Thinning hair, SO upsetting

[Whereismyjoiedevivre]

Despite taking HRT my hair is noticeably thinner than a few months ago and totally different in texture from a few years ago. I really notice it when I tie it back very loosely, there’s so much less in the ponytail 😭

Please can you wise women recommend a genuine product that stimulates new growth and stops the shedding? Should I go to the GP? I’m willing to spend some money on this but only if I can be confident that it’ll work.

Hopeful thanks.

I think Minoxidil is the only thing.

Folic acid is amazing for thickening hair

Try glowwa vitamins x

Wow products are really good. M&S stock them (or you can order online).

During lockdown I let the colour grow out no more dyeing. Didn't wash it as often. It thickened up again. I think my scalp became sensitive to the colourants.

Thanks - is this from the GP?

I’m wondering if I need to stop having foils done every couple of months. Thank you for this

Only if you are deficient. Minoxidil is the only thing that works.

The generally recommendation though OP is you should get checked by a dermatologist (which would probably have to be private) because there were loads and loads of reasons for hair loss. If there is general thinning and it's happened over time without any obvious shedding it is likely to be AGA which is age related hair loss that you should probably be checked for vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues etc, and you may need a biopsy, before making that assumption. A GP may do some basic blood tests for you but you will likely struggle to get a dermatologist referral for "just" hair loss.

How long have you been taking HRT? I ask because HRT was what caused my hair to fall out.

The minoxidil is available as Regaine. Boots, pharmacies, or online.

You buy minoxidil from various places. Have a google. Recommendation is to get the one for men as it's stronger and use once a day. The weaker one often doesn't work.

It takes many months to work, and you may get increase shedding for a period of time after starting which can be scary (the "dread shed"!). If the cause of your hair loss is AGA, you'll need to stay on minoxidil for as long as you want the hair as if you stop unfortunately the hair loss will go back to whatever your baseline was.

Topical minoxidil doesn't work for everyone, there is an option for oral minoxidil (which sometimes works when topical minoxidil doesn't) but you would have to get this prescribed by a dermatologist and there are potential side-effects from oral minoxidil that you should make sure you're aware of.

Be aware that minoxidil is highly highly toxic to cats so if you have any cats be very very careful when you apply it. Ensure that it's washed off your hands and they you haven't left drops of it anywhere around the bathroom and wear a cap if you're wearing it overnight.

You're welcome. I also let it air dry rather than blasting with the hairdryer.

Menopause for me kicked off a host of intolerances 😢

How do you know that it was caused by the HRT just out of interest? I’ve been taking it for about three years now more or less. I’ve noticed my hair thinning the past few months, more noticeably.

Just add, are you taking enough HRT? I noticed I was losing hair after I'd not long started HRT but I'd obviously been losing the hair for some time before I'd noticed that it was getting thinner, so I think the hair loss was caused by menopause. So I upped my HRT to 4 pumps and the hair loss has stopped. It's not getting any worse. Just about to start minox though as it as it doesn't look like the hair I've already lost is going to grow back on its own.

Thank you, I am going to look into this

So minoxidil is a liquid? I’m put off by the initial extra shed….

There’s a UK dermatologist who specialises in hair on Instagram - dermatologist_adel (Or something like that).

She has lots of informative posts on hair, hair health, hair loss etc.

It’s a liquid or a foam. I understand all minoxidil does is speed up the hair loss and growth cycle, so any hair you lose, you would have lost anyway. And not everyone gets the shed but you obviously need to prepare yourself for it in case it happens. If you are on Facebook join:

https://www.facebook.com/share/g/184v5K4XtK/?mibextid=K35XfP

Theres lots of helpful information and support from others going through the same thing.

Be careful on using it - I seen an article yesterday about the dangers it can pose to kidneys etc it was also making babies grow body hair when their parents were using if

sounds insane lol but it actually happened- wolf syndrome I think they said!

Minoxidil. I use the men's version as stronger. Its regaine 5% minoxidil foam, apply once per night to scalp. I buy the three pack on Amazon when on offer and each bottle lasts a couple of months. I only had hair loss at the front of my hair so I normally apply from my crown and down towards my ears. Basically sort your hair, apply a few drops of mouse and rub down your parting. I do it as part of my nighttime skincare routine and have dropped to 5 nights a week. Once you start you do have to keep up usage or you can lose any new hair but only takes me about 90 seconds to apply now.

Could you start taking a collagen supplement? It slowed my hair loss.

Have you had your iron levels checked? I found my hair thinning drastically at 45 and on testing iron was critically low. It’s been treated and I take a strong regular supplement now to help it not drop again. Hair is still not what it was but it’s many times better. Just another idea to try 😀

I do agree though, my confidence plummeted when I was losing so much hair 💐

Thanks everyone. I’m going to book a blood test to check iron levels.

@DangerQuakeRhinoSnake I’ve looked at collagen but am overwhelmed by the amount of choice and have no idea which brand is genuinely effective. I also wonder if it’s just the latest fad and next year it’ll be something else that we menopausal women need…

I think as we age, our hair can change texture. I started meno at 48 and I'm now 53. My hair is way thinner now than back then. No HRT and on cancer meds, so that's probably contributing.

What about these caffeine shampoos you can buy in Boots?

Just to say, OP I'm not menopausal yet so that's not why I'm taking it. It's good for all sorts, not just hair. I use the Ancient + Brave powder.

If you've been taking HRT for 3 years and the shedding is only recent, then it's unlikely to be the HRT (which is good!) HRT can really help some women's thinning hair, as well as all the other benefits.

In my case, it was just too much of a coincidence. Hair started shedding massively ten days into HRT and honestly, if I'd continued, I'd be bald by now! I stopped, and it took a few months to recover. I've also taken topical estrogen and estrogen for 'personal dryness' and in each case my hair has started to shed. I remember the same thing happened years ago when I went on the mini pill. It's as if my body hates dealing with extra hormones.

Getting a blood test is definitely the way forward, just to rule out deficiencies.