Menu

Progesterone and hair loss

by Sherry

I am very concerned my hair has been shedding for quite some time. I was told that white flour and white sugar "would destroy me" but lately the problem seems to have gotten a lot worse. My hair loss is becoming profuse and I have bald spots. Can progesterone cream help and if so what should my dose be? I am 44 years old. Thanks for your help.

Comments for Progesterone and hair loss

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 02, 2008
 Hair loss
by: Wray

Hi Sherry. Hair loss can be a problem during peri-menopause, which you could be entering judging by your age. In this case it's due to an increase in androgen levels. It could also be due to stress, both mental and physical.

The body reacts to any stress with the same response, including that caused by processed foods. White flour made from any grain, but particularly wheat, and sugar in any form, is extremely damaging to us. So I would avoid those!

Hair loss in a woman is easy enough to reverse. You need to use progesterone to inhibit excess androgens and the stress response. You should also take 1000mg/day of the amino acid N-acetyl cysteine and 2000mg/day of the B vitamin inositol. I think you'll find within a few weeks the hair growing back again. Take care Wray
Feb 13, 2008
 Hair loss and ovarian cysts
by: Anonymous

Was interested to read your comments Wray on hair loss that Sherry is suffering. I too am experiencing thinning of the hair and am on perimenopause, so am now slamming the progesterone cream on after a long break. I shall invest in the supplements you recommend.

My Mother also is losing hair at an alarming rate due to the Warfarin, Beta-Blockers and thyroid tablets she has to take but she is perservering with the cream as last year she was diagnosed with ovarian cysts. They haven't grown any bigger and dare I say the slight lump protuding from her tummy seems to be smaller! I hope I will soon be able to email and say, IT'S GONE! Beverley
Feb 15, 2008
 Hair loss, cysts, Warfarin and beta-blockers
by: Wray

Hi Beverley. Do let me know how you get on, as they are extremely effective at stimulating hair growth. Cysteine is the precursor to glutathione, the most potent antioxidant found in every cell, especially the liver where it helps detox all the toxins we take in. I take it every day as a precaution. Its amazing for skin too, strengthens it, good for wound healing and burns and some research indicates it slows the rate of wrinkles!

I would love to hear if your mother's cysts disappear, but I'm concerned she's is on all those drugs. There's no need for them. Please consider having a hair analysis done. This will show which minerals are out of balance, which in excess and which deficient. There are so many natural alternatives to Warfarin.

Progesterone itself helps thin blood, preventing clots. The same with beta-blockers, as for synthetic thyroid medication, there is strong evidence it causes cancer, there are other safe alternatives. I will give web links below...

http://www.canceractive.com/page.php?n=1671
http://www.townsendletter.com/FebMarch2007/hypothyroid0207.htm
http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/122/thyroid
Apr 03, 2008
 Progesterone cream, Hair loss and Excess Facial Hair
by: Anonymous

Hello, I am experiencing both hair loss on my head as well as extra hair growth on my face and body. Would Natural Progesterone cream help in this instance?

I remember trying some a few years back and it made me bloated within minutes of taking it. I don't know if I put on too much or it was the wrong brand. Thank you.
Apr 11, 2008
 Progesterone cream, hair loss and excess facial hair
by: Wray

It sounds very much like a hormonal imbalance, as you have both loss of hair from your head and excess on face and body. In this instance progesterone will help.

The bloating you experienced was due to an excess of oestrogen. If you have a naturally high level of oestrogen or have been on HRT (hormone replacement therapy), then progesterone will make you more sensitive to the oestrogen in your body. This is caused by progesterone activating the oestrogen receptors, which in turn causes 'oestrogen dominance' symptoms. Some women experience it, others not at all.

These are some of the symptoms you could experience when first using it:

nausea
mild depression
bruising
dizziness
headaches/migraines
aches and pains
hot flushes
bloating/weight gain due to water retention
constipation
tiredness
breast tenderness
spotting
a period which comes either earlier or later than usual
skin problems
hypoglycaemia

If any of these symptoms do occur, please either increase the dose and persevere with the symptoms, which will disappear shortly, or reduce the dose considerably to begin with and then gradually increase it over a month or two.

