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Author Topic: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT  (Read 5248 times)

Lil Lynn

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Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« on: April 22, 2016, 07:02:16 PM »

Hello Ladies

I came across this forum by googling my hair loss problem and am hoping someone may have experienced something similar to me. It is a bit of a long story but I'm 47 and have suffered from female pattern hair loss since my twenties. I recently went to see a specialist dermatologist and as he requested blood tests it transpired that I've had a premature menopause without realising, the only symptom I seemed to experience is further hair loss over the past 2 years.

I was started on hrt almost 3 months ago to see if it would help with my hair loss but I fear it's getting worse rather than better.

At first I was on provera 10mg and estradot 25mcg. As I get migraines and there is heart disease in the family i couldn't have the oral tablet femoston as apparently I'm too high risk for stroke and clots.

Unfortunately I got really bad joint pain and ankle swelling on the provera so I was switched to Utrogestan after 3 weeks. Now my hair seems to be falling out even more. Apparently Utrogestan is supposed to be less Androgenic than Provera but I'm finding it is making things worse. I've read that medroxyprogesterone is beneficial for hair loss which is what is in Provera I understand.

Has anyone experienced hair loss from Utrogestan? I know it is the bioidentical one and is meant to be more natural but it is definitely causing me further hair loss.


Has anyone experienced joint pain from Provera and did it subside after a while? I'm not sure if there is anything else that is an alternative to Provera.

To add to the pile I suffer from kidney stones and am classified as a recurrent stone producer as I get them every 18 months or so  ::) and have just recently been diagnosed as having high blood pressure last reading 167/105 so apparently I need to go on meds.

I'm really hoping one of you knowledgeable ladies can shed some light on my woes.

Thank you so much.




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CLKD

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #1 on: April 22, 2016, 07:13:34 PM »

 :welcomemm:

DO NOT take BP medication until you have bought a machine for home use as many people have White Coat Syndrome which your GP should be aware of.  He/she should have advised you to do your BP every morning B4 eating for 4-6 weeks to see if it's within normal limits at home.

Also: what does the Dermatologist suggest is pre-mature menopause?  Maybe have a look-see at the Daisy web-site too, because meno symptoms can begin at practically any age  ::)

Browse round, make notes - ask away, I haven't taken HRT so can't help with that query.
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Lil Lynn

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #2 on: April 22, 2016, 07:26:44 PM »

Thanks for your reply, I'm afraid I've had a 24 hour monitor for the blood pressure and confirmed hypertension stage 1. Unfortunately yes I do also have the White coat syndrome too so it is even higher than usual. I need shock wave treatment on the stones which raises your bp during the process so the Urologist has said he won't do treatment until I'm on bp meds as it is above bottom level 100 at time of procedure.

Back to the menopause and hrt the blood results proved I'd been through the menopause about 2 years ago, the dermatologist spotted this and a recent womb scan confirmed this. They only call it premature because I'm classed as young to have finished.

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CLKD

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #3 on: April 22, 2016, 07:44:44 PM »

Thanks for the Xplanation.  How often do you require shock wave treatment?  Does it make you feel bruised after?
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Lil Lynn

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2016, 08:06:58 PM »

It's a bit hit and miss, pardon the pun but I had 3 sessions last year they thought they had broken them down enough to pass but 7 months later they still there and growing. It's not too bad really a bit sore afterwards but better trying that than to have another op under GA.
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Lil Lynn

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #5 on: April 23, 2016, 08:31:54 AM »

Hi Stellajane

Thanks for your reply, you've just given me some hope that someone understands what I'm going through.

I take 100mg Utrogestan daily. Can I ask are you in the UK or in the US? I have seen an Nhs hrt specialist and she is very helpful and understanding but was reluctant to let me have hrt as I'm on it only for hair loss. She didn't mention the possibility of taking it one month on one month off but talked about needing it to prevent womb cancer. That is why I am on a low dose of 25 micro grams I think is the dose of Estradot.

I was on Provera from 4 Feb until 1 Mar and I think my hair was starting to improve but I then had joint pains and extreme swelling in my ankles. I then started on Uterogestan and think the hair loss started about 2-3 weeks if being on it. I've been on Uterogestan for 7 weeks now and as I thought it was the least Androgenic wasn't expecting hair loss but think I started to notice it 4 weeks ago.

Are you under a private gynaecologist or how did you great them to agree to your on off cycle?

Thanks for your help.
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Lil Lynn

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #6 on: April 23, 2016, 04:36:11 PM »

Thanks Stellajane, I'm hoping I will get put on the 50mcg patch and hopefully the hair doctor can guide me on whether he thinks I should stay on the Utro but perhaps vaginally instead or go back to the Provera, but Provera really was awful and I'm thinking perhaps too strong a dose too.

I think your right the low dose of the patch is too do with my blood pressure, also being overweight and history of migraines. I really need to get my weight sorted.

Because of the kidney stones I'm being told that I need to go on blood pressure meds anyway so hopefully the hrt doc will be prepared to up the dose if she is happy with the bp being controlled. I was afraid to go on bp meds as that too can cause hair loss but I've got no choice now.

Do you too suffer from female pattern hair loss or is your hair loss meno related?
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Lil Lynn

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Re: Androgenic Hair Loss and HRT
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2016, 11:07:04 AM »

Thanks, yes I really do need to get my weight under control. I'm ashamed to say I'm at least 2 stone overweight. I gave up smoking 10 years ago put loads on and just never got it off. I was hoping to lose to get the bp down but the docs are wanting me to go on the bp meds now so will have to see. I've heard once your in them it's very difficult to get off.
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