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TOPIC 3 - MINOXIDIL
TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE # 1
Date: 4/9/98
Name: Bread
Email_address: Email HairSite@aol.com to contact author of this message
Subject: Female Pattern Baldness
Submit: Submit
Date: 21 May 1998
Time: 09:01:31
Remote Name: ww-tp06.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.0; AOL 3.0; Windows 95)
To: Hairsite@aol.com
Hi,
Just wondering is there any new findings re treatment for female??? Apart from Rogaine, I don't know any others. Pls advise. Thanks.
Desperate female.
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #2
Date: 5/6/98
Name: LDG
Email_address: Email HairSite@aol.com to contact author of this message
Subject: Hair Bonding For Women
Submit: Submit
Date: 21 May 1998
Time: 09:04:20
Remote Name: ww-tp06.proxy.aol.com
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HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.0; AOL 3.0; Windows 95)
To: HairSite@aol.com
I've just recently discovered this website & was very pleased to read of all the news and updates on hair-loss. As a woman with severely thinning hair, I must soon come to a decision about which methods or method is b est for me. I've tried a few centers but they all seem geared to men. I've tried the Rogaine, but realized only minimal regrowth. The bonding technique seems the best alternative, but I would like more information about it. I would also like to interact with females. No offence, but hair loss is traumatic enough for men, can you imagine how much more so for a female? It would be good to relate to other females with the same problem. Have you any suggestions or advice?
Thanks,
LDG
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #3
Date: 5/9/98
Name: Marie
Email_address: Email HairSite@aol.com to contact author of this message
Subject: 5% Minoxidil with Nioxin
Submit: Submit
Date: 09 May 1998
Time: 16:22:42
Remote Name: spider-td111.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.0; AOL 3.0; Windows 95)
A big thank you for such a good informative site. Well done!
I live in the UK where non-commercial, private access to the internet has been slow to 'catch on', with only, say 1-2% of the UK population having this facility. Government funded, free computer technology for mature students and rapid computer introduction into educational establishments, has moved rapidly into 'the way forward' with PCs and the Web.
I, myself, have suffered this FPB to a lesser degree 'on and off' for some years. As I do have my own private access to the internet I have a group of fellow hairloss sufferers who rely on me to provide reliable info on this subject.
One of my group has asked if any product has been known to have any success (at all) with alopecia areata totalis, where some regrowth is evident, but on the back and sides only?
Another has asked if it is safe to combine Nioxin with Minoxidol 5%?
And finally, you do not seem to have included any reference to the DIANA 35 pill which is used, with reportedly reasonable success as an anti-androgen in treating Female Pattern Baldness/Hirsutism and Acne? Is it only available in New Zealand and Australia?
I would so appreciate any info that you could provide for me here and thank you once again for your helpful site.
Marie
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #4
Date: 20/5/98
Name: Mariellen
Email_address: Email HairSite@aol.com to
contact author of this message
Subject: ANY OTHER FEMALES USED/USING FINASTERIDE?
Submit: Submit
Date: 19 May 1998
Time: 23:27:47
Remote Name: ns1.griffin.co.uk
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.0; Windows 95)
Hello fellow hairloss sufferers!
I am currently using 1mg finasteride, 5% Minoxidol + Retin A (evening). I have only been taking this medication for 2 weeks but I wondered if any other females out there might share their own experiences of finasteride. I have only moderate thinning on top of scalp, with little noticeable shedding. I had severe thinning in this scalp area about 10 years ago, which I successfully treated with Minoxidol 2%. I continued with the Minoxidol for about 3-4 years and had no sudden hairloss when I stopped using it.
My current hairloss seemed to slowly emerge post hysterectomy 1996. I hoped to find something which would give more noticeable results, more rapidly than my previous use of minoxidol 2%, which took about 12 months to grow any noticeable amount of hair. That is why I have undertaken my current course of hairloss treatment. I will persevere for 6 months and if no positive results will look again at other product alternatives. I consider it fundamentally important to address any hairloss as soon as possible, even more so if you are genetically susceptible to this androgenic type of hairloss.
