Will Estrogen Help With Hair Loss

Sun Protection Is A Must

No matter what your skin challenges are, sunscreen is your friend. Slather it on every day, all year round. Sun protection can ward off signs of aging and prevent skin cancer.

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen thats SPF 30 or higher. Choose one you like so youll be more likely to apply it every morning. If youre going to be outside, reapply every two hours or after swimming, sweating or toweling off.

The suns rays age your skin and increase the risk of skin cancer, Dr. Williams says. Even in the winter, UV rays penetrate the clouds.

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy, also known as HRT, is a medical treatment most commonly used for the symptoms of menopause. During menopause, a womans body goes through various changes that are driven by changing hormone levels within the body. Some hormones increase while others decrease, leading to physical changes and various symptoms.

Many symptoms associated with female menopause are minor, however in some cases, women may experience particularly distressing or uncomfortable bodily changes as a result of hormonal shifts. Hormone replacement therapy seeks to remedy this.

Estrogen and progesterone are the most common components of hormone replacement therapy for assisting with the management of female menopausal symptoms. These particular hormones tend to decrease during this time of life, which in turn can result in hair loss, mood swings, lack of sleep, and low libido.

B Molecular Controls Of Hair Follicle Cycling

Although the ultimate oscillator system that drives hair follicle cycling remains unknown, an ever-increasing list of molecules is now recognized to modulate normal hair follicle cycling . For example, the duration of anagen is prolonged by IGF-I, HGF, glial-derived neurotropic factor, and VEGF, whereas anagen is shortened and catagen is induced by fibroblast growth factor 5 , TGF1 and TGF2, IL-1, and interferon- . One critical question in the context of the current review, therefore, is to what extent these key hair cycle modulators are regulated by ER-mediated signaling.

In catagen, which is a stringently controlled, apoptosis- and terminal differentiation-driven process of rapid organ involution , there are two protagonists that regulate normal apoptosis in the hair follicle: p53 , and the product of the hairless gene , a zinc finger transcription factor . Intriguing similarities in the phenotype of hr-defective hairless mice and of mice with loss-of-function mutations in the vitamin D receptor or retinoid X- receptor suggest that Hr, VDR, and RXR- are all parts of similar pathways that are critical for activation of the key genes that control the anagen-catagen transformation . FGF5, TGF1, TGF2, the neurotrophins NT-3, NT-4, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, as well as p75NTR signaling, IFN-, prolactin, and estrogen, are recognized inducers of catagen .

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Dr Roach: Hair Fullness Often Returns After Estrogen

Dear Dr. Roach: For the past five years, I have been using vaginal estrogen. I was first given Estradiol Cream. I have always had very thick, curly hair. In less than a week, I started noticing hair coming out in my hands when washing it. Within a couple of months, my hair started to look thinner. Five years after starting the cream, my hair is noticeably thinner.

My urogynecologist said that topically applied estrogen cream could not cause hair loss, since only trace amounts get into the bloodstream. He agreed to change to a bioidentical estriol cream made by a compounding pharmacy.

The same problem occurred with the estriol. If I discontinue use of the creams, will my hair eventually revert to its usual thickness?

F.N.Y.

Most women use estrogen cream to combat a thinning of the lining of the vagina vaginal atrophy. This is something that happens after menopause due to a decline in estrogen levels. It can cause painful intercourse, a feeling of dryness or even a burning sensation. Topical estrogen is used to relieve the symptoms by improving the elasticity of the vaginal tissue.

Estradiol and estriol certainly are absorbed by the body, even when used topically. The blood levels are measurable, and they are shown to be absorbed nearly as well as they are orally enough to affect other hormones in the body.

Since systemic estrogen can cause hair loss, I think its entirely plausible that the estrogens you have used are causing your hair loss.

S.M.

Stress Depression And Anxiety Can Also Contribute To Hair Loss

Depression and hair loss are linked, and depression can affect the quality of your hair hair can become dry and break very easily. Prescription anti-depressants such as Prozac can also have side effects that cause hair loss.

Woman with long hair standing by the window so the reflection is visible in the glass. Sadness and anxiety on her face.

Anxiety and stress are technically two separate conditions. However, they do overlap. The key issue between anxiety and hair loss is stress, especially persistent stress, which can affect the growth of your hair.

Emotional stress can significantly slow, or even stunt your hairs normal growth cycle. Once the hair has stopped its growth cycle, it lies dormant and eventually sheds after around two months.

Stress is a huge contributor to a variety of different mental illnesses, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia. In most cases, it is stress that will cause you to lose hair. The most common type of hair loss is telogen effluvium, in which stress can be a potential cause.

If the cause is stress and it is addressed, your hair can resume its normal growth phase, but it usually takes three to six months for regrowth or longer.

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The Hair Follicle Cycle

The hair follicle cycle is divided into three main distinct phases: the anagen, the catagen, and the telogen . Some authors also identify one additional phase: the exogen.

Hair growth phases: anagen , catagen , telogen , exogen .

