(female) i have finished chemo four weeks and i can see signs of hair growth. is it true that my hair may change colour and texture?
Many women with chemotherapy will have hair loss during the treatment, and the hair is pushed into its telogen cycle which usually lasts 3-8 months after the chemotherapy insult. When the hair comes back, it may not return to its full density, but the type of chemotherapy and the full recovery is poorly documented.
Hi Dr
My hair started shedding very badly 4 weeks ago. I shed 200-300 visible strands after a shower, and 5-6 strands every time I run my fingers gently through my hair. My scalp has also become very oily and scalp pimples have formed.The only change that has happened to my lifestyle in the last two months was the discontinuation of Diane 35 (after 10 years) just 2 weeks before I noticed the shedding. I have done all the necessary blood work two weeks ago. I am perfectly healthy, with the exception of a low LSH and low ferritin (at 27). I do not have a stressful lifestyle. Do you think the sudden massive shedding was triggered by the discontinuation of Diane 35? If yes, in your experience, how long will this last and will my hair grow back?
Big thanks in advance. Your advice will be very much appreciated.
Cheers!
I am not an expert on hormone manipulation, but by stopping the Diane 35 (cyproterone) you obviously have made a change and your scalp hair has been impacted in some way by the withdrawal of the birth control pills. The blood work needs to be presented to your gynecologist with the questions you asked. Hair transplant surgeons do not have the patient population with women taking hormonal therapy or birth control pills.
Bottom Line with hair loss and birth control pills?
I read conflicting information about the birth control pills and hair loss. It can trigger hair loss yet is also a treatment for androgenic alopecia.
I experienced heavy shedding after discontinuing Ovcon 35 several years ago. I became pregnant shortly after stopping the pill, and the hair loss ceased. I had moderate TE after all three of my subsequent pregnancies. I am now finished childbearing (at 32)and looking for contraception. My mother has severe androgenic alopecia and I’m quite sure I’m destined for the same fate.
So, for my case (there are no other known health problems in myself or my family) should I take BCP’s to prevent the alopecia? I was thinking of trying Yaz or Yasmin because of the drospironone that is derived from spironolactone and has anti-androgenic properties. But is it the estrogen or the progesterone in the pills that cause the hair loss? Should I stay away from BCP’s completely due to my history?
You should have this conversation with your OB/GYN doctor. I do not prescribe or recommend birth control pills (BCP) in my practice, but more importantly you should not be taking BCP for hair loss. All medications have risks and benefits and potential side effects. As such, these matters are highly specific to each and every individual.
I wish I can give you a blanket answer saying one birth control pill is better than the other at hair loss or hair growth, but I do not know of any firm proof of what is good/bad for what. From a theoretical perspective (as you seem to have done your research), spironolactone does have anti-androgenic properties. From a practical and real world perspective, spironolactone does not stop or help with androgenic alopecia, which is why I do not prescribe spironolactone for hair loss either.
Hello Dr,
I am writing to you today because I am desperate. I am a 26 yr old woman. For as long as I can remember i have had thin hair. It runs in my family. I had a baby oct 1st of 2007 and noticed that my hair started falling out more than usual a couple of months ago. I don’t know if it is because of giving birth or because i started using the birth control NUVARING. I believe one of the side effects is hair loss but i am not quite sure. I am going crzy because as days progress my hair keeps falling and i don’t know what to do. I have not taken anything because i don’t know what to take or what shampoos or treatments are good for you. I don’t have insurance and i don’t have a lot of money where I can afford a visit to a dermatologist or even a doctor. I have been doing research and I came across alopecia areata (i think) and I actually think i might sufffer from that or maybe it’s the childbirth or even the birth control or even a combnination of all! Please advice me in what i should do. Thank you so much
We have discussed the NuvaRing birth control causing hair loss (see NuvaRing and Hair Loss). I can not advise you on what you should with with your birth control treatment, because if I tell you to stop using something which may be the cause of your hair loss, I would be taking on the role of your doctor (which I am not). Alopecia areata is probably not what you have here, unless you have distinct bald spots. There is no substitute to seeing a good, caring doctor.
We are both in California and you indicated that you live about 50 miles from my office. I see women for hair loss, and still do this free of charge (I do not expect to charge for these visits at least for the remainder of the year). I’d be happy to examine your hair to see if it is alopecia areata, at the very least.