I am going to combine Nano shampoo and Folligen lotion. Having done much thorough personal research now, I consider the state of the art treatment for hairloss is to combine as many treatments/synergies as possible, keeping in mind which products work most effectively together. Minoxidol (preferably with 'gentle' acclimatisation into the Retin A evening routine, for extra absorption/effectiveness) seems to be a good base 'hair grower', combined with an anti-androgen, and a copper-binding peptide to attack the hairloss from as many possible angles as possible. I see that Saw Palmetto, which although a non-drug supplement performing as an anti-androgen, attacks the DHT is a different manner than say finasteride so that will be another possible supplement to 'mop up' any DHT not already addressed with your other chosen anti-androgen eg finasteride/spironolactone (or others). Saw Palmetto works well with Africana Pygeum, zinc +B6, + Beta-carotene to assist absorption of zinc, +L Arginine, so I will gradually include these also. These are all safe non-drug supplements..
I like Dr Proctor's logical viewpoints, that most of the hairloss products work to some degree on some people, and that you would have to try extremely hard to prove that any one product did not work at all. He also makes the point that those products which have patents will probably have the most 'proof' of their success rate, as it is not worth the time and expense of obtaining a patent if you do not have an effective product to market.
I have not experienced any side effects whatsoever to date, save a few 'slight headachy days' at the beginning. I experienced this before with Minoxidol, until I became acclimatised to it. As before, I use slightly more than normal as I am hoping to thicken up large areas of fine hair too. This certainly worked before and I noticed all over thickening when creating a 'parting'. I will keep this site updated on my results.
Mariellen.
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #5
Date: 23/5/98
Name: Mariellen
Email_address:Email HairSite@aol.com to contact
author of this message
Subject: Minoxidil
Submit: Submit
Date: 22 May 1998
Time: 03:07:31
Remote Name: ns1.griffin.co.uk
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.0; Windows 95)
In reply to the query regarding spironolactone/cyproterone acetate, both these anti-androgens have been very successful in addressing female excess male hormone (androgen), in treating the byproduct of this condition ie acne, hirsutism (abnormal excess facial/body hair) and androgenic alopecia. Dr Mary Sawaya recommends ANY of the following anti-androgens for females (oral spironolactone/cyproterone acetate can cause sexual contraindications for males ie impotence especially), but oral spironolactone is widely considered the most potent approach:
ORAL Spironolactone acetate 100-200 mg daily Cyproterone Acetate 50-150 mg daily (not available USA) Cimetidine 300 mg po 5 x daily Dexamethasone .25-.75 mg at night Flutamide 250 mg po tid
It is also vitally important to get your contraceptive/HRT pills checked for androgenic effects, some are very hair unfriendly.
I cannot stress too highly that the one factor common to all the medically qualified/experienced HAIR BRAIN SPECIALISTS is COMBINATION of hairloss treatments to maximise your odds of success. This is usually contradictory of the typical physician/dermatologist who may treat you. Their logic is usually to try one treatment first, and wait and see, before trying another, or else you will not know which is treating the hairloss. The reverse viewpoint that the real hairloss experts share is that NO ONE PRODUCT works consistently well alone; it may for some, but not the majority of hairloss sufferers. .
Considering that 50% of all the male population will have some degree of balding by age 50, a real 'cure' for hairloss would undoubtedly be one of the biggest money-spinners of all time. Minoxidol and Finasteride (Propecia) have been approved now for use in treating androgenic hairloss, neither company, (Upjohn/Merck) are going to freely promote/advertise on behalf of the other. It would not be commercially benefiting to openly recommend inclusion of yet another company's product, together with their own, for improved effectiveness. It has now been well established that Minoxidol and Propecia together are more effective then either treatment alone, add Retin A (very slowly, for easier acclimatization) and you improve your odds even more. Add rotating antiseborrheic shampoos eg TGel (coaltar), Head and Shoulders (zinc), Nizoral (ketoconazole - currently prescription - soon OTC) and you improve your odds of success even further. Nano shampoo containing Nitronic acid, (same compound as contained in minoxidol, to promote hair growth ) will actually grow hair for some users.
Whilst the fact that androgens do play a major part in hair loss is typically accepted, the viewpoint that this is not the ONLY factor for the hairloss is now widely accepted too. Another contributing issue is immune reaction to hairloss which needs to be addressed separately. The copper binding peptides become valuable within this area of approach/treatment. These products address scalp inflammation which can cause fibrosis, causing further damage to the hair follicles, and keep the scalp healthy to promote healthy hair growth. Folligen + Propecia (men) or Folligen + minoxidol (females) has been shown to be a good synergy approach to tackling hairloss. Folligen to stop the shedding and minoxidol to encourage regrowth. Females can add an anti-androgen of their choice and any other of the recognized good hairloss supplements, for a more radical approach in tackling their condition.
