Comments on: Can progesterone cause hair loss?

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:09:44 +0000

For 15 years I have been having heavy bleeding with my periods. So bad in fact that at times I can not leave my house. 3 years ago my doctor gave me a couple rounds of progestin and then a D&C, to tell you the truth nothing worked to stop the monthly floods, but the progestin made my hair start falling out. I brought this up to the doctor attention and he told me that was not possible, and just brushed me off. But I know my body and it is the only thing that changed in that time period, and I don’t take any other medications of any type. My hair continued to fall out for months afterwards to a point that I was becoming very worried. It did eventually stop falling out but it seems that I lost the hair follicles because although I stopped losing it, it hasn’t grown back. So at 54, I still get a flooding period every month (haven’t missed one yet) and now have thin hair……getting old really is not for wimps

By: Linda

Linda — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:17:49 +0000

I have experienced a similar problem to other ladies. After reading about the wonders of progesterone cream and its claim to be the answer to menopause symptoms, I tried it for around 6 months. During that time, I experienced diffuse thinning and shedding of my hair. Despite stopping the cream 12 months ago, I still believe that my system has yet to fully clear itself of progesterone’s effects. At 48, my blood tests showed that my oestrogen levels were very low so I have now transferred to using an estrogen patch (estradot) with natural progesterone (utrogestan) added for 12 days each month. I also use Spironolactone which has stopped the shedding; however my hair continues to miniaturise and now looks very thin and sparse. I know that progesterone is required to protect the uterus from endometrial cancer but right now I am tempted to try estrogen on its own for a couple of months just to see if this makes a difference. Oestrogen supplementation offers protection from osteoporosis and I believe is necessary for some women during the menopausal years, especially those of us who are slim and have little body fat. There is so much conflicting information on the net but hormones are individually fine-tuned and you mess with them at your peril. I know how hard hair loss can be. It does help to know that you are not alone.

By: Tina

Tina — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 19:43:17 +0000

Suzie,
I came across your post and wanted to know if you ever found an answer? I am in the same situation and found another forum and a woman told me to take more Progesterone cream! 100/200mg a day!! I am scared to take more, I was depressed..foggy thinking, and have major hairloss now!

By: Delilah

Delilah — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:05:03 +0000

P.S. I took those “so called” medications (both T3 and T4) for hypothyroid and my hair fell out in CLUMPS. It can exaserbate hair loss as hair loss is a HUGE side effect of Synthroid and all the other thyroid medications. Some people just cannot tolerate the medication. Why? Because they don’t need it.

By: Delilah

Delilah — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:03:25 +0000

I disagree with the previous posters. I have had a high TSH (gone to 5 endo docs) and I never shed at all – I had a thick, full head of hair (this is with a high TSH and a slow thyroid). Though it can be a symptom of hypothyroid……….it’s wayyy too general. In my case, it is NOT a thyroid problem. I have had no less than 40 tests (every blood work imaginable over the past year and a half). Its not thyroid related. It’s annoying when people jump on the thyroid band wagon because of hair loss. Funny thing, I increased my estrogen and the shedding has subsided down to a minimum. So, I KNOW it is not thyroid related. And, for many – it can be hormone related.

By: Rena Graham

Rena Graham — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:19:38 +0000

i agree @Cheleblin, Thyroid hormones problem is one of the major cause of having hair loss among women. A decrease in thyroid hormones affects the delivery of oxygen and nutrients that enables your hair, nails and skin to grow. There are medications that can help restore a healthy thyroid function, and in effect answers hair loss problems.

By: Cheleblin

Cheleblin — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 02:01:01 +0000

Thyroid hormones “low, but in normal range” is VERY suspect. You have probably got low thyroid. Thyroid blood work is not always reliable.

By: Delilah

Delilah — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:19:03 +0000

There is so much information on the Internet saying that natural progesterone will stop hair loss because it blocks DHT, blah, blah, blah. That is not in call cases. If a woman has low estrogen (menopause), her hair will fall out too. It’s not just that the progesterone will restore the balance, because it won’t. It is not necessarily thyroid either. EVERYONE says that because it is a symptom of hypothyroidism. But not necessarily due to thyroid. I have had hair loss for 1 1/2 years. It is not a thyroid problem as my tests are a little low, but within normal range. It’s chronic telogen effluvium. There is no specific cause and may not end. It is what it is, though distressing. All the web sites that are on the band wagon for progesterone as their solution are wrong. It may help in some cases, but it is an over generalization and bad information. Balancing hormones has been a nightmare for me and the bioidentical “specialists” don’t know more than their weekend course taught them.

By: Kim

Kim — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 01:41:56 +0000

Has anyone ever used an IUD to help with perimenopause symptoms? That is what my obgyn is going to do with me and he says it does wonderful. I googled it and it seems to have great results and barely any side affects.

By: Angela Rowland

Angela Rowland — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 14:32:28 +0000

I am 48 and have suffered from hair loss for years. Last year my doctor told me my estrogen levels were high and progesterone low so he put me on progesterone and a tiny bit of testoterone. At first I felt fine and my hair loss slowed down a bit and seemed to be filling in again then after about 5 months my period started shifting, I was constantly cramping and the mood swings were awful. I have consulted with 3 different doctors and cannot get a straight answer, they all have a different explanation as to whether I should be on HRT or not…how can this be? is there not a standard practice for evaluating hormone levels? Needless to say, I weaned myself off of the cream and my hair loss has accelerated again. I’m so sad and frustrated. Any thoughts out there on my situation? any doctors in the house that actually know how this works?