How to stop and maybe reverse hair thinning?? Does anything actually work?

[GlomOfNit]

I'm 53 and haven't had lush thick hair since my 30's. I'm well into perimenopause (on HRT for over 3 years) and I know hair can really start thinning at this stage onwards. But I think I've unwittingly helped it on its way by trialing testosterone gel alongside my conventional HRT (prescribed by an NHS clinic for low libido, which it hasn't really helped...). I've stopped taking this because it wasn't having the desired effect AND I was convinced I was losing more hair than usual. The clinician who prescribed it pointed out that women are prone to extra hair loss in autumn (after the summer 'rest period', I gather) but all the same ... it freaked me out. It seems to be thinning all over, especially at the crown, rather than at the hairline (which is what I was looking out for).

Anyway, is there anything at all I can do to encourage regrowth? Are collagen supplements at all worth it? I keep getting ads for Elavate collagen on my socials as the algorithm clearly knows how old I am! I have creaky joints and some arthritis too so maybe it IS worth a go. I also bought some Plantur shampoo (it's like Alpecin) but it's very drying on the scalp and dries the entire hair shaft too. I'm sort of alternating days with that. (I do wash daily, I'm trying to force myself to go every other day but I loathe the feeling of an unwashed scalp.) I'm also trying to let my hair, which is below shoulders, dry naturally, though as colder weather sets in this is less attractive!

Are there any other hair tricks or supplements I could be trying?

Dammit. A quick google tells me that Saw Palmetto is through to interfere with the oestrogen part of HRT and it's not a great idea to take with HRT. I think pumpkin seed oil is has very low levels of phytoestrogen (so maybe alongside HRT that might be too much oestrogen, or at least an overall oestrogen dose that's impossible to measure?). I KNOW if I run this past my GP she'll say, just don't. (since hair loss won't kill me, and the GPs at my practice are very wary of alternative supplements. I mean, I do understand why.)

Bloods - I know low ferritin can cause hair loss and thyroid issues too. The community gynae GP said to request a blood test for that in a couple of months if it's not resolved. All I can say is, at various points in the last few years I've had loads of full bloods done and my thyroid has never been an issue and I've never shown any anaemia. I think I'll consider this before shelling out for minoxidil though.

I use Amla hair oil but it's not suitable for all hair types. However if you have dark and more frizzy textured hair it's worth a go, I feel like it's helped me regain both growth and colour.

Doesn’t Minodoxil cause initial hair shedding

that’s off putting

Yes, you can. I started after HRT triggered it.

Not always. I didn’t get that.

I had a period of major shedding after Covid/ menopause and felt awful about my hair. Iron tablets helped for me and the shedding has stopped although I haven't regained all the thickness at least I'm not losing any more.

Just passing this on in case anyone's interested - there’s a note in today’s Guardan relating to the Sali Hughes article. A reader who was taking it responded to say that she's now stopped after discovering that Minoxidil is highly toxic to cats and dogs, so if you have pets, beware. It can quite easily transfer to them (if traces are on your hands, say, or on any bedding, pillows or blankets), and can be fatal.

If you don’t want to subscribe the Hair and Me due to cost you could buy minoxidil 5% liquid online much cheaper. A few online chemists also prescribe and supply minoxidil tablets if you want to go down the oral route. I didn’t want to risk side effects from oral minoxidil so just use the topical solution each night (from Amazon).

I take Hair and me with HRT. Its been fine

I just googled the 'cons' of Minoxidil and one of them is 'rapid weight gain'. This is my nightmare - I'd rather have slightly thin hair. Is this a common side effect?

This apparently applies to the foam/gel/topical treatment only - not the tablets.

@cheezncrackersfluid retention and possibly weight gain is only associated with the oral minoxidil. This is a screenshot from the BNF which is more reliable than google. If you are concerned just use the topical formulation.

Thanks @shopaholicanon I have to take the oral because I have a cat! Not sure I want to risk weight gain though 🙁

I offer microneedling for the scalp & hair filler. You can alternate it with scalp polynucleotides & it actually works really well. It stimulates collagen so helps to regenerate hair.

Minoxidil oral reversed my thinning hair but it’s awful for the first 2/3 months as you shed hair. Then you see serious regrowth. A year in and I’ve got thicker hair than I had even as a child. I’m late 50’s.

If you want to go down the minoxidil route just buy men's Regaine 5%. That's all Hair and Me will be selling you on their inflated monthly subscription.

Don't wait, just get a blood test for ferritin levels now.

No point messing about with chemicals and cosmetic ju ju if what you really have is low ferritin.
If your levels are lower than 80 or so, you won't have new hair growth.

@cheezncrackersI have a dog and use the topical without any problems. Once it’s on your scalp it dries fairly quickly. I think it’s really only an issue if the bottle dropped and your cat licked it up. If you apply in your locked bathroom then wash your hands afterwards I don’t see it being a problem. I don’t think it transfers to your pillow as your hair isn’t ‘dripping’ in it. You apply to your temples and parting so it doesn’t touch the pillow.

I haven’t had any weight gain but I’m on the lowest dosage. I wonder if the weight gain is more of a problem at the higher doses.

I’ve used rogaine topically and it was ok but the brand I got from Amazon really dried my scalp and made it itchy so I had to stop. I think it was Kirkland.
What brand are you using from Amazon? I’ve been really happy with the pills as so much more convenient but would be good to know in case I do start gaining weight and want to switch back.

Hair & Me is a pricey choice if you are using it long term. The cheaper prices rely on you passing on your referral codes and bringing in new customers. It's 5% minoxidil, which you can buy much cheaper anywhere else. Regaine foam is a good one, and around £45 for a 4 month supply

@AnewlifeintheCountryI use the Sons brand from Amazon. I apply at night and I don’t have any residue the next day so don’t need to wash my hair. I don’t find it itchy however I’ve also used Kirkland in the past and didn’t find that made my scalp itchy either. The Kirkland brand felt more oily though so I did have to wash my hair more frequently.

I used Hair & Me for several months and I definitely saw improvement in my hair volume but also found my body hair also increased!! 😵‍💫 so I stopped taking it. Did anyone else find this side effect?

Just as a side note OP, instead of the testosterone gel, have you asked your GP about vaginal oestrogen pessaries? Now they really DO give the desired effect!

That's fine, just passing it on in case it was helpful.