We are advised by these medical, hairloss physicians, that more consistently reliable products are currently in the pipeline, so attempt to keep what hair you have; hopefully increase your odds of regrowing and then adapt a sensible maintenance plan as necessary to your own individual needs. When you achieve good cosmetic results simply, reduce your treatments, slowly and one at a time, monitoring carefully any renewed hairloss. If you experience hairloss again just include that particular product back again into your routine and when the shedding stops, just try dropping a different product and so forth. Hairloss is complex and the success rate of any treatment always unpredictable, that is why so many people give up, because the process can be expensive, time-consuming and thoroughly frustrating. With perseverance most androgenic hairloss sufferers will find some product/products which will help their condition. Some will be very pleased with their results (I know that I was myself in 1990, even with minoxidol 2%) and others will not be so fortunate. Nevertheless, whilst these people may not get the amount of regrowth they might desire, they may have fared much without any treatment whatsoever.
I think that I got good results with my previous hairloss because I tackled it straight away and kept to a STRICT ROUTINE, not missing any am/pm applications, at the same time keeping all other chemicals off my hair ie hair colourants/perms etc. As hairloss is considered a 'cosmetic' problem, many of our everyday physicians just are not sufficiently aware of the most up to date approaches and are patronizingly cynical of these Internet 'hypes', not even recognizing that these very hairloss BRAINS, the physicians most widely associated within this area and most highly qualified too in terms of research, trials and experience are also members of some of the most highly reputed institutions such as American Academy of Dermatology, where reputation is foremost.
Yes, there have been hairloss 'snakeoils' (useless potions) out there, but they do not maintain any credibility for long and these products/companies are soon exposed for their worthless remedies. I hope this may just help somebody out there because it all seems just like a minefield when you initially start to research the reasons for hairloss, and all the treatment options available. I would recommend any hairloss sufferer to really educate themselves with the ready knowledge available for printing on this Internet and read and re-read about hairloss, the treatments, the various physicians and their viewpoints, until they can fully understand what their condition is all about. I promise you it will not take too long before the murky water begins to run much clearer, with each drip of information absorbed.
Good luck to you all and a special thank you to our webmaster for his superb input to this subject of hairloss.
Mariellen.
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #6
Date: 25.05.98
Name: vicky
Email_address: Not Available
Subject: Minoxidol & Nioxin
Submit: Submit
Date: 24 May 1998
Time: 22:59:05
Remote Name: bowerbird.cc.uq.edu.au
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/4.02 [en] (Win95; I ;Nav)
Marie, I have been on Diane 35 combimed with an anti-androgen drug called Cyproterone. I have had great success in the hirsuitism and the acne but so far none with the main problem, female pattern balding. I have just started also using 5%minoxidol in the morning and 5%minoxidol with retin A at nights. Also as far as I know Diane and Cyproterone are not available in the US. A consultant at Dr Lewenbergs office told me it is safe to use Nioxin with minoxidol. Hope this helps.
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #7
Date: jUNE 10 1998
Name: SHELLY
Email_address: N/A
Subject: HAIR LOSS - MINOXIDIL/ROGAINE
Submit: Submit
Date: 10 Jun 1998
Time: 20:48:23
Remote Name: 204.140.187.82
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/3.03 (WinNT; I)
i AM 22 YEARS OLD WITH 75% HAIRLOSS. I HAVE HYPOTHYROID AND AN ABUNDANT OF TESTOSTERONE IN MY ADRENAL GLANDS. I THINK MY HAIRLOSS BEGAN ABOUT 6 -7 YEARS AGO. MY THYROID IS TREATED, AND I AM CURRENTLY ON DEXAMETHASONE WHICH SHOULD PREVENT EXCESS BODY HAIR. I HAVE USED ROGAINE FOR 6 MONTHS WITH NO REAL RESULTS. HELP???? WHAT CAN I USE WHAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE. CAN MY HAIR REGROW COMPLETELY OR MODERATELY? PLEASE RESPOND
SINCERELY, SHELLY
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #8
Date: JUNE 15, 1998
Name: Shelly
Email_address:
Subject: MY HAIR LOSS - ROGAINE / MINOXIDIL
Submit: Submit
Date: 15 Jun 1998
Time: 20:32:05
Remote Name: 204.140.187.145
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.01; Windows NT)
DEAR HAIRSITE I AM ONLY 22 YEARS OLD AND FEMALE WITH 75% HAIRLOSS. I HAVE HYPO THYROID
AND AN ENDOCRINE ADRENAL GLAND IMBALANCE WITH AN ABUNDANCY OF TESTOSTERONE. I HAVE USED ROGAINE
W/OUT ANY SUCCESS. WHAT CAN I DO, OR USE? I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I HAVE A VERY TIGHT SCALP
