What is the ideal dosage of Estrogen (Oestrogen) and Progesterone (and what types/ brands etc.) to stop 40+ woman's hair from falling?

[Juneworldcup]

What is the ideal dosage of Estrogen (Oestrogen) and Progesterone (and what types/ brands etc.) to stop hair from falling? I am taking 6mg Progenova daily, 75 Everol patch twice weekly, 1mg Sanderina gel twice daily and Vagifem capsule once daily. My hair has become much thicker and shinier but hair loss has not been arrested yet.

Also, should I try some estrogen cream on the scalp directly? My scalp itches, hurts and is sensitive but all other issues are ruled out (no deficiencies, no Alopecia Arata etc.)

[Kes8]

Someone might be able to give you the recommended daily allowance.

But without knowing how much oestrogen/progesterone you are producing endogenously, how much you are metabolising and how much you are eliminating no-one can give you an accurate dosage.

It might be worth testing for oestrogen/progesterone levels first.

[Juneworldcup in reply to Kes8]

@kes You are so right... I don't think I am producing any of my own now as the Estrogen + Progesterone regime stopped my periods. My blood work funnily showed very low Estrogen even when I was taking 4mg oral daily + patch. So definitely some metabolising issues with the dosage. My doc now increased my dosage all around to 6mg oral, 3-4 1mg gel satchets daily, 75 Evorel patch and Vagifem 10 mcg daily.

I will ask my GP to do another blood work now...

[Angel_of_the_North]

The ideal dose is the one that is correct for the individual. Bioidentical hormones are preferable (vagifem is bioidentical, don't know about the others). Many women need DHEA and/or testosterone too. That would be way too much oestrogen for me (I take 2mg oestrogen, 10mg DHEA and 150mg progesterone a day).

[Juneworldcup in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Thanks - does DHEA and testosterone help with hair?

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Juneworldcup]

No, just with hormone balance and general health. If your androgens are too high, you will get male pattern baldness (if so, your hair loss will probably respond to rogaine/minoxidil). Low iron can cause hair loss, too. Although low oestrogen can cause hair loss, so does oestrogen dominance (aka low progesterone) and you are taking a lot of oestrogen. This is a slightly over-simplified look at hair loss but might help: floliving.com/hair-loss/

[InstaBeakie]

Hopefully someone will be a long who knows a bit more about this. However, I would be very wary of applying your oestrogen directly to your scalp. Also, how long have you been on HRT for? It can take a while to work.

Might be worth looking into testosterone. I think the consensus is that it should reduce hair loss (although some say it may promote male pattern baldness) but I'm not entirely sure.

Ideal dose will depend on the individual - do you have any other menopause symptoms?

My (limited) understanding is that blood tests need to be interpreted with caution and aren't always considered useful (particularly in women over 35).

[Juneworldcup in reply to InstaBeakie]

You are right... blood tests are a hit or miss. I will look into testosterone... since I started progesterone, my testosterone has plummeted. I had two other symptoms - memory loss - I couldn't remember names, I couldn't focus at all. And second symptom was that I wasn't sleeping that well...then some gut issues and I was stressed so drinking more than probably what my body could take (I think this hormone issue caused alcohol sensitivity for me)... so hard to tell what exactly can help. But if you have had any success, I would love to know your regimen as I am going to a dermatologist this weekend who specializes in menopausal female pattern baldness... I have only been on hormonal therapy since April of this year and still working through the right dosage...

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Juneworldcup]

Be aware that fake progesterone (non bioidentical/progestin/progestone) acts more like testosterone, much better to stick to bioidentical hormones

[Juneworldcup in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

My estrogen is all bio-identical. But I am not sure what brand/name of progesterone is bio-identical. I am taking Cyproterone Acetate and it is NOT bio-identical. I have searched the internet but haven't found what brand is bio-identical progesterone.

Another question - I have also scheduled my first appointment in Dec with an endocrinologist (I will be broke by end of this)... any suggestions on what tests I can ask him to run to help me with the hormone balancing? All thyroid (including thyroid antibodies test) are normal. No iron or other deficiencies...

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Juneworldcup]

Never heard of most the brands you mention, so can't help with that. Mine is compounded for me. I think Utrogestan is bioidentical progesterone. Is your B12 near the top of the range and is your ferritin around 70-80? If you can go to London, there are loads of doctors offering bioidentical hormone treatment

[Juneworldcup in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Ok this is SO SO SO helpful for me! Thank you so much! I am meeting this doctor - Glenn Lyons that my GP recommended philipkingsley.co.uk/clinic...

I am going to make use of every minute of that 1 hour consultation I have with him

1. I will ask for a blood test for all hormones

2. I will ask about this bio-identical progesterone

3. I will ask about best way to take the medication (oral, gel, sublingual, any direct scalp application)...

Keeping fingers crossed. I will also check my blood and other levels from my last blood test....

[InstaBeakie]

sorry should have said in women over 45