what it says about the different types of progestogen on this website:
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/perimeno.php
Used in women with an intact uterus (womb) who are not yet postmenopausal, i.e. have some periods due to continuing ovarian function. Products contain daily estrogen and cyclical progestogen.
Progestogens which can be used cyclically are of 3 main types:
Testosterone derived - Norgestrel, Norethisterone acetate and Levonorgestrel.
Less testosterone related - Medroxyprogesterone acetate(MPA).
Least testosterone related - Dydrogesterone and Micronised progesterone (Utrogestan).
Side effects are often experienced during the progestogen phase of treatment and can be reduced by using a product containing a different type or route of progestogen.
The main thing is that endogenous (our own) sex hormones (oestrogen and testosterone) give us a healthy head of hair but maybe adding some of them can cause problems. Some progestogens can lead to hair loss - as can testosterone in some women and it seems to be an individual response. Underactive thyroid and some other deficiencies can also cause it.
The other thing is that even though we might be taking oestrogen - the overall level is usually far less than when we were fertile and had luscious locks - so we might attribute further loss to the additional oestrogen - when in fact it is actually declining overall - as well as testosterone - which must of us don't take. Do you see what I mean?
Anyway good luck with the blood tests and hope you sort something out.
From a personal point of view my hair is much less thick than it was when fertile and menstruating even though I am on HRT. I only take a medium dose oestrogen, progesterone is at a minimum ( every 6-8 weeks) and a daily blob of testosterone. Maybe it has got a bit thicker on the T but nowhere near what it was in my younger days...
Hurdity x
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I was taking Utrogestan co it ullah with a three day break with the gel. It was my first HRT. My hair was coning out more. Not just when I washed it but if I touched it I'd have a hair or tow in my hands. On the days with just the gel it seemed to be worse. I stopped the HRT for blood tests and started back with the gel. All the problems came back so I stopped the gel and just used Utrogestan. I had some hair loss, but not as bad as with the gel. My consultant switched the gel to Premarin. I'm still having some, which I think is the Utrogestan, but nowhere near as bad as with the gel/utro combo. I've no side effects with Premarin. I'm thinking of trying provera to see if it's any better than utro
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It's a constant balancing act!! I'm wondering if my oestrogen has fallen back again again now that I'm about 3/4 years post meno (I've lost count). I take a 37.5 oestrogen patch but cut it back so its about halfway between the 25 and 37.5 patch amount ( sounds daft, boring illogical story etc etc!) but I'm wondering if I should just try a full 37.5 patch. Coupled with this I've been doing the provera 5mcg sequentially every 28 days for past 2/3 months and I wonder if it's more progesterone than I need for the amount of oestrogen. Ill see what happens with the blood test results for thyroid but I may eek out the provera to every 6/8 weeks (I know some ladies have this regime) or I'll go completely opposite and try provera 2.5mcg on a continuous basis! Decisions decisions taking too much of my thinking time when I'd rather be getting on with life!
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You should start a new thread on that as you should be monitored I think if you take a longer break with prog. My meno nurse said prog opposes oestrogen so if that's right and you're on a low oestrogen dose that could be your reason for hair loss
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Ah that's interesting Annie - thank you. Not sure that there's many in the forum that use Provera. I do have a uterus scan each year to check all is ok :)
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Maybe try increasing gently on oestrogen to 37.5 - 50?
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Annie, I'm now only cutting a tiny bit off the 37.5 so will see how this goes. Blood test is Thursday so will post when I have results.
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Its so hard getting the right dose/balance
Good luck with the test x
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I had my blood test results back - all fine. Thyroid TSH (?) within range and the Doctor checked for trace elements as well.
So maybe it's the hrt causing hair thinning or simply getting older!!
I've been scrutinising every female head of hair in the past week: some women of my age or older with a thick head of hair or some with the thinner look like mine!
From large amounts of hair coming out it has now eased back to normal but I don't want it to happen again!
On another note, on this cycle of provera , unlike the other cycles, I didn't get a bleed at all. Strange
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What was your thyroid reading? Sometimes symptoms are experienced even when results are within normal range, and women feel sub-optimal (tired, weight gain, hair loss, cold etc).
re the bleed: you are taking a very low dose of oestrogen but I see the Provera (5 mg) is also low dose compared to the amount given on this website (10 mg sequential). However the fact that you didn't get a bleed suggests that the Provera may still be higher than needed for that amount of oestrogen. Perhaps you could go for the longer cycle as you suggest with your doctor's approval, or increase the oestrogen? I know Dana takes Provera with an oestrogen patch - I don't know what her doses are though so perhaps have a look at some of her posts on this?
