Hrt that does NOT have hair loss as a side effect

[comberbird]

Hi all seeing endocrinologist and gynae tomorrow after nearly three years of hair loss which I suspect is Mirena related as all other causes have been ruled out by blood test and no history of genetic hair loss. Started coil due to super heavy periods but frankly would rather have those than be bald! Currently using half a 25mg evorel patch which has lowered anxiety, help sleep joint pain etc. But evorel apparently also isn’t hair friendly. Pls can you recommend types of both progesterone and oestrogen that do not have hair loss as an official side effect. Am 46 and also have had undiagnosed pcos until I went for fertility treatment.

I am no expert, but my hair has never been thicker. Eyebrows ncluded.

I am on the gel and 10 days a month progesterone (vaginally) I get it OTC in spain, I am very lucky.

I was in full menopause at 46. 50 now.

Good luck. Hope someone more knowledgeable comes along, this is just my personal experience x

I'd like to know this too OP

I don’t know about the hrt variations

But my hair loss was related to low iron, not enough protein and b12 after switching to a veggie diet. When I massively upped them all it got a lot better. Have you looked at all that too? For a 5-6 woman it’s about 70g protein a day if fairly active.

The OP has had all relevant tests as she said in her OP.

I believe you should ask to try the gel body identical gel, see what they say.

oestrogel and progesterone. Apparently it is the best option atm for many women.

My hair hasn’t been affected by HRT or, if it has, for the better. I have the Mirena and use the gel.

@BillieSpain

The OP has had all relevant tests as she said in her OP.

I believe you should ask to try the gel body identical gel, see what they say.

A test for protein?

Unlikely it's protein, but sure, try a test for protein. I think OP was asking for opinions on HRT having ruled everything else out. I was answering that

It's quite hard to be low on protein (speaking as a lide long veggie myself)

I’m an advocate of hrt and not minimising the huge value of that.

Actually veggie/vegan women with heavy periods can have real problems with protein and iron. If you really add up what you are eating it can be lower than expected. I’m not saying rush out and buy a steak but OP it’s worth writing down exactly what protein you eat for a few days.

For example porridge, beans on toast for lunch and salmon and veg for dinner, with nuts and fruit for snacks would be about 40-50g a day. Not loads for an active woman of av height.

But yes also hrt!

Maisie Hills peri meno power has a chapter on food and says a lot about protein inc recommending 3 eggs for breakfast. Def worth reading up on. Plus hrt!

While HRT normally has the opposite effect on hair, oral HRT can have a negative affect on liver health. I think that’s worth investigating. If your liver’s not functioning optimally, your hair isn’t going to be great as you won’t be metabolizing anything well. You need a liver function test, and a kidney function test. I also think you need both thyroid function tests, full blood count and iron studies.

Yes, newgirls, absolutely, but she was asking about experience of types of HRT that do not cause hairloss.

A few of us have recommended oestrogel. As it has not caused hairloss, the opposite.

@BillieSpain

Yes, newgirls, absolutely, but she was asking about experience of types of HRT that do not cause hairloss.

A few of us have recommended oestrogel. As it has not caused hairloss, the opposite.

It’s because she is taking hrt and still has hair loss. Hrt usually helps. So something else is going on too. Op might be fine for protein but it’s worth pointing out as many women don’t realise.

all other causes have been ruled out by blood test

Pcos isn’t cured with menopause and can cause hair loss if it’s getting worse. Suggest you speak to a specialist - you may need metformin. Presume you’ve been tested for diabetes already? When you have pcos even being pre-diabetic can cause hair loss.

She is asking for experience of HRT that does NOT cause hairloss.

Have a great day.

Bit confused OP. Evorel is either continuous with both hormones or just estrogen (plus a progesterone separately) as far as I know.

What were you on?
Using half a 25mg patch is a tiny dose- any reason why you are on such a low dose especially as you are young?

My guess is you need more estrogen- it's the same type in ALL HRT except those starting with Pre (Premarin and Prempak.)

So you just have the Mirena, no oestrogen supplement at present OP?

If that is the case, then you need oestrogen. Like other posters, I'm on Mirena and Oestrogel. Before I started on Oestrogel I had many peri-menopausal symptoms, inc. hair loss. Since starting on Oestrogel my hair has gone back to 'normal'. I suspect your hair loss is down to lack of oestrogen, not the presence of the Mirena coil.

Sorry - just re-read your OP and see you're on the Evorel patch. I would try another form of Oestrogen if that isn't working for you. Try the gel instead.

Three eggs for breakfast sounds like an awful lot. Two fill me up entirely in an omelette.
Hair loss is an ageing thing, and there’s more to ageing than changing levels of sex hormones.

Have no idea about HRT but my symptoms of PCOS are worsened by estrogen levels. My skin gets considerably worse when I am ovulating.
Six months on Depo-provera and my skin is the best it's been in years and I am much less hairy.

I would also be asking questions about your scalp - is it itchy?

• has anything changed with your hair?
• has it become greasy/dry?
• have you developed sensitivities where you had none before?

I am asking because I ended up going to a specialist dermatologist and having two scalp biopsies and taking two week’s worth of daily hair fall collected from my brush, bed, shower, floor and clothing for counting and looking at the roots to asses at what time in the cycle my hair was falling out. It turns out that I have androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium. I am now taking spironolactone and minoxidil. Prior to this, my hair had changed over the previous couple of years from dry to greasy and very sensitive. I didn’t have dandruff, but it was itchy and sore from scratching, which didn’t help. The medication has helped a lot, but it’s not thick and luxurious. At least you can’t see the bald spots now!

@BillieSpain

all other causes have been ruled out by blood test

I can red billie. I don’t think GPs do protein tests. If op is ok then great.

PCOS causes hair loss by itself with or without menopause - I had it from 9 - 35 until treatment fixed it. it really helps to reduce carbs to under 50g and to just focus on green / coloured fruit and veg and protein with healthy fats / veg over grains. A lot of doctors in the UK don’t understand pcos anyway and think it’s cured at menopause but it isn’t - if anything it can get worse.