Hi guys -

I have been taking medication for endometriosis since March, and stopped a few weeks ago due to the side effects. The medication I was on (orgametril) basically makes the ovaries hibernate, but to a certain extent it seems to simulate a state of pregnancy, thus eliminating periods. Since I got off the medication I've noticed that I'm losing more hair than I normally do, and I was wondering if it could tie in with the simulated pregnancy (pregnant women tend to have a surge in hair growth, and it falls out post-partum).

ANYWAY. My doctor wants to put me on a new drug (synarela) after summer, this one simulating menopause. What fun. I was wondering if anyone has any experience of this sort of drug-enduced condition and the effects it has on hair. Hair loss is mentioned as a possible side-effect, but I'm not sure if it's because of the drug itself or the menopausal effects of it.

Just needed to share,

/Kate

(((hugs))))
I know this is not a fun situation for you.  I don't know any of the specifics of drug enduced hormonal changes, but my guess would be your hair probably doesn't know the difference.  Post-partum hair loss/shedding is very common.  Thinning is also common during the peri-menopausal and menopausal stages. (Having experienced all of the above - it is amazing how much hair you can lose and still have anything left on your head!)

There might be some supplements you can take to help minimize the loss - but check with your doctor and pharmicist to make sure it is OK with any drugs or conditions you have.  Biotin and silica both helped with my excessive shedding.

Taking care of your body is the most important thing for you.  Work with your doctor and hopefully you can resolve these issues.  Good luck.

Thanks bikerbraid, I appreciate your reply.

To be honest I feel pretty much ok now that I'm off the medication I took all spring. And my hair is nice and thick, I think any shedding going on now will be quite limited (it's already tapering off to normal).

Did you/do you by any chance take estrogen? I will probably be prescribed estrogen to alleviate symptoms from the other stuff, and I was wondering about its side-effects as well.

Also, do you know of any good sites which list the amounts of vitamins/minerals needed to promote hair growth/prevent fallout?

Thanks,

Kate

Glad you are feeling better now and your hair has not suffered excessively.

I've not taken any hormones myself other than when I was on birth control pills back in the dark ages.  Those pills were sooooo strong back then they about killed you (and they were the most effective form of BC on the market at the time).

I've never really found a comprehensive list of vitamins/supplements for hair.  There are a couple of products out there that are specifically designed to promote hair growth.  In general, a good diet and good health are the best thing you can do to promote hair growth and reduce shedding.  Your typical vitamins will always help.  

I purchase my vitamins/supplements from Vitamin Shoppe online.  They have Ultra Hair supplements.  You can look at the ingredients to see what is included and the amounts of each and develop your own concoction, if you want.  I don't take a product specifically for hair, just a good multi-vitamin, a vit E caplet, extra calcium, MSM, Biotin and silica.  The MSM was originally recommended to me by my doctor for my arthritis and joints.  The calcium is just because I'm a female :P and bone loss should be a concern of every female over 21.

Hope this helps a bit.

I've been struggling with this for ten years minimum.

Kate - I do take estrogen and progesteron and I plan to continue indefinitely but I have pretty good odds in my favor, i.e., not overweight, no substantial family history of cancers, diligent checkups, no smoking, exercise, etc.

It's a bit of a crap shoot when you get beyond your sixties but that's a bit away and I'm hoping there will be new developments.

My understanding is that it's not whether you are producing your own hormones or taking a pill that increases your risks, it's the total amount of time.  So, since at your age you would be producing them anyway there should be no increase in risk.

Taking baby aspirin daily as long as it's OK with your doc is IMO a good help against blood clotting ... good luck ...gabi

Thanks for your input, Gabi. Being a gal sure can be a lot of hassle.

I talked to my doctor just last week actually. Because I was so worried about all the horrible side-effects of synarela (the med he wanted to put me on) and having to take estrogen, he said I could take regular birth control pills for the time being. It's not a great solution, but it's better than nothing.

Now I just have to get cracking on the 20 lbs I gained while on the FIRST med. *sigh* :'(

/Kate

Hmmmm, we could do a group diet - I could stand to loose some myself.

Just in case it cheers ya up a bit I want to mention that you have a gorgeous profile and that's not going to change  ;D ...gabi

Thanks Gabi! :-)

I leave on Saturday for a 3 week vacation with my family in the US, so all diets start after I get back. My brother makes an amazing crawfish etoufée, and I'm not about to pass up that or any other delicacy!

/Kate

Diets and vacations do not mix.  Be sure to have lots of fun!

wrote on Oct 3^rd, 2004 at 3:10pm:

Thanks Gabi! :-) I leave on Saturday for a 3 week vacation with my family in the US, so all diets start after I get back. My brother makes an amazing crawfish etoufée, and I'm not about to pass up that or any other delicacy! /Kate

Fainting dead away with Etoufee envy.  I say pig out and don't be wimpy, who knows all that seafood might give the growth a boost ...gabi

Hair loss or hair breakage,this a occur from using a chemical shampoo,imbalance in diet,level of hormone,stress,pregnancy this a factor affecting a hair loss,you do massage with oil and take a healthy food that contain a more vitamin this a best for a hair and not use a hair colour use a henna this way you stop hair loss,good food full of biotin definitely help to prevent hair loss.