Hair loss

[HenryCavillsWife]

I'm in surgical menopause and I take 2mg Sandrena gel and a pea-sized blob of testosterone every day. I generally feel OK but I'm sure my hair is thinning out.

Have you found anything that works? I am thinking of trying saw palmetto as apparently that can stop hair loss caused by androgen dominance?

Has anyone tried that?

Thank you!

Hi Op
I’ve also been losing my hair due to trauma and peri-menopause. Not just my hair but my eyebrows and eyelashes, too. 😢

I would advise you to see a dermatologist or trichologist for a diagnosis before you start taking anything for the hair loss.

Minoxidil is said to work. If you prefer to try something natural, then there’s also castor oil.

Do you take any vitamins and minerals specifically for hair loss, like Viviscal?

I took iron and lysine as my iron levels were low. I’m currently taking Silica (biotin and zinc) and have increased my protein intake. These did help, but I am still losing hair.

I really didn’t want to take minoxidil, but I’m coming round to the idea now and will probably start using it soon.

Hi @HenryCavillsWife
Try eating seeds and nuts, almonds, cashew nuts, walnuts, really helps. My midwife said she only ever washes her hair once a week which helps and also, try applying shampoo to dry hair then wash out with water xx

@HenryCavillsWife
I also take an iron supplement xx

Hello! Thanks for your post. I'd take minoxidil but I think your hair falls out if you stop using it? Have I got that completely wrong? I don't like the idea of starting something I can't stop.

I think a trichologist is a good idea.

I took Viviscal when I was perimenopausal and it was good, but it's SO expensive. It didn't work as well as Florisene, so I think I'll start taking those again (I've still got some) and see how I get on. It's mainly iron, vitamin B12, Biotin and L-thingy. I've been tired recently so I might just need an iron boost.

The Florisene website has several good quiz/flowchart to tell you if the product might work for you. The most important questions are, is your hair loss unnoticeable yo other people, and is it all over your head or just the top and front?

If it's unnoticeable to other people AND all over your head, they say that's the type of hair loss that works with Florisene. If it's visible to others AND mainly on the top/front of your head, that's probably androgen-something hairless and you need a different treatment.

Mine is unnoticeable to other people but (I feel) mainly on the top of my head. 🤷‍♀️

I was told that if Minoxidil works for you, then you do have to keep taking it otherwise you will experience hair loss again, but that you might be able to reduce the dosage, maybe just using it a few times a week rather than daily.

I avoided it for so long, but now feel my hair loss is progressing and very noticeable, so I’m either going to start with the minoxidil or try castor oil for a few months first. There have been some positive studies re castor oil and hair growth.

A trichologist or dermatologist will be able to tell you what type of hair loss you have, and which treatments would be best for that condition. (Your GP can write a referral.). I have telogen effluvium (shedding all over) as well as androgenetic alopecia (female pattern hair loss). As I understand it, if you have telogen effluvium, your hair can/will generally grow back in time.

Both my dermatologist and trichologist said not to avoid washing your hair as it won’t aggravate the condition/cause more shedding. Any hair that falls out in the shower was going to fall
out anyway. I use a DHT blocking shampoo (but I don’t think it helps tbh!), but previously always used a gentle, organic shampoo.

Have just seen this message.

Having tried various things I am finally going to try out a laser cap - expensive, but my husband will use it too. There is scientific evidence for it, and I am really very worried at this point.

Good luck to everyone with anything you try. x