Comments on: Hair Loss At 20 Years Old, Sarah’s Story http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/ A Community For Women Dealing With Hair Loss - Help, Hope and Understanding Fri, 29 Aug 2008 06:09:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: nikki http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-19233 nikki Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:05:00 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-19233 Hey i am 25 years old and i have been on birth control for 7 years.. since january i have been noticing some serious hair loss, i lose about 250-500 hairs a day, clumps in the shower drain, i brush it after showering and fill up my garbage with hair falling out. its come to a point where i havent worn my hair down in months. im scared to do so. this whole thing really bothering me, n everyone thinks i am crazy, n cant give me any advise, i had my blood checked n everything was fine.. i just dont understand what is going on with me, i feel fine otherwise, its just i cant wear my hair down anymore.. it bothers me alot. i used to lose 10 strands a day n blow dry my hair like crazy... now i cant even remember the last time that i blew my hair out. im debating cutting it off n cry myself to sleep :( i hate that im a hypochondriac too, makes me worry about everything Hey i am 25 years old and i have been on birth control for 7 years.. since january i have been noticing some serious hair loss, i lose about 250-500 hairs a day, clumps in the shower drain, i brush it after showering and fill up my garbage with hair falling out. its come to a point where i havent worn my hair down in months. im scared to do so. this whole thing really bothering me, n everyone thinks i am crazy, n cant give me any advise, i had my blood checked n everything was fine.. i just dont understand what is going on with me, i feel fine otherwise, its just i cant wear my hair down anymore.. it bothers me alot. i used to lose 10 strands a day n blow dry my hair like crazy… now i cant even remember the last time that i blew my hair out. im debating cutting it off n cry myself to sleep :( i hate that im a hypochondriac too, makes me worry about everything

]]> By: Vicky http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-17432 Vicky Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:40:15 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-17432 Hi Sarah Thanks for replying, Canada -umm that sounds great too!, do u want to swap? Anyway i have already seen a trichologist, however he wasn't very good and yours souded alot more knowledgable than the one i had seen so i thought it couldn't hurt to ask. I hope u get the results u are after with the natural approach, in time, keep us posted. Best wishes Vic Hi Sarah

Thanks for replying, Canada -umm that sounds great too!, do u want to swap? Anyway i have already seen a trichologist, however he wasn’t very good and yours souded alot more knowledgable than the one i had seen so i thought it couldn’t hurt to ask.

I hope u get the results u are after with the natural approach, in time, keep us posted.

Best wishes Vic

]]> By: mila http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-17426 mila Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:47:46 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-17426 Sarah, im from perth too...do you mind passing on the details of the trichologist you saw? were they in perth? cheers Sarah,
im from perth too…do you mind passing on the details of the trichologist you saw? were they in perth?
cheers

]]> By: Sarah http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-17419 Sarah Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:34:40 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-17419 Hey Vicki I am sorry to hear about your hair loss troubles, as you know i do feel your pain. Your story sounds alot like mine.. only yours has persisted with the birth of your children, which I am sure for myself the same will occur! I was in Australia, however I was only there for a year, as I went to school in Perth. I envy you for living there permenently... I loved every second of it, and I am determined to go back eventually! I am actually from Canada, however... my tricholgist told me that the school that tricholigsts go to is IN australia, he actually thought that I had someone refer me to him from there! If you do some research, you will mostl likely be able to find lots and lots of tricholgists in australia-especially since alot of research is conducted on hair loss there. I too hope this natural regime will possibly bring some results. I know I have to be realistic and patient however I figured if I have gone through it this long, I can keep going. Hope all is well, and if you need any help finding a tricholgist in your area let me know - however when i was doing my own research on one, i did see many of them were in aussie. take care! Hey Vicki
I am sorry to hear about your hair loss troubles, as you know i do feel your pain.
Your story sounds alot like mine.. only yours has persisted with the birth of your children, which I am sure for myself the same will occur!
I was in Australia, however I was only there for a year, as I went to school in Perth. I envy you for living there permenently… I loved every second of it, and I am determined to go back eventually!
I am actually from Canada, however… my tricholgist told me that the school that tricholigsts go to is IN australia, he actually thought that I had someone refer me to him from there! If you do some research, you will mostl likely be able to find lots and lots of tricholgists in australia-especially since alot of research is conducted on hair loss there.
I too hope this natural regime will possibly bring some results. I know I have to be realistic and patient however I figured if I have gone through it this long, I can keep going.
Hope all is well, and if you need any help finding a tricholgist in your area let me know - however when i was doing my own research on one, i did see many of them were in aussie. take care!

