Hair loss with HRT; so disappointed and upset.

[BigbreastsBiggerbeard]

I've been taking Femoston for a few weeks now and although overall I've felt quite reasonable on it, I made the decision to stop it yesterday as the hair loss is now becoming quite frightening.

To say I'm disappointed is an understatement.

My scalp is now visible in places and I just couldn't carry on as at this rate there'd be little left by next year!

Has anyone else noticed this side effect with HRT? Can anyone recommend a HRT that won't cause this effect? I was under the impression that Femoston was one of the better ones for not losing hair.

I'd love to hear any experiences anyone can share, if, for example, your hair started to shed but then grew back all luscious and swingy like in the ads??

[BigbreastsBiggerbeard]

Just remembered the other question I had: Is there any harm in stopping HRT suddenly? I remember the GP said this wouldn't be a problem, but does anyone know anything about this?

[WendyCope]

My hair got so much thicker on HRT. Do you think you gave it long enough?

[Discoisabelle]

I answered a thread a few days ago regarding Femoston and hair loss, first of all it is one of the HRT pills that doesnt list hair loss in the side effects, many other hrt preparations do by the way, also have you checked your iron/biotin levels, i am sure it was my problem. I was in the same situation, i started Femoston 2/10mg last year and realised after maybe 3 months my hair was shedding really fast, completely panicked, saw menopause lady who ordered a few tests, my iron levels were so low with Vitamin D almost non existant (bear in mind i eat liver regularly with iron supplement AND i live in the countrySide, walk my dogs every day, garden for hours with bare arms so you'd think i'd get enough vit D !), anyway i started iron supplement 3 times a day with Vit D and within 2 months my hair was growing back quite fast, fast forward 1 year i have now thick glossy hair, i keep going to the hairdresser because it grows very thick and i have never had hair like that before hrt, i want to reasure you about hrt because it has got bad press still, Femoston is one of the best progesterone you can get too, do not give up ! I genuinely believe hrt doesnt make you bald, Unfortunately you might be pre-disposed to female hair loss during menopause like many ladies experience during menopause and it is not nice, not many things seem to work, but a good short hair cut does wonders, also i heard a lot about cafeine shampoo stimulate hair follicules, worth trying, i wish you all the best .

[Discoisabelle]

As for stopping hrt sudenly i am not sure it is a good idea, i have been advised and read many articles about weaning yourself off gradually to avoid big resurgence of symptoms, if you stop suddenly you will starve your body of oestrogens and you might experience 'cold turkey' symptoms, so i guess it makes sense to space out tablets for a month before stopping eventually.

[Emerald13]

I noticed that my hair is thinner than before and I also have hair loss but I don’t think that it is due to hrt.
I am on Femoston too. I tried 2 other types of hrt but without any difference concerning my hair.
Our body will finally adjust to our new hotmonal state and things will be better!

[BigbreastsBiggerbeard]

Thanks for your replies, sorry it's taken so long to return to the thread.

Discoisabelle - I've just had my iron levels checked as low ferritin was the reason for my hair falling out several years ago! It's fine, way higher than it was that time, so don't believe it's that. Have started taking biotin supplements too. Perhaps, as you say, I'm predisposed to hair loss, as my mother also lost her hair. However, the fact that it only started falling out when I began to take the HRT was an obvious worry. My hair was fine to begin with so even just one month of excessive shedding made a significant difference.

I should have said that it's cyclical HRT, as I'm not yet menopausal (though at 49, can't be far off) don't know if that makes any difference.

I have an appointment next week with the GP who prescribed the Femoston and maybe she has some useful advice for me, though I must admit I'm not hopeful. I lost my hair when I was on the pill too, for all of two months! MY body clearly doesn't like it's hormones messing with!

[BigbreastsBiggerbeard]

WendyCope - I did wonder about that, but I was so scared! If I hung on and gave it another month or so, my scalp would be even more visible, and then there's the question of how long do I leave it? It was a really difficult decision, and having only, in the past year or so, got my hair stable after low iron levels, I was too anxious to leave it. I'll discuss it with the GP next week. I hate my body!