estrogen level

[anna]

Hi doctor redmond, I am 40 and I wanted to know if my estradiol levels can be causing hair loss? My tests show my levels can be as low as 40 and have been as high as 217. If this means my hair is responding to my fluctuating estradiol can I use bioidentical estrogen and progesterone instead of birth control and why or why not. thank you, anna

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

Hi doctor redmond, I am 40 and I wanted to know if my estradiol levels can be causing hair loss? My tests show my levels can be as low as 40 and have been as high as 217. If this means my hair is responding to my fluctuating estradiol can I use bioidentical estrogen and progesterone instead of birth control and why or why not. thank you, anna

Estrogen normally fluctuates during a cycle form about 40 to as much as 400.

So-called bioidentical hormones are best avoided. The same natural hormones are available by prescription in more reliable forms that are usually covered by insurance. Many so-called bioidenticals made by compounding pharmacies have testosterone in them and make hair worse.

Details on estrogen replacement are in my book. It is best to see a menopause expert who uses standard transdermal estrogen.

[anna]

transdermal estrogen

Hi doc redmond I just finished reading your book and I wanted to know if I can use transdermal estrogen and progesterone. I am 40 and really do not want to go on the birth control pill. My estrogen fluctuations might be the reason for my hairloss and my monthly periods have been very light for the last 7 months, I usually have a 2 day light bleed. I do not have oily skin or acne. Will vivelle dot or menostar help me? My estrogen has been as low as 40 and as high as 250. thank you for helping, anna

[Geoffrey Redmond, MD, FACE]

Hi doc redmond I just finished reading your book and I wanted to know if I can use transdermal estrogen and progesterone. I am 40 and really do not want to go on the birth control pill. My estrogen fluctuations might be the reason for my hairloss and my monthly periods have been very light for the last 7 months, I usually have a 2 day light bleed. I do not have oily skin or acne. Will vivelle dot or menostar help me? My estrogen has been as low as 40 and as high as 250. thank you for helping, anna

Birth control pills contain modified forms of estrogen and progesterone as does the combination of an estrogen patch and oral Prometrium. However the later are designed for women who are no longer menstruating, generally women in menopause. If taken by a woman who is cycling, they tend to cause frequent irregular bleeding and so are not an appropriate treatment. There is also the problem of extra estrogen affecting the lining of the uterus so using estrogen replacement or progesterone while still having periods is not usually a good idea. There are exceptions but only in special situations that need to be assessed by specialist.

The birth control patch, OrthoEvra has been linked to an increased risk of clots and so is not a good choice in any circumstances.

During a normal cycle, estradiol levels vary from about 30, sometimes even less, to about 400 later in the cycle. So measurements of estradiol in normally cyclic women vary greatly and do not usually give helpful information.

Birth control pills are considered acceptable for non-smoking women until about age 50, but input from an experienced physician is necessary for an individual women to decide if this is a good option for her.

Best regards