PROBABLY DUE TO STRESS. THIS IS NOT ALLOWING BLOOD TO GET TO MY FOLLICLES AND NOURISH
THEM, HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? SINCERELY, SM
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #9
Date: 29/07/98
Name: Vicky
Email_address:Email HairSit@aol.com to contact
author of this message
Subject: MINOXIDIL
Submit: Submit
Date: 28 Jul 1998
Time: 22:21:56
Remote Name: 130.102.238.241
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/4.04 [en] (Win95; I ;Nav)
I am 24 and have had androgenic alopecia for about 5 years now. 10 months ago I started
on the birth control pill called Diane 35 and the anti-androgen drug called Cyproterone
Acetate. Both of these are recommended for female pattern baldness. I started using minoxidol
and minoxidol/retin A about 3 months ago. My query is
that after about 7-8 months of being on the treatment it seemed my hair was thinner and am
wondering whether the pill could have caused this as I know that the pill can cause hair
loss in some cases. I reported this to my endocrinologist and rang the manufacturer and
both said that neither of the oral drugs would have caused more hair loss. In the 5 years
I have had hair loss, never have I had such a rapid amount of loss since I started the
drugs. Could this type of pill be causing my increased hair loss?
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #10
Date: 8/9/98
Name: Mariellen
Email_address: Not published
Subject: In reply: - MINOXIDIL ..ET AL..
Submit: Submit
Date: 09 Aug 1998
Time: 14:13:03
Remote Name: webcache.griffin.net.uk
Remote User:
HTTP User Agent: Mozilla/4.02 [en] (Win95; I)
Hello Cheryl.
Barbara Reed did an excellent review in Fitzpatricks's Journal Sept/Oct 94 on "The Pill" (BCP). She listed the following BCPs (birth control pills) as the best for Acne, Alopecia and Hirsutism:
Desogen, Ortho-Cept, Ortho-Cyclen, Ortho-Tri-Cyclen, Brevicon, Modicon, Ovcon-35 and Demulen-35.
I have also seen a reference from another MD who adds Demulen 50 as his considered 'least androgenic'. http://matrix.ucdavis.edu/rxderm-archives/bcps-androgenicity.
,I myself, have found a list of categories containing the BCPs listed above and I have highlighted the pills mentioned in capital letters in relation to their particular estrogen/progesterone combinations.
I have shown the progesterones with the estrogens (estradiols), which have less androgenetic properties, so any of these would be suitable to take in conjunction with an estrogen only hormone replacement. Ladies who still have uterus/ovaries intact are recommended to take a progesterone supplement in conjunction with estrogen, as a protective factor especially against endometrial carcinoma.. Ladies who may be genetically predisposed to balding traits, can process this progesterone in a manner which may ultimately manufacture even more androgen, hence dihydrotesterone. This is the culprit which is now widely considered to have some major responsibility for Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA).
Brand names vary slightly from country to country but your choice of progesterone can certainly play a role in hair loss.
CATEGORY: ETHINYL ESTRADIOL & NORETHINDRONE FDA Approval Pre 1982
Brand Names: Anovlar; Anovulatorio; BREVICON; Brevinor; Brevinor 21; Brevinor 28; Brevinor-1 21; Brevinor-1 28; Ciclovulan; Estrinor; Genora; Jenest-28; Loestrin; Micronor; Milli; Minovlar; MODICON; N.E.E.; Nelova; Neocon; Nodiol; Norcept-E; Norethin; Norimin; Norinyl; Norlestrin; Orlest; ; Ortho 7 7 7; Ortho 1 35; Ortho-Novin 1 50; Ortho-Novum; Ortho-Novum 1 35; Ortho-Novum 1 50; OVCON; Ovysmen; Ovysmen 0.5 35; Ovysmen 1 35; Synphase; Synphasic 28; Triella; Tri-Norinyl; Trinovum; Trinovum 21
CATEOGORY: ETHINYL ESTRADIOL; ETHYNODIOL DIACETATE FDA Approval Pre 1982; Brand Names: Conova; DEMULEN; DEMULEN 50; Metrulen; Neovulen; Ovulen; Ovulen 1 50; Ovulen 50
CATEGORY: ETHINYL ESTRADIOL; NORGESTIMATE
FDA Approved 1989 Dec
Brand Names: Cilest; ORTHO CYCLEN; Ortho Cyclen 21; Ortho Cyclen 28; ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN; Ortho Tri-Cyclen 21; Ortho Tri-Cyclen 28
CATEGORY: DESOGESTREL; ETHINYL ESTRADIOL
Brand Names: DESOGEN; Desolett; Marvelon; Marvelon 21; Marvelon 28; Mercilon; Microdiol; ORTHO-CEPT; Varnoline
A good resource to research these pills: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/desest.htm
The fact that your hair loss is gradual and not rapid, acute loss would almost certainly put your own condition into the classic Alopecia Androgenetica category. I myself have suffered this same problem, firstly ten years ago and also since 1996. My own condition was due to falling levels of estrogen, although I had taken contraceptive pills for over 2o years, immediately followed by hormone replacement. The logic here is that even with supplementation our levels still fall as the ovaries produce less and less estrogen. The problem which you now would appear to have, is how to deal with your thin hair, being most probably a direct result of miniaturized hair follicles. This has been a slow, slow process and your reversal will now also be slow.
