Does HRT make one's hair break/fall out?

[NotdeadyetBOING]

My hair has started doing this over the past few months and have just realised (with horror) that the timing coincides with when I started taking HRT. Someone mentioned that it can be a side effect. I had assumed that taking HRT with all its lovely oestrogen would mean the opposite .

Can anyone shed some light? Maybe there are some varieties of HRT that have that side effect and others that don't?

[dementedma]

Am on Prempak here and no problems. Hair was falling out before I took it and has stopped doing it now so opposite here.

[NotdeadyetBOING]

I am on Elleste Duet. Maybe I should switch…. Must get appt with GP in NY.

[PollyPerky]

You are right that HRT should help. It MAY be a coincidence; hair has a life cycle ( a year I think) and any hair loss now might be related to the state of your hair pre HRT, if that makes sense. If you have only been on HRT for a short time then I'd say it was unlikely to be the cause.

However- big but- some types of progestogen can have a side effect of hair loss. Norethisterone (in Elleste) is what they call an androgenic type of progestogen so in theory it could affect you in a 'male' way- ie hairloss (like male pattern baldness.)

If it carries on then perhaps go back and ask to change to something else- I think lots of women like Femoston .

[Whatevva]

I would try Femeston instead. Low iron may also contribute to hair loss.

[JaneJune]

NotdeadyetBOING - I was wondering how are things with you now? I have been facing extreme hair loss and itchy/burning scalp that I attributed to stress (I moved to the UK for a 2 year job assignment 7 months ago and my symptoms started at that time).

But I also have some peri-menopausal symptoms. The only reason I would consider HRT is to improve my hair loss. I am very curious to know about your experience. Thank you!

[Cherry12]

Hello, I’m 50 now and have being losing hair for 5 yrs, the hair growth at the top has reduced, however had grown a little over that last 12 monthes , I started to take Femoston 3 weeks ago, and have had horrendous shedding over the last few days, not sure whether it’s my body getting used to it, or it’s not going to suit me, I also have low ferretin levels ,
Has anyone found the shedding reduced once they were used to the HRT
Thanks

[Bellaciao]

Femoston contains the synthetic progestogen dydrogesterone which is very closely related to progesterone - the hormone produced in our bodies. It is therefore the least androgenic of the synthetic progestogens. It is usually the androgenic ones (derived from testosterone) such as levonorgestrel and norethisterone which can be the cause of hair loss. However from what I gather some women report hair loss on any progesterone???

I would have thought that low ferritin is the most likely cause in your case since this has already been identified? Adding oestrogen often gives hair a more luxuriant character!

Also I presume you've had thyroid functon checked as malfunctioning thyroid can also cause hair loss?

[Cherry12]

Thankyou for your reply, think I’m going to see GP and hopefully get bloods checked , the decide

[Cherry12]

My iron levels are normal in the 40’s, I’m the 3rd month into femiston , I seem to get a burning scalp on some days, but still experiencing shedding more than usual, I’m hoping my body gets used to the horrmones and settles down , makes me feel so low!