The most prolonged phase is the anagen, which lasts 27 years. It is also called the growing phase. During this phase, cells divide rapidly at the lower part of the hair, while matrix cells migrate outward.

The catagen phase is a short transition period, which is defined as involution or regression. This phase lasts around three weeks. During this phase, the hair shaft loses the connections from the papillae and contracts.

The telogen phase can also be referred to as the resting stage. This phase can last about three months and is described as the regression of the matrix and retraction of the papilla to a location near the bulge. There is no significant proliferation or apoptosis during this phase.

The exogen phase is an additional distinct phase where the active hair shaft and new hair continue to grow.

At any given time, up to 8590% of the hair on the scalp remains in the anagen phase, whereas the remaining follicles are either in the catagen phase for 2% of the time or in the telogen phase for the remaining 1015% of the time . However, this percentage of telogen hair can be overestimated, with novel data indicating that only 3.6% remain in the telogen phase .

The Hormone Imbalances & Nutrient Deficiencies Behind Hair Loss

Several different types of hormonal imbalances can lead to thinning hair. Understanding them is the first step in knowing how to treat them with lifestyle, nutrition and supplements.

Testosterone troubles

The male hormones, called androgens, have long been associated with scalp hair. Historically, experts blamed hormonal hair loss across both genders on too much testosterone, but that is only part of the story.

The real culprit appears to be dihydrotestosterone , a more potent form of testosterone. DHT is made from testosterone by a specific enzyme in the body, and while both testosterone and DHT are known to have a weakening effect on hair follicles, there appears to be something unique about the conversion process of testosterone to DHT that relates to thinning hair. This is why some drugs that are marketed for hair loss block the conversion of testosterone to DHT.

This is all to say that high levels of testosterone, high levels of DHT , and the conversion of testosterone to DHT, all appear to play a role in the thinning hair for some women with hair loss.

Insulin Imbalances

Insulin is one of the bodys master hormones. Its released every time we eat food and it allows our cells to utilize the energy we get from food. Its released in smaller amounts when we eat low-glycemic foods and in higher amounts when we eat high-glycemic foods .

Estrogen Excess

Thyroid hormone imbalances

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What Are Treatments For Female Hair Loss

While it’s unclear exactly why menopausal womens hair starts to thin, the new research suggested declining estrogen levels.

Estrogen receptors are present in the hair follicles, which hints at its association with the withdrawal of estrogen at menopause that may affect hair growth, the researchers wrote. Other hormonal changes may affect scalp hair and accelerate the change from the growth phase to the resting phase of hair growth.

While thinning hair in an aging man has been normalized, few women are prepared for it, said Dr. Mary Rosser, director of integrated womens health at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York. Mothers rarely, if ever, talk to their daughters about menopause symptoms, so, for many, menopause-related hair thinning can be a shock, said Rosser, who sends her patients with hair loss to a dermatologist.

As a woman, I feel that hair is so important for identity.

Dr. Emma Guttman, DERMATOLOGISt

Hair loss in women may be traced to a number of factors, of which menopause may be one, said Dr. Emma Guttman, director of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman department of Dermatology for Mount Sinai Health System.

There are many causes of hair loss such as autoimmune conditions and issues with the immune system, Guttman said. But the hopeful thing is, there are treatments for some of them.

Women Also Experience Hair Loss

While many people associate hair loss with men, an often-unspoken reality is that many women also experience hair loss, especially as they reach menopausal age. According to Harvard Health Publishing, about one-third of women report having hair loss at some point in their lifetime, and two-thirds of women who reached postmenopausal age experienced hair thinning or bald spots.

Unlike men, who generally experience hair loss due to their genetics, women tend to experience hair loss as a result of imbalanced hormone levels and other triggers. Some causes of hair loss in women include:

Other health conditions can also lead to hair loss in women, so it is always advised to seek medical advice on how to treat your hair loss, as other health factors might be contributing to this symptom.

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Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti

Alterna states that this caviar shampoo cleanses the hair gently and reduces the residues and DHT that can cause hair to thin.

The key ingredient in this shampoo is caviar extract, which contains omega-3 fatty acids that the company claims can restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to a persons hair.

An 8.5 fl oz bottle costs $34.

The following are common questions and answers about shampoos for thinning hair during menopause:

Other Symptoms Of Low Estrogen

In addition to hair loss, low estrogen can cause a range of symptoms. Other symptoms of low estrogen include:

• A reduced level of interest in sex

• Less frequent menstrual periods, or no periods

• Hot flashes and/or night sweats

• Difficulty sleeping or staying asleep

• Vaginal dryness and thinning of vaginal tissue

• Dry skin

• Mood swings

Some of these symptoms may occur before and during your period. For example, some women experience menstrual migraines painful headaches that occur before or during their period.

This is because your levels of estrogen fluctuate during your period. When estrogen levels are low, you may have a higher risk of experiencing the symptoms listed above.

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More Than A Bad Hair Day

For many women, our hair is something we control we cut it, style it and choose how to wear it. It is an expression of ourselves, our personality and our image. If we lose a lot of hair, we may feel less like ourselves, less in control and it can affect our self-esteem.