Hurdity x
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I think there is provera 2.5mg. I'm going to try it instead of the utrogestan as that builds up and makes me a bit groggy. For premarin it's the 2.5mg for daily use, so the 5mg would be for sequential. I'm peri but find I do better trying to keep stable. Can they be cut in half?
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Under active thyroid has been an issue on amd off for past couple of years as I sit between subcoinical and a 'good reading'. The gp doesn't seem to do the full tests each time so I think I'll
Try and get one privately in the new year.
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Didn't get to finish that message properly as Internet and phone problem!
I was going to go on to say that I might try a longer sequence, say 6 weeks, or try the 2.5 mgs. It's just the time for experimenting! It needs 3/4 months to see how it works and so it seems like that hrt and hormones become the darned focus!
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I remember now about you and thyroid - I think you mentioned this before? I would definitely pursue this (full thyroid profile including anti-bodies) if your TSH is consistently over 3 and you are experiencing symptoms. Countrybumpkin used to be an advisor for a thyroid charity so maybe send her a pm (hope she won't mind my suggesting this....). I know very little about it!
Personally I wouldn't wait until the new year - that's along time away - but depends on how you are feeling generally of course! Yes time to experiment (safely) I think....
Hurdity x
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I was thinking yesterday about the androgens and hair. So many ladies say that t improves their hair, yet the progestegens that are androgenic are supposed to make it worse. A study on t and hair said androgen therapy didn't increase loss and improved hair for some ladies. I wonder if it's been a bit under reasearched and it's the connected to the androgenic progestegens? Does anyone have thoughts on this?
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Hi sunny days, I'm just wondering if your hair loss has settled down with the provera? I have some and don't know whether to see how it goes, or look at a change.
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Hi Katia, it does seem to have done. It's really strange - I had a two week period where it was coming out left right and centre when I brushed/ combed it. It has definitely thinned out. However the loss has stopped and at the front I have shorter new hair in places. It's just so weird - I almost wondered if I had a load of new hair coming through that was pushing out the old hair - yes daft I know.
I've spoken to various friends etc over the last couple of weeks and they've all
Mentioned hair becoming thinner at this age.
My fingers are crossed mine doesn't she again.....
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Hi, just thought I would update although I've deviated somewhat from my thread title! I arranged a full thyroid blood test - had to see a private GP, couldn't just ask a private hospital myself. She arranged the full set of thyroid as well as vitamin d ( I said I get achy, catch colds easily etc)
Results back the day after and everything spot on! I've niggled about my thyroid for ages so now I have the full set of results I shall forget about it and just have test annually due to family umderactive connection.
So In a way it doesn't solve the hair falling out but this seems ok now, whether it was provera or indeed the Evorel I had before I don't know.
I do lack an energy and get hot easily etc etc so I'm wandering about the hrt. Is it the hrt that causes it and should I stop completely! Or should I try not cutting a bit off my 37,5 oestrogen patch anymore and having the whole lot. I've gone on the premis that we should keep dose low as possible; plus the more oestrogen I take means the more demon progesterone I have to take!
I shall have to ponder - I think may be I'll increase to full patch first before stopping as down below has been so helped with the hrt.
The other thing is I do have a low lymphocyte count and have done so for long while. It's within parameters albeit it low. Any ideas from anyone on foods etc that can increase this. I eat a good diet!
Thanks - a real me me post!
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Hi Sunnydays, my hair went on a crazy shed with provera. I had to stop it. Estradiol didn't seem to help the meno symptoms too much either. I found premain better at controling heat and aching, but I can't find a progesterone to work yet.
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Well....I'm not on HRT, and I've noticed the hair thinning for the last three years. I don't think it's anything to do with HRT, it's just simply part of being a woman, hormones and meno. Last year, I lost all the top layer of hair due to sudden breakage or loss ....I looked like suzi Quattro with a feather cut for ages. I used to have long thick hair and it may be vain- but it's one of the worst of the many symptoms of menopause for me. I have been taking Incite Biotin and MSM (Amazon) and using Kerastase Oil ultime and it's helping.