The sooner you tackle the problem the more hope of success you will have. I was very lucky, when I first noticed hair thinning I had already had knowledge of Minoxidol. Minoxidol was not a well-known hair-growing product in those days, but I had a friend with Alopecia Areata who had lost all of her hair with the Totalis category. I had visited many hair conferences with her and so the information gained in this venture also proved helpful in my own condition. I managed to regrow all my hair back to normal thickness again. This took complete dedication of twice daily application, even being a bit generous with applications. I was prepared to carry on for a year, but after 5 months I noticed these small spikes of hair in the mirror along each parting and frontal hairline.
I carried on with Minoxidol for another 3-4 years and left it off to go on holiday on an experimental basis. I expected to lose some hair but this did not happen until another 4 years later when I had a total hysterectomy. I consider that the sudden drop in estrogen and or progesterone again triggered off the condition once again. I know that this would not necessarily happen for all other users as Upjohn recommend continued usage, and it may not happen again for me either. I am older now and hormone levels are lower also.
I now use Propecia (finasteride 1 mg), minoxidol 5% and Retin A perhaps three times per week. I also use Folligen about 3/4 times a week. I know finasteride has not received FDA approval for females. However, having listened to the prominent dermatologists who treat the condition daily in their clinics, and who also continue to prescribe for 'suitable' females, I just felt that I had little to lose. The one concern is that female androgen induced hair loss may not involve EXACTLY the same hormonal pathways. This is not yet known by anybody, not the prominent dermatologists, the researchers or even the pharmaceutical companies. There is much research already being undertaken to determine this. If female hair loss is shown to be mediated, to a greater extent by 5 alpha-reductase (the hair follicle enemy ) Type I versus Type II, which is considered more important with male androgenetic balding - (and this is only a theory) then finasteride will not help female androgen induced hair loss. Finasteride will only inhibit production of Type II. If this was proven to be a fact, then females would have to use the other alternative ie an anti-androgen to inhibit the BINDING of DHT to the scalp receptor sites. These two medications work against the same end-product ie DHT but in different ways - finasteride inhibits production of DHT, anti-androgens such as spironolactone prevent DHT attachment.
Finasteride may be more easily tolerated in females and Merck consultants/researchers have shown it to produce progressively thicker and denser hair over time. It would appear that the only side effects could be a possible reduction of libido in some males only, which has been shown to reverse on stopping usage.
5% Minoxidol has been shown to produce more results than 2%, both in terms of responders and also hair density. The only problem with this strength is that sometimes it also produces more scalp itching/irritation. I would personally advise anybody firstly considering this route to get their scalp acclimatised to the 2% for a few weeks, gradually introducing the 5%. I would not recommend including Retin A until your scalp was accepting the 5% minoxidol as this may cause even more scalp irritation. Avoiding as much direct sunlight as possible, especially if using Retin A, is also a must. Sunlight is also best avoided as much as possible if Androgenic hair loss is experienced, due to a biological damaging process.
Folligen has helped my own scalp both in terms of repair, when I have been far too blasé with these medications. Folligen's excellent, copper ion complex, healing properties serve as an anti-inflammatory, reducing immune related damage to hair follicles, promoting a healthy scalp on which to regrow hair. We cannot physically see this inflammation surrounding hair follicle bulbs, but it always shows its presence in scalp biopsies with alopecia conditions.