(female) I am 51 yrs. old. In the past 6 months I have lost 33 pounds in a healthy slow pace. In the last 3 months I have had alot of hair loss along with scalp itching. It has clogged my bath drain in 3 months and feels about 1/2 the thickness it use to. The weight loss, a new shampoo and conditioner and having my hair streaked with blond every month ( I have had it colored for years and streaked but only every 3 months rather than streaked every month. These are the only 3 new things that have happened. I have started taking sea kelp with no help for 2 months. I have had all the normal medical tests done to make sure there isn’t any health issue here. The results were all normal.
Weight loss can cause hair loss although the slow weight loss you had should not be a cause. You could perhaps have an allergy to something in your new shampoo or conditioner, or even a reaction to the chemicals used with your hair coloring. It’s difficult to tell for sure, so I’m just left to guess. Sea kelp probably has little value to you for regrowing your hair.
Hi
I searched your blog and read that it’s alright to wash my hair every day and washing gently does not increase hair loss. I’m in a hairloss support group for women and so many of us are afraid to wash our hair because we see so much shedding with each hair wash. It’s depressing and can really get to us.
Would you kindly explain why there is so much more visible shedding during hair wash and the gentle managing/drying of it after the wash?
Thanks in advance for your advice.
The washing action will bring out those hairs that would have probably fallen out on their own in the wind or when you do other things throughout the day. Washing will not bring out any more hair than the normal cycling would have brought out on their own.
(female)
I have been taking Guaifenesin and Pseudoephedrine (EntexPSE,Pseudovent400 etc.) daily for more than three years. I have noticed a drastic change in my hair’s texture and fullness. My hair has always been extremely thick and healthy. Recently, it has been thinning and now has the texture of brillo. I am definitely losing large amounts of hair, additionally, each hair seems thinner and more fragile and “wiry” but no bald spots. Could either of the components of my sinus medication be causing these disturbing symptoms?
I’ve read reports that guaifenesin can be associated with hair loss in some patients, though it is not listed in the official list of side effects. I am afraid I can not render you an opinion on your observations, but I suggest you see a dermatologist (or more importantly, your prescribing physician) for a proper evaluation.
Hello, Dr. Rassman, I am a 41 year old African-American female with extreme hair loss. My doctor said it was alopecia but I think it is male pattern baldness. All the hair on top of my head is completely gone. I started losing my hair in 1998 and now the hairs are completely gone. I do have hair on the sides and back of my head. It is very frustrating trying to hide this devasting secret. At times I am very depressed about my hair loss. I cannot go swimming, exercise in public and I have to wear wigs all the time. My question is with such extreme hair loss, is it possible that I could get my hair back. Is there any thing you could do to help me. I watched the episode of jon & kate + 8 and noticed his transplant was done free of charge. I am a full-time non-traditional student and at this point, I am not financially able to afford this procedure, however, I am willing to share my devastating story if you could help me. Thank you
I would have to examine you to understand what is happening. Genetic hair loss in women does take on a male pattern in about 15% of cases. If you have been using a wig, is it possible that the wig has caused more hair loss than you would have had if you never used it?
With regard to hair transplant work we do, we sometimes will do it for publicity (as in the case of the Jon & Kate Plus 8 show), or in special cases where children have lost their hair, or in people who have deformities with special needs and there is a financial problem for them. Each case is individually evaluated and although we do subsidize hair transplant work in some patients, it is more the exception than the rule.
I’m a resonably healthy 45 year old female. However, I recently had to have a hip replacement and took HGH for 4 months prior to the surgery hoping it would help the recovery process. I stopped taking it immediately after the surgery and I have noticed considerable hair loss. The texture of my hair is also much drier and generally terrible. Is this going to be permanent?
Is there something I can do to improve these problems – particularly the loss?Thank you
Human growth hormone (HGH) does cause hair loss and changes in hair texture. Discuss this with your physician, but I’d probably stop it and wait 8 months or so to see if you return to your normal state. If any of the readers have any experience here, I would love to hear from you at Balding Forum.
