- Reaction score
- 2
Hi guys,
Around Feb this year I noticed that I had more hair than normal shedding from the top of my head to the point that I realised that something was different (Ive paid a lot of attention to my hair growing up). My hair has always been very thick and strong but as I said around Feb I found that I was shedding more hair than normal. Its now July and Ive thinned out a lot where im quite concious of it, so Im just hoping some people on here might know a bit more and help me out. Im going to try to bullet point all my info to save time and reading for you cus it gets a bit messy.
Hair:
-Ive thinned out quite a bit since Feb, so whatever it is is quite aggressive (only noticeable to me mainly, but can definitely see more of the scalp in bright light)
-the shedding is generally all over the top of my head, including the crown and hairline (right side of hairline has always been more receded over past few years but has been very gradual and ive just covered it) left side hair line is now losing hairs as well (rapidly)
-the individual hairs seem thinner, dryer, and weaker and almost seem to be split, so there is a lot of breakage as well as the little mineral at the end when the full hair comes out
-also had a consistent burning/itching sensation on the scalp (has subsided)
Help sought:
-Visited a naturopath in March while waiting for derm appt in April, identified stressors in my life including university, relationship, and a health issue that i was really worried about (turned out to be nothing)
-also did a saliva test that tests hormonal levels and found that I had way too much estrogen in the body
-have been taking remedies to get both the stressors and hormones in check, feeling much less stressed as of recent
-Dermatologist told me (within a minute of being in the office) that it was an early onsest of male pattern baldness, as my Dad is bald, Mum also has alopecia in a spot.
She prescribed me a tablet which was .25mg propecia and 1mg Minoxidil.
Regimen:
Im sorry if this is a bit cringeworthy, as ive been chopping and changing as ive been impatient as well as having side effects so ill go through with what ive done.
-so ive consistently been taking a herbal formula twice daily for the stress as apparently my adrenals have been pumping the wrong hormones down the wrong path as well as an estrogen clearer to help bring the hormones back into balance.
-at the same time, as i was impatient, I started using Minoxidil foam that i bought twice a day.
-with that pairing i found that the shedding subsided largely.
-i then substituted in lipogaine as i had read good reviews and found that I was experiencing sexual side effects from the topical solution and may have been using too much.
-so i changed to the tablet that the derm had prescribed but had even worse sexual side effects with the additon of propecia so stopped after a couple weeks.
-so now i am back using Lipogaine once a day as well as the herbal remedies however im still experiencing slight sexual side effects as well as dark rings around the eyes/tired look (have been getting plenty of sleep)
So, I have a few questions.
1. What is the recommendation from you guys? I am weary of continuing with lipogaine/Minoxidil foam of any kind due to the chance of increased side effects. Im too young to be worrying about dark circles and sexual issues and would, sadly, forego hair so that these other issues would resolve.
2. Does my shedding sound like male pattern baldness or could it be due to Tellogen effluvium? Ive only just heard about it for the first time today and from reading, it does sound a lot like my situation with the stressors, rapid shedding, small mineral at the end of hairs, etc. Im a little upset that the derm didnt even mention this to me (felt very hurried at my appt)
3. If it is Tellogen effluvium, how should i go about it? Should I stop the lipogaine/minoxidil treatment all together and see if the shedding stage stops on its own and starts regrowing? Again im weary of stopping again and seeing more shedding and losing ground if its not Telogen Effluvium.
Sorry for the long-winded questions! Any help or info based on what ive said would be much appreciated! Thanks
Around Feb this year I noticed that I had more hair than normal shedding from the top of my head to the point that I realised that something was different (Ive paid a lot of attention to my hair growing up). My hair has always been very thick and strong but as I said around Feb I found that I was shedding more hair than normal. Its now July and Ive thinned out a lot where im quite concious of it, so Im just hoping some people on here might know a bit more and help me out. Im going to try to bullet point all my info to save time and reading for you cus it gets a bit messy.
Hair:
-Ive thinned out quite a bit since Feb, so whatever it is is quite aggressive (only noticeable to me mainly, but can definitely see more of the scalp in bright light)
-the shedding is generally all over the top of my head, including the crown and hairline (right side of hairline has always been more receded over past few years but has been very gradual and ive just covered it) left side hair line is now losing hairs as well (rapidly)
-the individual hairs seem thinner, dryer, and weaker and almost seem to be split, so there is a lot of breakage as well as the little mineral at the end when the full hair comes out
-also had a consistent burning/itching sensation on the scalp (has subsided)
Help sought:
-Visited a naturopath in March while waiting for derm appt in April, identified stressors in my life including university, relationship, and a health issue that i was really worried about (turned out to be nothing)
-also did a saliva test that tests hormonal levels and found that I had way too much estrogen in the body
-have been taking remedies to get both the stressors and hormones in check, feeling much less stressed as of recent
-Dermatologist told me (within a minute of being in the office) that it was an early onsest of male pattern baldness, as my Dad is bald, Mum also has alopecia in a spot.
She prescribed me a tablet which was .25mg propecia and 1mg Minoxidil.
Regimen:
Im sorry if this is a bit cringeworthy, as ive been chopping and changing as ive been impatient as well as having side effects so ill go through with what ive done.
-so ive consistently been taking a herbal formula twice daily for the stress as apparently my adrenals have been pumping the wrong hormones down the wrong path as well as an estrogen clearer to help bring the hormones back into balance.
-at the same time, as i was impatient, I started using Minoxidil foam that i bought twice a day.
-with that pairing i found that the shedding subsided largely.
-i then substituted in lipogaine as i had read good reviews and found that I was experiencing sexual side effects from the topical solution and may have been using too much.
-so i changed to the tablet that the derm had prescribed but had even worse sexual side effects with the additon of propecia so stopped after a couple weeks.
-so now i am back using Lipogaine once a day as well as the herbal remedies however im still experiencing slight sexual side effects as well as dark rings around the eyes/tired look (have been getting plenty of sleep)
So, I have a few questions.
1. What is the recommendation from you guys? I am weary of continuing with lipogaine/Minoxidil foam of any kind due to the chance of increased side effects. Im too young to be worrying about dark circles and sexual issues and would, sadly, forego hair so that these other issues would resolve.
2. Does my shedding sound like male pattern baldness or could it be due to Tellogen effluvium? Ive only just heard about it for the first time today and from reading, it does sound a lot like my situation with the stressors, rapid shedding, small mineral at the end of hairs, etc. Im a little upset that the derm didnt even mention this to me (felt very hurried at my appt)
3. If it is Tellogen effluvium, how should i go about it? Should I stop the lipogaine/minoxidil treatment all together and see if the shedding stage stops on its own and starts regrowing? Again im weary of stopping again and seeing more shedding and losing ground if its not Telogen Effluvium.
Sorry for the long-winded questions! Any help or info based on what ive said would be much appreciated! Thanks