]]> By: Vicky http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-17294 Vicky Mon, 07 Jul 2008 07:01:58 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-17294 Hi Sarah It's great that u are still persisting in finding answers to your hairloss situation. I was on the pill 10 years ago and i did shed approx. 4-6 months later and then it did eventually stop, but i also think that had something to do with me getting pregnant and my hair did respond well to that. However the last 3 years have been difficult after having my third child my hair after breastfeeding and other situations(low iron, stress and health prob) i no longer have the protection that pregancy brings. It doesn't get any easier whether your in your 20's or 30's or 40's. It's consuming me and all the doc's i've being to really do not offer much help, not in my opinion any way. I read that you live in Australia i also live in Australia and would love to know the trichologist u went to as i prefer to treat this the natural way and use the medication as a last resort. I'm currently on some herbal supp. and it has slowed things down and like u i have got some regrowth but it feels and looks miniturised and weak, if this trich. can somehow reverse the miniturisation that would be great!!! but i know that miracles cannot be performed either so i will be realistic in what he says and take in any recommendations. I wish u good luck in your natural regime and i do hope you get all of your hair back in time. Best wishes Vic Hi Sarah

It’s great that u are still persisting in finding answers to your hairloss situation. I was on the pill 10 years ago and i did shed approx. 4-6 months later and then it did eventually stop, but i also think that had something to do with me getting pregnant and my hair did respond well to that. However the last 3 years have been difficult after having my third child my hair after breastfeeding and other situations(low iron, stress and health prob) i no longer have the protection that pregancy brings. It doesn’t get any easier whether your in your 20’s or 30’s or 40’s. It’s consuming me and all the doc’s i’ve being to really do not offer much help, not in my opinion any way.

I read that you live in Australia i also live in Australia and would love to know the trichologist u went to as i prefer to treat this the natural way and use the medication as a last resort. I’m currently on some herbal supp. and it has slowed things down and like u i have got some regrowth but it feels and looks miniturised and weak, if this trich. can somehow reverse the miniturisation that would be great!!! but i know that miracles cannot be performed either so i will be realistic in what he says and take in any recommendations.

I wish u good luck in your natural regime and i do hope you get all of your hair back in time.

Best wishes Vic

]]> By: Sarah http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-17163 Sarah Sun, 06 Jul 2008 01:09:16 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-17163 I just wanted to give a quick update on my situation, and shed some positive light for anyone that is losing hair... as i know myself it is unbeleivably devestating. After this whole ordeal, i tried to get my doctor to recommend me to a derm. she did, however when i called the derm they said that they have no appointments open until JANUARY!! i instantly sat down and told my self, theres gotta be someone else i can see. I started doing some research, and bumped into a site promoting a Tricholgist in my area, who seemed pretty knowledgable in diagnosing hair loss and all-natural treatments. I went and saw him, and all i can say is that i am extremly impressed. there is good news and bad news- the pill triggered AGA. however, he said that the hair miniaturization that exists ( he sat me down and let me view everyhting under the microscope, and explained to me everything, it was unreal) is actually pretty old- which means i had it before the pill, but the pill did cause it to speed up. anyways. after i was able to take that information in, he sat with me for about two hours explaining me the different options i have. he told me how diet and supplements ( when taken very seriously and strictly) can reverse the baldness. he showed me pictures and progresses of his clients, and the results are amazing. he also went through other things (my blood test results, allergies i have/had in the past, etc etc) and also took those into consideration. he is now making me a custom-diet to my needs, plus all natural dht blocker supplments, and topical creams ,and says that i could possible reverse all this...with lots of patience and time of course! Anyways, i get all the stuff next week, and whether or not it works out, i figure at least i'll be health, and feel like i tried! I figure i might as well try the all-natural way instead of going on a medical HT blockers like spiro right away. Considering I am only 22, i dont want to take anything that could possibly stop me from having kids- (it would devestate me! ) anyways, thought i would just tell everyone what I am doing. if it works- great, if not, well at least i tried right!! anyways, also wanted to thank everyone for the great words on this site. its extremly inspirational and heart lifting when going through such a life-changing experience! I just wanted to give a quick update on my situation, and shed some positive light for anyone that is losing hair… as i know myself it is unbeleivably devestating. After this whole ordeal, i tried to get my doctor to recommend me to a derm. she did, however when i called the derm they said that they have no appointments open until JANUARY!! i instantly sat down and told my self, theres gotta be someone else i can see. I started doing some research, and bumped into a site promoting a Tricholgist in my area, who seemed pretty knowledgable in diagnosing hair loss and all-natural treatments. I went and saw him, and all i can say is that i am extremly impressed. there is good news and bad news- the pill triggered AGA. however, he said that the hair miniaturization that exists ( he sat me down and let me view everyhting under the microscope, and explained to me everything, it was unreal) is actually pretty old- which means i had it before the pill, but the pill did cause it to speed up. anyways. after i was able to take that information in, he sat with me for about two hours explaining me the different options i have. he told me how diet and supplements ( when taken very seriously and strictly) can reverse the baldness. he showed me pictures and progresses of his clients, and the results are amazing. he also went through other things (my blood test results, allergies i have/had in the past, etc etc) and also took those into consideration. he is now making me a custom-diet to my needs, plus all natural dht blocker supplments, and topical creams ,and says that i could possible reverse all this…with lots of patience and time of course! Anyways, i get all the stuff next week, and whether or not it works out, i figure at least i’ll be health, and feel like i tried! I figure i might as well try the all-natural way instead of going on a medical HT blockers like spiro right away. Considering I am only 22, i dont want to take anything that could possibly stop me from having kids- (it would devestate me! ) anyways, thought i would just tell everyone what I am doing. if it works- great, if not, well at least i tried right!! anyways, also wanted to thank everyone for the great words on this site. its extremly inspirational and heart lifting when going through such a life-changing experience!