January 2008 my daughter and I went on a diet. By June 2008, I lost 40 lbs and she lost 30 Lbs. We went off our diets for the summer. Enjoyed the sun and baseball games, but both got minor sun burns on our heads. By July we noticed too much hair coming out in our brushes. Our heads are itchy and dry and it is now October and our hair continues to come out too fast. In the shower and on our combs and brushes we get balls of hair. We had blood work done, we are fine. We are going to see a dermatologist but they are booked up untill the spring. By that time, we could be bald. We were using pantene shampoe, and recently we are trying Infusium shampoe. I am 42 and she is 15. My husband and 12 year old son are fine. They also aren’t itchy and dry. We tried extra virgin olive oil more in our diet. We are taking salmon oil pills. We rubbed aloe vera on our heads and wash our hair every two days. I dont know what else to do. What could this be and what can we do, why are our heads dry and itchy and what can we use. We dont have dandruff or any other problems. Anything you can tell me would be really appreciated. Thank You.
Diet can cause hair loss and if you lost too much weight too fast, then that could be a problem. Caloric restriction in conjunction with a balanced diet is the way to losing weight and not losing your hair (assuming that you have this connection). Without examining you in detail, I can not offer you other advice here.
Hi,
I am 4 1/2 months pregnant and just recently noticed a bald spot on the back of my head. I have very thick and curly hair, so it’s not noticeable and I have no idea how long it’s been going on and whether or not it is even related to my pregnancy. I am just concerned because it’s rather large and I am not sure if it will get worse. I know it can be caused by stress as well. I didn’t realize I was this stressed out! If you could help lead me in the right direction as to what the cause may be, I’d greatly appreciate it.Thanks in advance.
Although pregnancy can impact hair growth as more hair goes into the resting phase of hair cycling, the presence of a bald spot probably indicates a cause other than pregnancy related hair loss. I suggest that you see a dermatologist. There is little I can do here through the internet.
Hi. I am a 36 yr old female. I have lost approx 60-70% of my hair in the past month. Scary. I had a kidney/liver and thryroid blood test done which came back normal. I am just so worried. Could this be a sign of cancer or something terrible. New hair is growing in a little, but I think I’ll have to shave my head. I understand the stress related hair fall and am not sure this could apply to me. Is it possible to have this reaction to a new shampoo? I have always used natural shampoos but have lately used a cheaper drugstore shampoo…any ideas?
Thank you in advance.
You need to see a dermatologist or hair doctor to make a diagnosis. Something is wrong and there is no substitute for a good doctor’s examination. Perhaps it is as simple as an allergy to an ingredient in the new shampoo? Perhaps it is something more. I couldn’t possibly determine that via the Internet.
You can learn more about possible causes of female hair loss here.
(female) if my hair loss has been caused by an iron deficiency, how long will it take to see some regrowth now that I have been taking iron supplements?
Nothing happens fast with respect to hair growth. If your hair loss was due to iron deficiency alone, I would give it about one year to see some growth. Unfortunately, more often than not, I find that hair loss is not completely reversible even after correcting the problem.
Hello, I am a 30 year old female. My father is bald but there is no other baldness in my family, and there is no female baldness at all. I have noticed in the last several months that my scalp is more visible in my part on my crown. I was on birth control for 14 years & just recently went off of it. I also started running 3-4 months ago as well as limiting my carb intake & have lost 12-15 pounds. I have also had a couple of health issues that turned out to be nothing major but still had me very stressed for a couple of months. Could any of these be a factor? I just started taking Biotin. I am considering going to the dermatologist but don’t want to seem like a hypochondriac.
I suppose everything is a factor to some degree (extreme stress, change in hormones, genetic, other health issues, etc).
If you are losing hair, there is no shame in being proactive and seeing a doctor for an opinion. Don’t worry, all doctors think that some of our patients are hypochondriacs to some degree. In fact, medical students are the worst hypochondriacs of them all. Good luck to you.
I am taking care of my mother-in-law and she has Dementia.She just started losing a lot of her hair.She has always had beautiful hair and hardly any gray. She is 86 years old and she is starting to bald on the back of her head from the hair loss. What can be causing this? Tons of it falls out when I wash it or brush it.
There is no direct connection between dementia and balding, but the stress of dementia may cause hair loss. This would be more common in women, since they are usually more impacted by stress hair loss than men. As women become older, the disappearance of the estrogen support that comes past menopause makes the hair more vulnerable to hair loss especially from the genetics, when it is present. We see this in women aged 50-60 years. Also, we are aware that hair has a number of cycles in an adult’s lifetime, so maybe she has reached it?
You should ask her doctor about her treatment, including any medications she is on that can cause hair loss.