Dr Loren Pickart at www.skinbiology.com has the patent for Folligen. Dr Pickart's own range of excellent healing products, also used in the field of medicine today, were researched extensively. The only word of caution, which I will mention, is that Folligen will sting broken skin. A scalp which has been badly irritated with Retin A, may have tiny broken areas. I did not realise just how irritated my own scalp was until I felt this stinging. I consider that this effect highlighted just how much I had 'overcooked', in my over-enthusiasm to regrow my hair. However, if you are prepared for this reaction, you will find that it does no harm whatsoever and that your scalp will then heal much faster. Apply at night, and if you use other topical products - 'after' the application of your other products. I usually wait about 10-15 before applying the lotion form. The lotion form versus the cream is probably better for females, or those who have more hair. Personally, I transfer it to an old Minoxidol bottle and use their long applicator (the one which is supplied with Rogaine/Regaine) - adding just a little water if necessary.
Your best route to reversing the hair follicle miniaturization would be to perhaps increase your estrogen supplement a little more, change to a more suitable progesterone and then add either a androgen inhibitor (Propecia) or anti-androgen eg spironolactone at optimal dose of 150 mg - 200 mg. This is a medication which has been used routinely for over 25 years in dermatology clinics for all androgen induced conditions ie acne, excess facial/body hair (hirsutism) and Alopecia Androgenetica.
I have heard Wilma Bergfeld, the first lady President of the American Academy of Dermatology, herself a specialist in this field for over 30 years, speak on this very subject at the last annual meeting Feb 27 - Mar4. She also spoke about some ladies needing a little more estrogen, and that how illogical it was to prescribe a standard amount for ladies of all stature and age.
I have heard David Whiting, another excellent dermatologist, state that the optimal dose for spironolactone would be 200 mg , split am/pm but he would start with a dosage of 150 mg. The only side effects which have been apparent with usage of spironolactone in females, would be some irregularity of menses which could be controlled by a BCP/HRT. In younger females a good BCP may be enough in itself to address the androgen imbalance, in older females this is rarely enough, especially if hair follicle miniaturization has been slowly progressive for a few years. Some ladies also report some lethargy with this medication.
I have no side effects at all with Propecia and I am just beginning to see some fine hair sprouting after almost 4 months. My own hair loss is not severe, only mild thinning and breakage. This regrowth, could be purely the Minoxidol working, of course. If you decide to use Minoxidol, you have to first consider that this just MAY be a very long-term, routine medication. I shall give my own programme a year and then reassess again. If I maintain this early progress, I shall experiment by slowly reducing my present regime and I would include Crinagen as a more regular, safe and 'natural' maintenance plan. Personally, I just felt that I primarily needed something a little stronger to 'kick-start' my regrowth, due to age and hormone levels.
Dr Razack has written an excellent book 'Conquering Hairloss' and I would recommend this to any person who would like to educate themselves across the spectrum of hairloss. It was written by a physician, in due consideration of the patient who may have little, or no knowledge whatsoever in this field. It will be a good investment at $16.95 from his site and I have found it both easy to read and comprehend.
I have previously posted a previous reply today, highlighting the good sense of a professional diagnosis/treatment plan. There are androgen hormone levels, which a dermatologist may also require to be tested. He/she may order this, dependent on personal, professional assessment of your condition. These hormone tests often do not show any abnormality, as androgens do not always display via the body serum. This androgen damage can be transmitted via skin activity also. These tests may possibly be even more relevant for younger females, who just may have an ovarian cyst, another cause of androgen excess.
Finally, I must emphasis that Propecia should not be taken or handled by a female who is either pregnant, or who may potentially become pregnant. This is the same with all the anti-androgens and also all hormone supplements including BCPs/HRT. Damage to the sexual organs of a male foetus, especially within the first three months from conception, is a major concern, so this type of medication should be used only very responsibly and with reliable contraception if applicable.
I have not covered the more acute hair shedding conditions of Telogen/Anagen Effluvium, which can happen at any time, and via other 'triggers', with or without Alopecia Androgenetica. These are acute abnormal losses of hair and can be attributed to many sources, which I will cover in another post. Both Alopecia Areata and Alopecia Androgenetica may be preceded by an acute Effluvium. AA (Alopecia Areata) in the form of an Anagen Effluvium and AGA (Alopecia Androgenetica) in the form of Telogen Effluvium. Hair lost due to a Telogen Effluvium, will recover once the trigger/trauma' has been removed.
I hope this information may just be a little helpful.