]]> By: Sarah http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-16518 Sarah Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:19:38 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-16518 well it has now been a year since I have been off birth control. How am i doing? to be honest, not that great. At the beginning of this past month, i had an awful shed. I thought I was improving, and then bam - the shed hit. Not only that, i started noticing that the hairs that are falling were noticably thinner at the root end.. almost colourless, and hard to see. This is what depresssed me the most because, from what it seems like, it only points to one thing ... AGA. Althought i do see alot of regrowth hairs that seem like good regrowth, this thinning of hair discourages me, and makes me scared of the future. After this past shed, I started doing some research on the pill that i was on Synphasic - which by the way, is appparently a very unheard of BCP! Although i did not find much on it, i found info through pills that are alot like it (ortho novum 7/7/7). through this very informative charti found out that it was a moderate-level androgen pill. I guess this "moderate" amount was enough to trigger hair loss! I guess it contains Norethindrone and Ethinyl Estradiol, whatever that means. all i know is that what that evil stuff is, its totally ruined my hair! Anyways my mom has finally gotten fed up with me being depressed with my hair, and is coming to the doctor with me to convince her to refer me to a derm. I havent been to a derm because everytime i see her she says "dont worry, your stressed, it'll come back". ... granted, I am super stressed this past couple of months due to a horrible break up, work, and finishing up my degree in university. However.. the thinning of individual strands of hair... not really sure stress does that. anyways, i realize this seems like a super negative post, and i apoligize, but in a way, its really just me coming to terms with the situation, and beginning to learn that i cant keep thinking this whole hair los thing is due to TE, and i cant wait it out. I am realizing that i cant keep waiting, and i gotta fight the health system in order to get the answers i need.. good or bad! sorry this is so long, but i really needed to vent! i hope everyone is doing wonderful... i pesonally decided i am on the way to happiness whether i become bald or not! xo well it has now been a year since I have been off birth control. How am i doing? to be honest, not that great. At the beginning of this past month, i had an awful shed. I thought I was improving, and then bam - the shed hit. Not only that, i started noticing that the hairs that are falling were noticably thinner at the root end.. almost colourless, and hard to see. This is what depresssed me the most because, from what it seems like, it only points to one thing … AGA. Althought i do see alot of regrowth hairs that seem like good regrowth, this thinning of hair discourages me, and makes me scared of the future. After this past shed, I started doing some research on the pill that i was on Synphasic - which by the way, is appparently a very unheard of BCP! Although i did not find much on it, i found info through pills that are alot like it (ortho novum 7/7/7). through this very informative charti found out that it was a moderate-level androgen pill. I guess this “moderate” amount was enough to trigger hair loss! I guess it contains Norethindrone and Ethinyl Estradiol, whatever that means. all i know is that what that evil stuff is, its totally ruined my hair! Anyways my mom has finally gotten fed up with me being depressed with my hair, and is coming to the doctor with me to convince her to refer me to a derm. I havent been to a derm because everytime i see her she says “dont worry, your stressed, it’ll come back”. … granted, I am super stressed this past couple of months due to a horrible break up, work, and finishing up my degree in university. However.. the thinning of individual strands of hair… not really sure stress does that. anyways, i realize this seems like a super negative post, and i apoligize, but in a way, its really just me coming to terms with the situation, and beginning to learn that i cant keep thinking this whole hair los thing is due to TE, and i cant wait it out. I am realizing that i cant keep waiting, and i gotta fight the health system in order to get the answers i need.. good or bad! sorry this is so long, but i really needed to vent! i hope everyone is doing wonderful… i pesonally decided i am on the way to happiness whether i become bald or not! xo

