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Re: Hairloss
From: Cheryl (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Thu, 10 Jul 2003 14:20:13 -0500 (CDT)
At Thu, 10 Jul 2003, tammy wrote:
>
>Hello, I am a victim of PCOS also. I am currently taking Yasnim birth control. My hair loss was terrrible a few months ago. Anywhere from 100+ a day. Scary. I am 36, and afraid of going bald. My Dr. doesn't believe in herbs, but I have found that taking them with the Yasnim has helped slow my loss down a lot. I am currently taking Coral Calcium, Biotin, HSN-W, Vitamin E, and I drink 16oz of Soy Milk a day. I also will be starting to take Black Cohosh this week. I feel in my case that a combination of all of these, are what I can attribute to the slowing down of my hair loss. I also use Rogaine. My Dr. has me using the Men's Rogaine. He says the only difference is that it was never tested on woman. I use one dropper a day. I was concerned about it maybe growing facial hair, but the Dr. says it will not. Haven't noticed any yet. Oh, I also use a herb shampoo. A lady that has helped me out a great deal is Joyce McDowell. You can contact her at anonymous@obgyn.net She deals in a brand of herbs from Natures Sunshine. I really have great confidence in her. She has overcome cancer, buy using herbs, and gives you a list of books that you can read. I buy all my herbs from her site. Please check her out. IF anyone has anymore advice on herbs, please email me at anonymous@obgyn.net Thank you and Good Luck
>
>>> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Barbara
> To: Multiple recipients of list PCOS-MEDICATION
> Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2003 10:35 AM
> Subject: Re: Hairloss
>
> Regarding hairloss, I totally agree with Melanie that the Glucophage is
> causing it. I have had exactly the same experience. Furthermore, I
> have been on this medication for 6 months, and only ovulated normally
> for the first month. I am not seeing any other positive side effects at
> all, only negative ones, with the hairloss one being the absolute worse.
> I do not think I can stand it much longer, and will probably quit the
> Glucophage soon. Also, another weird thing is that I was doing fine on
> a high-protein diet before the medication, and since I've been on it I
> can hardly stomach protein foods now, so it is almost like the
> medication is undermining my nutrition that way.
>
> At Thu, 25 Apr 2002, tera wrote:
> >
> >Hi!
> >
> >Glucophage has helped many out in the hair loss department. It works
> >differently with every woman since every woman with PCOS has a different
> >hormone mix. Glucophage is not an anti-androgen so it may not give you
> >all of the results that an anti-androgen might (they can help with
> >excess body and facial hair and can help with head hair loss) but it may
> >help with some hair difficulties by getting your insulin under control.
> >
> >My guess is that the Glucophage is NOT the problem. My guess is that
> >your PCOS is simply progressing. Yes, your insulin is probably being
> >helped by the Glucophage thus helping your PCOS at the source but
> >Glucophage is not a PCOS cure and not all of your symptoms will go away
> >or stop progressing simply because you are taking it. Take me for
> >instance -- Glucophage is helping me since I am now able to get normal
> >monthly periods after not being able to get them at all. I am still
> >losing hair (although it does seem to be slowing down a SMALL bit) and I
> >am currently taking Glucophage, 100 mg per day of Spironolactone and Saw
> >Palmetto (a supplement thought to have anti-androgen properties). PCOS
> >is a progressive disease and Glucophage is not a cure for our hair
> >problems but it should not be the cause of it. My guess is that if you
> >stopped taking Glucophage you would still continue to lose hair at the
> >same rate and it may continue to get worse since your PCOS seems to be
> >progressing in that area like mine is. I would suggest asking your
> >doctor for an anti-androgen medication to help with your hair loss. Many
> >women take Spironolactone or Aldactone for this (you may have to tinker
> >with the dosage and it takes a while to notice any difference because of
> >the life cycle of hair). Some women even take Propecia (supposed to be
> >stronger than Spiro with different side effects -- however you cannot
> >get pregnant while taking it and will need double barrier protection).
> >You may also want to consider Saw Palmetto used in conjunction with an
> >anti-androgen med. You can buy it almost anywhere (get the kind that
> >contains the fatty acids and the sterols and take the max per day
> >dosage). I'm in the same boat as you. I hate hair loss almost more
> >than any other symptom so far. Hope it works out. God bless, Tera
> >Feel free to e-mail for support. jasonandtera@att.net
> >
> >At Tue, 23 Apr 2002, EMB wrote:
> >>
> >>Anyone else have a different experience? I am thinking about giving
> >>Glucophage a shot (GP suggested it) since I have had a lot of migraine
> >>problems with the pill. Other than general health, my main concern is
> >>hairloss.
> >>
> >>Thank you.
> >>EMB
> >>
> >>At Tue, 23 Apr 2002, anonymous wrote:
> >>>
> >>>I didn't really get into reading everyone's post on this but I would
> >>>have to say that since I have been on Glucophage for over a year now, I
> >>>am losing LOTS more hair than I EVER DID. I use to have a thick head of
> >>>hair now, it is getting thinner and thinner every day.
> >>>
> >>>My diet has not changed, I don't have stress. My life has stayed the
> >>>same from the time I went on the Glucophage until today. I can't stand
> >>>to take a bath then wash my hair in the tub. There are SO many hairs,
> >>>it is sickening to me. IT NEVER was like that before the GLUCOPHAGE!
> >>>
> >>>I KNOW that is what the problem is. I have had my thyroid tested and
> >>>anything else you can think of trying to get my PCOS diagnosis. Nothing
> >>>is wrong other than the Glucophage.
> >>
> >>--
> >>Melanie
> >>
> >--
> >Tera
> >
>
> --
> Barbara
Hi, Glucophage was my first medication that I took when I found out I
was a PCOSer. I was on it for a few months and felt like I was loosing
hair like crazy. I got so depressed. I literally thought that I would
be bald in a matter of months. I went to my doctor and told him I
wasn't really liking Metformin and asked if there was anything else I
could try instead. He told me that if I was not trying to conceive I
should try the Birth control pill out. I have been on Yasmin now for
about 1 year and feel completely different. I don't feel like I am
loosing my hair. I mean, there is still hairs that fall out, probably a
little more than a normal person, but I can tell you that it doesn't
worry me at all anymore. I saw a post above that metioned she was on
Yasmin as well as other herbs and rogain, and her hair has slowed down a
bit. I would have to say that it is probably the Yasmin Birth Control
Pill that helps with that. Also, it has helped the hair on my body
become very light and hardly noticable. I still shave my stomach
though. I don't do anything to my chest or neck anymore, I used to have
dark hair on them and it was very noticable. It is very fine and blonde
now. That has made me very happy. The stomach problem is pretty easy
to deal with, I just shave it. Anyways, If Glucophage or Metformin is
really not working well with your body and you are not trying to
conceive at this time, I would give yasmin a try.
-Cheryl
--
Chereal
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