Which hormone replacement is best for hairloss?

[Jen]

I recently tried the Combipatch and had a terrible shed. It has slowed down quite a bit since I discontinued use of the patch. Is there any hormone replacement that can help with my menopause symptoms that will not cause my hair to fall out?

[Laurel]

I started on the Combipatch in June of this year and my hair loss has been significant since that time. The doctor told me that it helps some women with hair loss and hurts others, about 50/50. Did you discontinue the Combipatch cold turkey? I think I'm going to quit it as well.

[Jen]

Yes, I stopped cold turkey. The hair loss slowed down with a week. I still shed, but not in the copious amounts that I was on the patch. I am waiting on a reply from Dr. Redmond regarding which replacement might be hair friendly since I am now beginning to have the night sweats and flashes return with a vengence.

[Laurel]

Jen, thanks for the reply. I have discontinued use of the Combipatch this weekend. I'm not sure it will help my hair loss, but something tells me it sure wasn't helping.

[Jen]

Hi Laurel,
Good luck! I hope that stopping the patch helps. I know it is frustrating. I feel so much better on the hormones, but I really don't want to lose any more hair! Someone told me that the vivelle dot and oral prometrium was a lot better choice in HRT. I am still waiting on a reply from Dr. Redmond. I would like to try the vivelle dot but would like someone tell me it won't worsen my hairloss. My OBGYN does not think that any of the hormones and hairloss are related. I KNOW that my hair sheds are related to homones-would just like to find something that evens hormones out! Again, good luck to you.

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

I recently tried the Combipatch and had a terrible shed. It has slowed down quite a bit since I discontinued use of the patch. Is there any hormone replacement that can help with my menopause symptoms that will not cause my hair to fall out?

Combipatch has a progestin in it that has slight testosterone-like activity. Using hormone replacement to help alopecia is discussed in detail in my book, It's Your Hormones.