]]> By: mila http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-15889 mila Sat, 14 Jun 2008 07:32:27 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-15889 Hi all.. The past week I broke down after realising that my hair falling out wasnt a seasonal thing like my GP said two months ago. My mum was the first to notice my hair loss at the beginning of MArch (3 months ago), however in hindsight it probably had been falling out for a few months before. I think it started after going on Diane 35, which I began taking in September 2007 (9 months ago). I have seen two different GPs since and all three have said different things. First, it was nothing to worry about, a seasonal thing. The second said that Diane wouldnt be the cause, and bloodwork ruled out any problems with my thyroid or low levels of zinc, although i did have low-normal iron levels (I have since started taking iron supplements, hello black poo!). The third GP I saw a week ago. I brought up my concerns about being on the pill and she said that it is possible that my body cant tolerate the progesterone in the pill, and she suggested to stop taking it. I asked about hormonal imbalances and she said that it wasnt really possible to do one until I came off the pill so as to establish my normal levels. Over the past week instead of studying for exams I have been consumed about my hair and looking for answers. In the research that I have done, it seems that for those who noticed their hair falling out after being on the pill, some have said that after 3+ months of getting off them, they have noticed their hair stop falling out. I guess time will only tell... With everyones hair loss, has the hair been falling out with the root attached? Pretty much all my hair is coming out with the root attached... also I have noticed that over the same period my scalp has been flakey (dandruff?) but with little white balls which are quite unlike dandruff? Next time I see my GP Im meant to get a referral to see a dermatologist if the hair continues to fall out. A month seems like an age when your hair is falling out. When I saw the GP last I also brought up PCOS, as I thought I had a few of the symptoms, crappy oily skin (not acne as such) and I have always been a bit more hairy than your average girl (hirsutism?), and now hair loss. The GP said she had never seen hair loss due to PCOS... Since starting the pill my lifestyle has changed quite a bit, from being really active and playing a lot of sport to absolutely nothing (until two months ago when I started playing soccer again). My diet became pretty shit too, though I havent put on weight. I have read that insulin has a significant impact on hormones, and it is possible that my crap diet and lack of exercise has affected my insulin? I think this insulin thing ties back into PCOS, although I cant remember what it was... Clearly im looking for answers everywhere...I have a feeling that there has been a change in hormones and it is caushing the hair loss, and i just happened to start taking diane at about the same time. In which case it isnt helping the hair loss as it should? My parents are doing their best to cheer me up, also making me eat better...my dad seems to think that taking me on walks and feeding me eggs will seem to help bless him. My mum has just gone to get me some almonds (Im having one of my distraught moments as we speak)....Im seeing a naturopath in a week, I am a sceptic, but i hope she will be able to shed some light on whats going on. This is really awful, and something no one should have to deal with. You all are in my thoughts. good luck Hi all..

The past week I broke down after realising that my hair falling out wasnt a seasonal thing like my GP said two months ago. My mum was the first to notice my hair loss at the beginning of MArch (3 months ago), however in hindsight it probably had been falling out for a few months before. I think it started after going on Diane 35, which I began taking in September 2007 (9 months ago).

I have seen two different GPs since and all three have said different things. First, it was nothing to worry about, a seasonal thing. The second said that Diane wouldnt be the cause, and bloodwork ruled out any problems with my thyroid or low levels of zinc, although i did have low-normal iron levels (I have since started taking iron supplements, hello black poo!). The third GP I saw a week ago. I brought up my concerns about being on the pill and she said that it is possible that my body cant tolerate the progesterone in the pill, and she suggested to stop taking it. I asked about hormonal imbalances and she said that it wasnt really possible to do one until I came off the pill so as to establish my normal levels.

Over the past week instead of studying for exams I have been consumed about my hair and looking for answers. In the research that I have done, it seems that for those who noticed their hair falling out after being on the pill, some have said that after 3+ months of getting off them, they have noticed their hair stop falling out. I guess time will only tell…

With everyones hair loss, has the hair been falling out with the root attached? Pretty much all my hair is coming out with the root attached… also I have noticed that over the same period my scalp has been flakey (dandruff?) but with little white balls which are quite unlike dandruff? Next time I see my GP Im meant to get a referral to see a dermatologist if the hair continues to fall out. A month seems like an age when your hair is falling out.

