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[Minnie123]

I am 58 years old and have been experiencing menopausal symptoms for the last 8 years. I have managed so without taking HRT as I have been advised by my GP that is better to avoid taking it.  However recently my hairdresser noticed that my hair has thinned considerably.  I have had blood tests carried out for thyroid and iron deficiency and all tests have came back clear.  I am very distressed as my scalp is clearly visible on the parting and I am very worried that the loss will only get worse.  I saw my GP recently to discuss my concerns and ask if there was anything further medically which could be done or if I should see a specialist.  I was told that my hair thinning is due to the menopause.  I advised that I have started taking a supplement Perfectil Plus for hair support, and am using a shampoo which thickens the hair and product which I massage into my scalp which claims to reduce the rate of hair loss  and make hair feel thicker.  My GP said that none of this would work and basically just my age and need to accept this.  I am very concerned and wondered if anyone had experienced hairloss such as I have described and if so what have they done to address the situation  thanks

[Annie0710]

Yes Minnie I am so n the same boat but I've been on hrt for 18 years now and I'm 50 next month, my hair thinning started 13 months ago (that I noticed) and it devastates me

I've spent ££££'s on things to thicken it with no success, I tried rogaine with no improvement and asked a derm I saw about finasteride, she said there's too many side effects

I use Nanogen hair fibres, they hide the visible scalp but I'm really struggling, I'm looking online at clip in hair toppers as I really need one less thing to worry about

I really understand how you are feeling

Menopause has taken so much from me, both emotionally and physically

Annie x

[CLKD]

Change your GP! send his details to Dr Currie on here!!!

Make an appt. with a good hair salon.  Ring round and see which in your area are au-fait with menopause problems.

I posted on here about a hairdresser who is interested in good wigs (can't remember who at this moment) so it might be worth looking at his web-site ……

Maybe speak with the Practice Nurse at your Surgery?  Or check to see whether there is a menopause clinic within travelling distance.

Someone will be along with more advice I'm sure, we have a few threads about hair and nail problems on here.

[riverrunsfree]

HI Minnie,

I have the same issue and I believe you need a GP who will take this seriously.IT is fundamental to our confidence, There WILL be things we can all do. If it is suitable and you are postmeno then oestrogen will likely reactivate the follicles that have become dormant because of years without it. You CAN and will regrow hair. If you have the money explore the Phillip Kingsley hair clinic in Green Street. I'd go there but dont have money at the moment. That combined with oestrogen may turn things around for you. Also explore L lysine. Much love to you. xxx

[Ms Saucy]

Hi there.
Firstly I'm sending you my hugs.
I too had hair thinning earlier in peri Menopause. I count myself lucky as my hair before that was very thick, you can see my scalp at my parting in my now grey hair. In terms of hrt ......jog on with that Gp and find a better more clued up one honey xxx

[Iris67]

Hi - can I make a suggestion? Have a look at your iron results - and make sure they test you for ferritin. If they have, look at the result...I think the 'normal' bracket is 14 - 150 so if you're on, say 20 you're iron is low in hair loss terms. I have read that you need 40-50 to stop the hair loss and 70+ to re-grow your hair. Your normal result just means that you are not anaemic.

I have had hair loss problems since I was 40 

[Annie0710]

Hi girls,

My hair began to get thinner gradually 6 years ago at 44 when perimenopause began. Hair loss is now evident, 1/3 gone! My GP said that this was a hypothyroidism effect but my blood tests always came within the normal range and she insisted that the normal range is not normal for perimenopausal women... I decided not to take thyroid hormones since I was advised by other doctors (endocrinologists) not to take them, very confusing! My ferritin, iron, vit B12 and D3 all within normal range. I'm veggie, so I thought that maybe my protein intake was the culprit, but now that I see that many of you (who I'm supposing are meat eaters) have the same issue, I'm guessing, if this is just estrogen/progesterone imbalance, why HRT did not fix it for Annie0710 after 18 yaars?

I've only been on oestrogen Menomale all these years

So really my hormones are unbalanced

Annie x

[CLKD]

Annie - R they un-balanced 

[Annie0710]

Annie - R they un-balanced 

I belong to a hysterectomy forum where many many women have either had ovaries removed or have gone into natural menopause, some of them have a mixture of hrt to 'balance' hormones

Menopause is a lowering of all hormones isn't it ? If I'm increasing oestrogen and nothing else isn't that an imbalance ?

Annie x

[CLKD]

Depends on how your other hormones are working  - are they ever truly 'balanced'? 

[Annie0710]

Hi Annie,

I see what you mean, sorry, I didn't pay attention that you have been taking estrogen only. This is other thing I don't understand in HRT: why are only women with uterus supposed to take progesterone? I understand that progesterone role is just to avoid thickening of the endometrium but what about its other effects as a neurosteroid? The Canadian Cemcor is recruiting women to test only progesterone HRT since they think many women can benefit from it for hot flushes and night sweats.

Exactly Menomale !
Women with a uterus need it with hrt to stop the thickening but after hysterectomy you don't (as there's no womb) but if you had endometriosis you do need it in case there are bits left

We are all different, I felt absolutely fine when I trialled progesterone orally, quite chilled and I slept better than I had for years

But I doubt I'd ever get prescribed it because I don't have a uterus

Annie x

[Minnie123]

Is it possible to get oestrogen from any source other than HRT.  Advice I have received is that to start HRT at 58 isn't advisable as I would need to come off it at 60 and then my symptoms would return so if there was any other way of taking oestrogen I would love to know 

[Minnie123]

Is it possible to get oestrogen from any source other than HRT.  Advice I have received is that to start HRT at 58 isn't advisable as I would need to come off it at 60 and then my symptoms would return so if there was any other way of taking oestrogen I would love to know 

[Annie0710]

Minnie I saw a Nhs gynaecologist last year and he said I can stay on hrt for life, it's my call, my body and my decisions

Annie x

[Dana]

Is it possible to get oestrogen from any source other than HRT.  Advice I have received is that to start HRT at 58 isn't advisable as I would need to come off it at 60 and then my symptoms would return so if there was any other way of taking oestrogen I would love to know 

I'm afraid you've been getting a lot of bad, and very out of date, information about HRT. There is no longer any need to come off HRT at 60. There are many benefits to staying on HRT long term.