All the successful studies done on progesterone use between 100mg to 200mg per day. This equates to 3ml to 6ml of Natpro per day. Some go as high as 400-600mg/day, one going as high as 1200mg/day as it was the oral variety. Hope this helps Take care Wray
Mar 31, 2009
 18 and need help with my hair!
by: Anonymous

This site is very useful for me first of all, thank you! I am 18 and over the past months experienced a ton of hair loss, cold hands and feet, depression, itchiness, weight gain, feeling bloated, and trouble breathing.

I took birth control for about 5 months but I realized I was gaining weight and didn't like it so I stopped. After that I started gaining more weight and all my symptoms got worse. Before I started the birth control I had very thick hair and was very skinny (too skinny to the point I had not gotten my period in 4 months).

What would be the best suggestion? I got my thyroid tested and it came back a little low (hypothyriodism) but they told me it was nothing to worry about right now. I need help what do you suggest?
Apr 09, 2009
 18 and need help with my hair!
by: Wray

Thanks for your kind words! We now have a web page devoted to the adverse side affects experienced by Pill users, please have a look at it:

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/contraceptives-research.html

The Pill and HRT can cause insulin resistance, which is behind the weight gain. The Pill also suppresses progesterone production, which would be the reason for the other symptoms you have. Your hypothyroidism is probably due to the insulin resistance, which slows down every organ, as it's not getting the glucose it needs to function normally.

The progesterone will help slightly with blood sugar problems, but you really need a mix of nutrients to reverse this. Try taking 8000mg/day of the amino acid glutamine and 4000mg/day of the B vitamin inositol, this should help. A full list of the nutrients which help is on our web page for PCO, please have a look at it:

https://www.progesteronetherapy.com/faq-pcos.html

Take care, Wray.
Jun 15, 2009
 Hair loss and possible causes
by: Diddelmaus

For about 15 years I have been suffering from hair loss and thining hair. I went to Dermatologists, they told me that it is heraditary without even taken any blood and checking it out. I know that stress has to do with hair loss and as I have found out on my own, about a month ago, that three issues are likely to be a factor with hair loss:

1. TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
2. Dihydrotestorone (DHT)
3. Progesterone

I have been trying for years to find the cause of the problem. Especially as a female, hair loss is a big issue. None of the primary care doctors was able to help me and I have spend lots of money on vitamins for the hair, tinctures etc. I have been under a lot of stress, which has probably something to do with the problem, too. In addition, I had goiters and in 2004 my thyroid was removed and cancer was found on it. I have to take a TSH replacement hormone since I don't have a thyroid anymore. I am getting check ups and I am fine, but the hair problem is bothering me.

I just don't understand why any of the doctors I consulted hadn't checked my Progesterone in the blood! Right after I read the article on hair loss and that 75% of hair loss and thining has to do with low Progesterone, I went to my primary care doctor and asked him to check my Progesterone level. According to him, the "regular range for Progesterone" is in a range of 3.3 to 26. My result for progesterone came back with 0.8! Which, without saying, is like almost non-existant! I just wonder why I had to ask for a check of my progesterone - I had to find out about this on my own and ask for a blood check on it!

I got a prescription from my doctor, and I am hoping that the hair loss/thining will stop. I have also read that it takes a while for the hair to grow normal again - it is not a quick fix. But I am hoping that the hair will start growing again, only time will tell. I have started to do meditation and breathing excercises to help with stress and anxiety.

I don't believe all these tinctures etc. do anything really. I am taking vitamins especially for the hair and I am taking Saw Palmetto, which is supposed to combat the effects of DHT. I don't know how things will work out, but I highly suggest to have the above mentioned hormone levels checked.

