Hair loss and HRT

[HairReplacementTherapy]

I know HRT can't be prescribed specifically for hair loss but has it helped anyone with this issue?

I'm 50 and still have regular periods but a few fairly mild peri symptoms. The hair loss is getting me down the most though, my hair line and parting are looking quite sparse. I've tried the non prescription stuff - rosemary oil, gentle sulphate free shampoo and conditioner, washing a few times a week instead of every day - nothings helping.

I've also pondered trying minoxidil but reviews seem mixed.

Have your iron levels been checked. I was having this symptom and since I’ve been taking a gentle iron tablet my hair has less fall.

They haven't but I don't have any symptoms of low iron - I'm not particularly tired. It's worth thinking about that for sure though. Thanks

I wasn’t tired but my nails were snapping and for me it was breathlessness and palpitations also. I’m also taking biotin which hasn’t really had that much impact. Something like ukhair does work but it takes time and consistency. Hope you get something that works

HRT isn't licensed for hair loss, and NICE's menopause guideline (NG23) doesn't list it as a reason to prescribe, so what you'll hear is mostly individual experience. Some women say their hair improved on HRT and others saw no difference at all.

On minoxidil, the NHS hair loss page says it can be used for female pattern hair loss, but it doesn't work for everyone and only works for as long as you keep using it. That probably explains a lot of the mixed reviews.

Iron deficiency is on the NHS list of causes of temporary hair loss, so the iron check suggested above is a good idea. The NHS also says a GP can often tell what's causing hair loss just by looking, so you could ask about treatment options at the same appointment.

It does help but iron and b12 being low makes it fall out as well. I take supplements and the hair thing has got so much better incidentally I learned that low b12 can come first and contribute to low iron.

Thanks all. Sounds like the sensible thing would be to go to the GP in the first instance so I'll do that. I've picked up some b12 tablets as well, I'm sure it won't hurt to add them to the vitamins I'm taking.