When I saw the GP last I also brought up PCOS, as I thought I had a few of the symptoms, crappy oily skin (not acne as such) and I have always been a bit more hairy than your average girl (hirsutism?), and now hair loss. The GP said she had never seen hair loss due to PCOS…

Since starting the pill my lifestyle has changed quite a bit, from being really active and playing a lot of sport to absolutely nothing (until two months ago when I started playing soccer again). My diet became pretty shit too, though I havent put on weight. I have read that insulin has a significant impact on hormones, and it is possible that my crap diet and lack of exercise has affected my insulin? I think this insulin thing ties back into PCOS, although I cant remember what it was…

Clearly im looking for answers everywhere…I have a feeling that there has been a change in hormones and it is caushing the hair loss, and i just happened to start taking diane at about the same time. In which case it isnt helping the hair loss as it should?

My parents are doing their best to cheer me up, also making me eat better…my dad seems to think that taking me on walks and feeding me eggs will seem to help bless him. My mum has just gone to get me some almonds (Im having one of my distraught moments as we speak)….Im seeing a naturopath in a week, I am a sceptic, but i hope she will be able to shed some light on whats going on.

This is really awful, and something no one should have to deal with. You all are in my thoughts. good luck

]]> By: N http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-8804 N Wed, 07 May 2008 13:23:22 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-8804 Hi cristina!! i usually spray it on twice a day! once in the morning once in the evening! it can be on either wet or dry hair aslong as you make sure that it has been properly massaged into your scalp! it seems to be working more and more each day! i see new baby hairs and they seem to be growing longer! i am also taking a vitamin for hair skin and nails aswell as saw palmetto! but before i started taking those two i was applying the formula and it was working! have a go of it! see what you think and let me know! i think its wrong for the websites to charge for it! i payed for it because i thought it was worth a try! atleast i can pass the info on for free now! good luck with it! let me know how you go! x Hi cristina!!

i usually spray it on twice a day! once in the morning once in the evening! it can be on either wet or dry hair aslong as you make sure that it has been properly massaged into your scalp! it seems to be working more and more each day! i see new baby hairs and they seem to be growing longer! i am also taking a vitamin for hair skin and nails aswell as saw palmetto! but before i started taking those two i was applying the formula and it was working! have a go of it! see what you think and let me know! i think its wrong for the websites to charge for it! i payed for it because i thought it was worth a try! atleast i can pass the info on for free now!

good luck with it! let me know how you go!

x

]]> By: Maria http://www.womenshairlossproject.com/hair-loss/hair-loss-at-20-years-old-sarahs-story/#comment-6188 Maria Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:20:12 +0000 http://74.53.155.19/?p=55#comment-6188 Hi Angela, Thanks for your resonse! It is a very difficult situation especially being as young as we are! I am planning on a starting a new diet tomorrow. I typically try new things every couple of months when I still notice no re-growth. The newest stuff I have read is basically to increase water intake and take flaxseed oil. I have tried every sort of hair vitamin supplement created with no results. If this works I will post my results. I am also going to start trimming my hair every month. Luckily knock on wood I have never had any balding spots but I am basically dealing with just a significant decrease in the amount of hair and texture. I have heard of people who have lost more hair being pregnant but I also have heard of a massive increase in hair growth. I am not worried about that right now, since I have no plans to have children for now. I just miss my old hair and also find myself like others comparing myself to the women on TV. I can actually name those actresses who have thin hair ex. teri hatcher from desparate housewives. It has consumed me over the years it is awful. I will keep everyone posted if I see any results. Hi Angela, Thanks for your resonse! It is a very difficult situation especially being as young as we are! I am planning on a starting a new diet tomorrow. I typically try new things every couple of months when I still notice no re-growth. The newest stuff I have read is basically to increase water intake and take flaxseed oil. I have tried every sort of hair vitamin supplement created with no results. If this works I will post my results. I am also going to start trimming my hair every month. Luckily knock on wood I have never had any balding spots but I am basically dealing with just a significant decrease in the amount of hair and texture. I have heard of people who have lost more hair being pregnant but I also have heard of a massive increase in hair growth. I am not worried about that right now, since I have no plans to have children for now. I just miss my old hair and also find myself like others comparing myself to the women on TV. I can actually name those actresses who have thin hair ex. teri hatcher from desparate housewives. It has consumed me over the years it is awful. I will keep everyone posted if I see any results.

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