Carola
Feb 07, 2011
 hair loss after progestrone
by: want hair back

I had a hormone salvia test done a year ago that showed that I was estrogen dominant so I got on Progestrone cream and 100 mg- 200 mg pills to take at night. I did not have any problems with my hair falling out but within the last six months my hair became brittle and dry and then it seemed like it was shrinking and it was. I have had half my hair fall out rapidly increased within the last three months and it became thinner and thinner and the texture changed even breaking off. I had my thyroid tested and it is hypothyroid. Could the progestrone I have been taking caused any of this ? The hair problems? Or the thyroid problems? Should I quit the progestone?- I stil have normal periods and I am only 41. I have not gone through the change yet.
Feb 10, 2011
 Is Progresterone safe if you have had Breast Cancer?
by: Nancy

Do you think progesterone cream is safe for me? I am 41 and I had triple negative breast cancer at age 38. I have always experienced thinning hair (except for when I was pregnant. It was thick). I've gone to the doc on many occassions trying to figure this problem out and have been told the same. It's hereditary.
Feb 20, 2011
 hair loss after progestrone
by: Wray

Hi there Oral progesterone is not the best Delivery system, as most of the progesterone is destroyed by the gut and liver. I believe you are still oestrogen dominant, hence the hair problems and probably the thyroid problems too, oestrogen adversely effects the thyroid, see here, here, here and here. The amount of progesterone is important, I recommend 100-200mg/day, but in a form which is well absorbed. For more info please see our page on How to use progesterone. Please have a vitamin D test done, this vital nutrient is low in most of us. A low level reduces the benefits of progesterone and adversely effects the thyroid. For more info please see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. Please consider taking the following nutrients to help your hair, 2000mg/day N-acetyl cysteine, 2000mg/day inositol, 2-3mg/day biotin and 100mg/day thiamine (B1). Take care Wray
Feb 20, 2011
 Is Progresterone safe if you have had Breast Cancer?
by: Wray

Hi Nancy It's interesting your hair was thick when pregnant, progesterone levels are very high in pregnancy. It rises from 5-20ng/ml produced during the luteal phase, to over 400ng/ml in the third trimester. Which rather puts paid to the idea it's hereditary. It's certainly safe for you, but please see our page on Cancer and progesterone for confirmation from the studies. Please have a vitamin D test done, this vital nutrient is low in most of us. A low level is implicated in 20 different cancers, plus it reduces the benefits of progesterone. Vitamin D is also needed for the anagen phase of hair growth. For more info please see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. You could consider taking the following nutrients needed by the hair, 2000mg/day N-acetyl cysteine, 2000mg/day inositol, 2-3mg/day biotin and 100mg/day thiamine (B1). If you should consider progesterone, please see our page on How to use progesterone. Take care Wray
Apr 10, 2012
 Inositol
by: Suzanne Dom

Hi Wray,

Thank you so much for this website!

In your first answer to Sherry you reccomenden using 2000mg/day of Inositol. I am struggling with hair loss as well. And I've been using about 70mg of Natpro a day for three months... guess that was not enough, some symptoms got worse. Which seems to be solved by using about 1000mg a day this cycle. But the hair keeps falling out. I Added 500mg of n-acetyl cysteine a day this cycle (it's been about a week). Concidering getting the B vitamin too.

I read somewhere that all the B vitamins should be taken together and never separately to prevent deficiency symptoms developing. What are your thoughts on that? And, is it safe to be using this dosage of Inositol?

Thanks again,
Suzanne
Apr 30, 2017
 SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS AND FACIAL HAIR & LOSS OF HAIR
by: Barbara

I have severe osteoporosis plus too much testosterone as I grow facial hair around my chin. I would love to know what treatment would help before they put me on FOSAMAX.

I READ SOMEWHERE THAT IF I TAKE HIGH ENOUGH PROGESTERONE MY HAIR PROBLEM WOULD RESOLVE ITSELF.

FORGOT TO SAY I LOOSE HAIR ON MY HEAD AS WELL. IT IS SO THIN ALREADY. PLEASE HELP. I HAVE USED YOUR CREAM IN THE PAST BUT THE HAIR ISSUE DIDN'T OCCUR BUT PERHAPS I WASN'T TAKING TOO LITTLE AND THEN OF COURSE BEING TOLD NOW I HAVE SEVERE OSTEOPOROSIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP.

HOPE IT COMES SOON SO I CAN GO BACK TO MY DOCTOR AS WHAT I WOULD LIKE.

BARB

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Benefits of progesterone.

Share this page:
Find this page helpful? Please tell others. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.

Search over 8,400 pages on this site...