Mariellen
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #11
Date: 7/3/98
Name: M.R
Email_address: Not published
Subject: Minoxidil for women
Submit: Submit
Date: 22 Aug 1998
Time: 11:39:17
Remote Name: spider-tf052.proxy.aol.com
Remote User:
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To: Hairsite
To whom it may concern, About 1 1/2 yrs ago I briefly tried the Rogaine for women formula. After just 6 weeks of using the product, I noticed I had sprouted an immense amount of facial hair which I had never had before. My scalp hair has stopped falling out since switching to an over the counter product called Saw Palemtto. Unfortunately the new hair which I sprouted on my face from the Rogaine is still there and I have been given no options to be rid of it other then about 2 years of electrolysis. Do you know of a drug that can reverse this awful side effect and restore the feminine face I once enjoyed? I tried 2 brief electrolysis treatments which left my face scarred. The lasers don't work permanently and do not work at all on blond hair. The face creams are also temp. and they eat my skin. The wax is temp. and leaves most of the hairs left behind and broken off to look like stubble. This has destroyed my self image and hurt me very much mentally. If you have an idea of how I can get my old self back without harming my face any further, PLEASE let me know. Sincerely, M.Reilly
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #12
Date: 8/22/98
Name: David Tse
Email_address: HairStie@aol.com
Subject: Minoxidil for women - RE: MESSAGE 11
Submit: Submit
Date: 22 Aug 1998
Time: 11:48:55
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Dear M.Reilly
It has been known that minoxidil will cause facial hair growth in some women. In fact, in June 1997, according to Channel 9 10 o'clock news in New York City, a Manhattan woman is suing Upjohn for $1.5 million dollars. The woman applied Rogaine for two months on her scalp and started to develop a beard with unwanted hair growing from her eyebrows to her chin. The situation has not stopped even when she terminated using Rogaine.
Unfortunately, I am not aware of any medication that can reverse the condition.
Sincerely
David Tse
HairSite
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #13
Date: 28/8/98
Name: Gab
Email_address: not published
Subject: androgenetic alopecia - MINOXIDIL
Submit: Submit
Date: 28 Aug 1998
Time: 17:55:33
Remote Name: p50.pm3-1.hartingdale.com.au
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It sounds as though you have androgenetic alopecia. Your hair loss has nothing to do
with the water and if you don't do something about it soon, it will probably only grow
thinner. I have learnt that the quicker you treat this condition, the better results you
get. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THINGS GET WORSE. You need to go to a dermatologist to get a proper
diagnosis and the appropriate prescriptions. But beware: not all dermatologists are cluey.
I went to nine doctors and two dermatologists before I was finally diagnosed. I am
currently on Minoxidil 5%, aldactone 200 mg. and Diane.
I had to wait about 5 months to see any results. Now my hair has finally stopped falling
(after 18 months of heavy loss) and I am even regrowing new hair. Good luck!
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #14
Date: 29/8/98
Name: n/a
Email_address: n/a
Subject: MINOXIDIL
Submit: Submit
Date: 28 Aug 1998
Time: 18:40:23
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Hi,
I went to many gp's, naturapaths and one doctor who specialised on diet and
mineral/vitamin deficiencies. I tried everything they gave me. I spent a fortune on
minerals and vitamins as well as in natorapath products. Of course, I was under a lot of
stress at the time which was made worse by my hair loss. My hair continued to fall for 2
years, despite me taking all these things, and even when the environmental stressors,
which I thought were perhaps triggering my hair loss, were removed from my life (I even
was lucky enough to go on a fantastic holiday to Europe for 2 months). But my hair
continue to fall. I was finally diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia. The only thing that
worked for me was conventional medication: ie Minoxidil 5%
and aldactone 200 mg.
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #15
Date: 29/8/98
Name: gp
Email_address: not published
Subject: SIDE EFFECTS - MINOXIDIL
Submit: Submit
Date: 28 Aug 1998
Time: 22:45:34
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Hello Hairsite,
I am 40 year female who was diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia 6 months ago. I first started experiencing severe hair loss 2 years ago, but every doctor I consulted thought it was due to stress!!!
I am currently on Minoxidil 5% twice a day, Aldactone (200) and Diane-35. I started to see wonderful results after 4 months of using these products. My hair now has almost completely stopped falling, and I can evensee new hair growth. I am thrilled and extremely grateful that my horrible nightmare is over, although I am experiencing some side effects.
I have started to grow facial hair on my forehead (particularly closer to my temples), and along my jaw-line. The hair is only very thin - vellus like - and it is not a huge worry (yet!), since I have bleached it and it is hardly noticeable. I am worried however, that it may thicken up and get coarser. I consulted with my dermatologist who suggested a use Minoxidi8l 5% only once a day - either morning or night - and the other time I use Minoxidil 2%. He feels that the Minoxidil 5% might be too strong and perhaps is being absorbed by my system causing the excess hair.
