Hrt Experiences

[Scarlett]

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone had any positive or negative experiences of HRT? In particular, hair loss/gain. I’ve noticed my hair is getting very thin on top, which is quite distressing. I’m sure it’s hormonal, me being 53. Would HRT be an idea, or do the negative effects outweigh the positives in your opinion?

[Cloverjo]

I’ve got the thinning hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, pubic hair.
I’m on HRT to cope with the night sweats and hot flushes. It works for that, but not so much the hair,

On balance, I’d rather have the HRT than not.

[tiggerblue10]

I'm experiencing hair loss too but not been put on HRT yet. I asked for it and my GP did some blood tests which revealed a very high white blood cell count prompting different tests. Going for an Ultrasound on Monday and waiting for a chest x-ray appointment. I probably won't get HRT until they know what's going on with my blood.

Anyway, I've been using a hair loss shampoo but it's not doing much and I still lose a lot of hair each time I wash it.

[gness]

I was on HRT from mid thirties until my mid fifties. No weight gain...no problems at all and my hair was thick and glossy. I loved being on HRT having had an awful and very early menopause. Gave me my life back.

I had a slight health problem recently.....nothing to do with HRT. The pills given to remedy it made my hair fall out in handfuls so I stopped them. I bought hair thickening shampoo and conditioner and then Plantur 39 which activates hair roots.....it says. The best I found to bring my hair back to normal was RedKen.....or my socialist hair treatment as Dave calls it.

[Buenchico]

Being a fella, I'm clearly no expert here. However I have been using women's (oestrogen-only) HRT patches for a couple of years now, at 6 times the maximum dosage for women and 12 times the minimum one. (It's a medical trial for prostate cancer).

The only side effects that I've experienced have been enlarged breasts and significant weight gain. However a simple bit of calorie-counting has largely dealt with the weight problem (I've lost 10 kg over the past couple of months) and looking like 'The Fallen Madonna with the Big Boobies' simply amuses me ;-)

[gness]

You could amuse us all with a photo, Chris. ;-)

[Buenchico]

^^^ It's not Halloween yet, Gness ;-)

[gness]

I can wait, Chris.....I can wait. :-)

[FatticusInch]

Positives outweigh the negatives IMHO.
I know it’s tough, feel for you but oh the king run it’s the right thing, believe me.
I get that the two main facets that identify a woman visually are her boobs and her hair but stick it out.
You can always get a wig(friend of my partner had so much fun once she embraced wigs) or ‘chicken fillets’(or boob job in dramatic circumstances) or a push-up bra!
Hormones etc and feeling like a frump etc is peripheral, it’s all about the long term goals i.e. longevity and knowing your body as a whole is physically better for it.
Best of luck, you’ll get through it.

[Cloverjo]

Having read the answers after my original one, I wonder if it might be better to plough on through the menopause without HRT. That is what I originally planned to do, but it was just horribly sweaty and anxiety-making. Some women don’t even notice it.
Anyway up, it’s not going to bring your lustrous hair back.

Who’d be a woman? The things we have to put up with!

[Scarlett]

Thanks all. Actually I have high blood pressure so chances are they wouldn’t let me have it. So it doesn’t help hair? Gah!

[Barsel]

Gness, If you come back to this thread, which RedKen shampoo do you use?

[gness]

Hi,Barsel. I'm using Redken Frizz Dismiss. I've always had very straight, shiny hair. After the episode with the pills new hair was growing in slightly curly and frizzy. I tried thickening shampoos but then found Redken was the best for my hair.
The other thing I've started to do is a final rinse with apple cider vinegar in warm water. That's really surprised me. The days I did it my hair was shinier and healthier looking than days I didn't so now I do it every wash.
I think I've read that it also promotes growth. I honestly don't know about that...but the shiny hair alone is happy making. :-)

[Barsel]

Yes, I think Vinegar is known for giving you shiny hair, but not malt vinegar as people keep dipping their chips in your hair!
My dearest friend has bone cancer and her treatment is thinning her hair and she has tried so many products but nothing helps.
I might try the apple cider vinegar myself as since I decided to go grey, my hair seems quite dull.
Thanks for the tip.

[pastafreak]

The key to non-frizzy, curly hair is to air dry it, and don't brush it! Mine explodes and looks like an old brillo pad if I do. I started treating it nicely sbout 6 months ago, and it's much happier. I use some gel on wet/damp hair and scrunch it. Voila! Curls.
As for HRT, I never really considered it. I was primarily a very moody moo. No sweats/flushes or physical symptoms...touch wood.

[gness]

We are all different, Pasta. I had friends who sailed through it. I'm a very calm, laid back person.
When the menopause started I was like a wild, mad woman. I doubt I'd have had a friend left, job or marriage without HRT.

[woofgang]

Its years ago now but when I tried HRT, there was pretty much only two kinds. I refused Premarin on ethical grounds and tried patches which turned me inot a permanently angry and throwing things harridan so I did it the old fashioned way. It wasn't grate but it was a walk in the park compared to the previously many years of PMT and pain.

[gness]

Woof. When I was prescribed patches MrG went to fetch them as I was so ill in bed. He stuck one on my bum. Felt a little better after a while so I stuck on another...till I had five on.
I felt so well and happy for the first time in such a long time that a few weeks in I held a HRT party. :-)

How different we all are which I know male doctors don't give enough thought to.