Utrogestan & Oestrogel - anyone have massive hairloss few months in?

[Ella15]

Wise mumsnetters, have you used this HRT combo and experienced really noticeable hair shedding? Did it calm down? Did you change meds? I started Utrogestan - 200mg per eve for 12 days of cycle, 2 pumps of Oestrogel every night- in early Sept and from late Nov, my hair has been coming out by the handful. My diet hasn't changed, I am prone to low iron levels but take supplements every day as standard to keep topped up so I can only link this crazy shedding to my starting HRT. Could I have an intolerance to the progesterone? I'm not feeling amazing on this combo but they've definitely helped the brain fog & sleep so I'd be reluctant to give them up especially if this hairloss is just an initial reaction to an increase in hormones being introduced into my system and it'll likely settle. But if it means I'll have no hair by the summer I should prob be thinking of coming off sooner rather than later. All related experiences and thoughts very welcome

Hmm! Utrogestan is one of the types that should cause less hair loss. The other types are more 'male' types (yes I know that sounds weird but they are classed as 'androgenic' meaning they are more testosterone-based and testosterone in men often = baldness.)

You could try swapping to Femoston. It's a tablet and the progestin is similar but not the same as Utrogestan (and considered one of the safer types) Worth a go?

Thanks very much @JinglingHellsBells for taking the time to respond. I know! It's a strange one, I didn't expect hair loss with Utrogestan. What I really liked about this combo is that it's body identical although see that the oestrogen in Femoston is too. A quick online search shows some hairloss horror stories on Femoston too but I'm going to try to talk to my GP tomorrow about swapping. As you say, worth a go and the alternative is really to stop all together.
Do you know if I can swap straight over? So say, finish my current regimen at the end of current cycle and start on Femoston the next day or should you allow a gap?

A Covid infection (and occasionally the vaccine) can also cause hair loss.

It may not be HRT.

Hi Ella15, I am too taking Ustrogen and oestrogel and have been since January, my hair started thinning 2 weeks into oestrogel and I found lots in my shower, it’s dry, frizzy, thinner, my scalp stings and the hairs get shorter. I told my doctor and was told to wait 3 months to see if my body adjusts, she said it’s not a side effect of Oestrogel, I read on the leaflet that it is. I take Oestrogel 2 pumps for 2 weeks then 2 weeks of 200mg Ustrogen. My scalp stings and hair thins. I always had a slightly receding hair line, my hair condition was lovely before HRT, wavy and bouncy, I took HRT for palpitations, it’s helped. I’m 49. The hair thinning is getting me down. Did you try Femosten and did it help? The nurse is going to call me in a few days for a chat. All my bloods are normal so I no I’m not deficient in anything. Thank you for any help Xxx

I have been on oestrogel and progesterone tablet for about 6 months last few weeks lots of hair shedding noticing hair on clothes on floor never happened before scary

I've just re-started this after starting then stopping due to high blood pressure. I have been getting an itchy scalp and hair loss but I'm sure that it's down to peri as I had it before the hrt. It's too soon to say whether itd

Posted too soon! It's too soon to tell if its working

Hair loss..

yes I’m experiencing hair loss. Continuous loss after changing from Femoston to gel and progesterone.
im convinced it’s the progesterone.
it’s been going on for 12 months. All blood tests are normal.

im going private to see dermatologist but don’t think they’ll pick up anything that scalp related.
I’ve also got a 30 consultation with a professional hair clinic. Free advise and initial consultation but of course could be expensive treatment.

as far as the HRT is concerned more GP is reluctant to put me back onto Femoston she’s rather I came off HRT altogether! I’m 58.

what I am doing is taking the progesterone vaginally now. Less impact overall and this method is approved by the menopause association so it’s safe and still effective.

I am using Oestrogel, with a Mirena, for the past 18 months, and my hair has got thicker and stronger, like it did when I was pregnant, so I assumed it was a positive side-effect of the gel! Maybe it's the Utrogestan component?