The average age of the menopause is around fifty and in the months or years leading up to this, some people notice a change in hair pattern. Very commonly, the volume and condition of the hair appears to worsen, with some women noticing that hair does not grow as much as previously. More hair seems to come out in the basin when washing and hair brushes soon fill up as loose hairs are brushed away. Some women will go on to experience a more profound hair loss, with thinning at the crown of the head, the sides or more general hair thinning all over the head. This is described as Female pattern hair loss . A complete loss of hair, as seen in men who sometimes go bald, is much rarer in women and is usually caused by a medical condition or by medical treatment such as chemotherapy.

Does Topical Estrogen Cream Promote Hair Growth

I can confirm that topical Estrogen cream on the scalp is very poorly absorbed and has minimal impact on hair growth, or the progression of androgenic alopecia.

I checked my blood work via a high sensitivity assay and I was actually shocked at how poor the systemic absorption was through the scalp.

If your goal is to try and maintain physiologic amount of systemic estrogen fulfilled via transdermal administration of topical Estrogen cream, you will likely be unsuccessful.

The absorption through the scalp is extremely poor.

I was drenching my head in this stuff to really test it out.

Even when I had several milligrams of Estradiol cream on my head per day, my E2 levels were low.

The hypothesized topical localized effect on Estrogen receptors also doesnât seem to play out as we thought it may.

I noticed no additional growth out of it, and feel that it is an overhyped growth agonist that may just do more harm than good.

The most notable biomarker that changes with topical Estrogen cream on the scalp is Estrone, which goes through the roof.

To date, I have never seen anyone actually get good results from topical E2 to begin with, and any cases of regrowth with its use were in cases where other therapies were used in conjunction with it.

Anybody who deploys this as a form of monotherapy to prevent hair loss will be disappointed with their lack of results in my opinion.

• Hair Loss Advice, Lifestyle

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F Estrogen Target Tissues

ER and ER are found in many organs and cell types. Besides the skin and hair follicle , ERs have been detected in a wide variety of tissues and cells, such as mammary gland, prostate, testis, placenta, brain pituitary, cartilage, adipocytes, osteoblasts, skin, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts . ERs are also found in the classical steroid hormone-susceptible and -producing organs, e.g., ovarian granulosa cells and testis . During a study of stromal and epithelial tumors of the ovary, ER and ER isoforms were detected by RT-PCR and Southern blot analysis . A wide expression in malignant and normal ovary has been described. ER was often found, with low intensity but with high incidence in granulosa cell tumors. A C-terminally shortened variant of ER, ERcx, was widely expressed in all tumors studied. This variant is a ligand-independent ER isoform with antagonistic activity to ER .

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During Estrogen Induced Premature Onset Of Catagen Tgf 2 Is Up

The previous reports about estrogen induced hair cycle suppression were all based on long period estrogen administration model , . In order to explore the mechanism underlying the estrogen induced hair cycle arrest, we tried to confine the exact time point that estrogen starts to perform its suppressive effect. We orchidectomized wild type and estrogen receptor alpha null mice, and treated them with estrogen or vehicle oil and obtained time-lapse sections after 2, 3 and 4 days of administration . As our observation, after 4 days of estrogen administration, HFs of WT mice showed typical catagen VâVII morphology, while HFs of the vehicle oil treated WT mice and estrogen treated ER α mice stayed at stages of anagen IVâVI .

The premature catagen induced by estrogen was accompanied with advance apoptosis of precortex cells.

Premature catagen happened to the WT mice HFs as soon as the 4th day of estrogen treatment . Yet estrogen treatment showed no effect on HFs of ER α ones. After 3 days or 4 days of estrogen treatment, precortex cells of the HFs showed Tunel-positive. The days of treatment are indicated. Compared with HFs of the vehicle oil treated mice, the HFs upon estrogen showed cleaved caspase-3 expression in precortex region. Boxed areas are magnified in right-hand panels. Propidium iodide-labeled nuclei are in red. PC: precortex ORS: outer root sheath E2: 17β-estradiol HF: hair follicle ER: estrogen receptor. Scale bar: 50 µm.

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Localized Estrogen Receptor Activation

On paper, it is easy to extrapolate the potential benefit of being able to topically apply Estradiol or Estriol and get some sort of localized binding with a relative lack of systemic estrogenic activity.

However, it just doesnt seem to work like that in practical application.

I noticed absolutely no difference on my hair growth or hair loss prevention, whatsoever.

Its also not very predictable in terms of pharmacokinetics in the body going through the scalp.

What Causes Hair Loss During Menopause Why Could Hormone Replacement Treatment Help

During menopause, youre likely experiencing a lot of changes, from irregular periods to night sweats and mood changes. Thinning hair can also occur in post-menopause. Many women notice that hormone replacement treatment can help reduce hot flashes and may even help their hair. However, what is it about menopause that makes your hair more vulnerable? In many cases, its hormones.

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