Secondly, I have also started suffering from headaches. I believe that they could be caused by either Minoxidil or Diane-35. Ideally, I would like to know which medication is causing this. I could put up with the headaches, so long as I know that they are not symptoms of something worse to come (ie a stroke or tumour).
Finally, I feel quite lethargic throughout the day.
I could put up with all of these symptoms put together rather than experience the nightmare of hair loss again, but if anyone is familiar with these side effects I would appreciate your comments. It would be reasuring to hopefully find out that they are not going to get any worse.
Thanking you in anticipation,
GP
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #16
Date: 8/29/98
Name: Tom Davidson - FROM NISIM INTERNATIONAL
Email_address: not published
Subject: UNWANTED HAIR FROM USING ROGAINE/MINOXIDIL
Submit: Submit
Date: 29 Aug 1998
Time: 19:16:10
Remote Name: comp21.tcn.net
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You indicated that you had grown hair in unwanted areas of your body specifically your face, after using rogaine. This is a fairly common problem. I work for Nisim the manufactures of a natural hair loss shampoo guaranteed to control hair loss in one week. visit www.nisim.com We also have a product called Kalo which prevents unwanted hair from growing back visit www.nisim.com/kalohair.htm Kalo when used after waxing sugaring or tweezing will prevent the hair from growing back at the rate of about 10% of the hair per kalo/wax session. If you use Kalo after shaving it will only slow the hair growth down. I hope you will try Kalo and share your results with others who suffer from any unwanted body hair ie. (legs, back, ears, bikini line) tom
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #17
Date: October 30, 1998
Name: Ruth Green
Email_address: not available
Subject: Minoxidil and Propecia
Submit: Submit
Date: 30 Oct 1998
Time: 07:10:40
Remote Name: 206.175.241.165
Remote User:
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I had been using Aldactone and Rogaine for about a year with fairly good results on my scalp that has thinning hair on the top. However, the Aldactone appeared to stop working, so I decided to switch to Propecia and Rogaine (5%). Although the Propecia seemed to be working the first couple of months, I seem to be having even more thinning after 5 months on the product. Is it normal to still have shedding after 5 months, or should I give up on Propecia and go back to the Aldactone and Rogaine combination? Maybe a good combination would be Aldactone, Rogaine, and Saw Palmetto.
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #18
Date: 11/13/98
Name: Nancy
Email_address: not published
Subject: BCP
Submit: Submit
Date: 13 Nov 1998
Time: 07:15:27
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HI: Thanks for the information about the BCPs. I am 28 years old and I have always had very thick hair, until about 4 years ago when I started experiencing some hair loss. In this time period I also underwent 2 operations for removal of 2 ovarian cysts from my left ovary, which also had to be removed in the last surgery. Since last year I have been on the pill to suppress ovarian cysts. I had consulted a dermatologist but they did not pay much attention to my hair loss complaint. I did not go back for about 2 years now, but my hair loss continued and now my hair is about 1/3 as thick as it used to be and the loss is very apparent. It has thinned all over, most prominently on the top of the scalp. The doctor had told me tht there was nothing to be done, and this was long before it was visible to anyone other than me! Anyway, I need to know whether I should go back to a different dermatologist, or wait to buy a wig?! Also, I have switched BCPs recently and am now using Triphasil-28. This contains levonorgesl and ethinyl estradiol. Are these especially hair unfriendly? I have experienced very severe loss in the last couple of months since I started using this. I am really at my wit's end and need some advice. Should I stop taking the pill, should I go back to the dermatologist, what are the legitimate hair treatments available, does minoxydil really help? What is Retin-A, and should I be taking supplements like zinc, etc? Also I thought propecia was only for men, is that not true? I am not pregnant and frankly if i lose all my hair it doesn't seem very likely that i will be :-( Thanks for all the information already provided, and I would very much like to hear from someone about my queries. Nancy
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TOPIC 3 - MESSAGE #19
Date: 11-18-98
Name: Denise
Email_address: not published
Subject: hairloss
Submit: Submit
Date: 18 Nov 1998
Time: 07:56:38
Remote Name: 207-172-126-70.s7.as9.nyb.erols.com
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I would like to know more about Minoxidil 5% and Diane 35. It seems that the two treatments have been the most successful for hair regrowth. Please let me where one can get this treatment.
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