Hello. My name is Lisa. I have been experiencing hair loss for a few months now and really need advice from women who have been through it. Firstly, I was wondering if you could recommend any good doctors in Massachusetts and if there are any support groups where you can meet with other women in person.
I hope its ok that I am telling you this personal information. I am really desperate for advice and have not found a good dermatologist yet that will help me. Plus it is like pulling teeth to get a referral with my health clinic.
I will try to tell you briefly of my hair loss story. I had an abortion in the beginning of April 2007. After the procedure (which was done by the medical abortion pill) I did not get my period for approximately two months and notice sometime in May or June that my hair seemed to be drying out. In July I started shedding abnormal amounts of hair in the shower and on my brushes. I have always been a big shedder but this was much more than normal. I went to my primary care and she did blood work for a thyroid and it came back “normal”. I just shrugged it off to be stress.
On top of the abortion at that time I was suffering from severe stress due to my job. My boss literally verbally abused me on a regularly basis, plus I was a paralegal so that is a stressful position on its own. Basically every aspect of that job for the two years I worked there was stressful. Come the month of August my hair was starting to really really dry out and break. By September I freaked out because it was broke everywhere and I was still losing hair. At this point it was noticeable how thin my hair got. I normally have thick wavy hair. There is no type of baldness that runs in either side of my family, even the men. My family on both sides have very thick hair.
In September I seen one doctor who told me I had telogen effluvium do to stress and a terminated pregnancy I had in April. I wasn’t satisfied with his diagnosis so I went to Dr. Howard Baden (who is supposedly this fabulous doctor known worldwide) and he was an awful mean man with the worst bedside manner I have ever experienced. I was in tears when I left his office because of the way he treated me. Just by briefly looking at my scalp he said “female pattern baldness” but it was very unclear if it was a definite diagnosis or an educated guess. I have been losing hair all over my head not just one spot and it isn’t coming out in clumps. I have two spots on the crown of my head that have definitely gotten thinner and receded back but they have always been pretty thin. I couldn’t even ask him questions because he would shoot me down every time. He did tell me to send in a hair sample and I will have the results this Monday, November 5, 2007. Should I ask for a scalp biopsy too?
I am really scared and don’t know how to deal with this. I just got over dealing with a very traumatic experience I don’t know if I can handle this one too. Does this sound like female pattern baldness? I don’t know where to go from here. Please help me.
Thank you,
Lisa
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Dear Lisa,
I read your email probably 10 times to fully understand and absorb everything you wrote, and I am really very sorry you have had to endure so much. I am completely unfamiliar with the abortion pill so I had to do a cursory search for it in Google to learn more about it. I did read that Mifepristone (abortion pill) blocks the hormone progesterone needed to maintain the pregnancy. It doesn’t state for how long the progesterone hormone is blocked and I’m not sure if the duration of time would matter anyways in regards to you hair since it logically seems this was the precipitating factor. Obviously I am not a doctor and cannot state that definitively, it just fits the timeline. It seems that any slight change or drastic change in a women’s hormones can cause hair loss. In my opinion “blocking of progesterone” qualifies as a change in the hormones.
The hair loss can be temporary, you could be experiencing telogen effluvium similar to postpartum hair loss. The possibility also exists that it could be androgenetic alopecia (female pattern baldness). For reasons well beyond my comprehension, sometimes a change in hormones from getting on a pill or off a pill or even having a child, can kick in androgenetic alopecia prematurely. So how do you know which category you fall in? The lucky women who have shedding and it all grows back? or the other group who get a diagnosis of female pattern hair loss from the change in hormones? I think you need to find a doctor who is knowledgeable about identifying hair follicle miniturization. Women who have female pattern hair loss have miniturizing hair follicles. Usually when the hair sheds it grows back slightly thinner each time. For myself, I can tell simply by examining my shedded hair that it is thinner and has less pigment than it did prior to the hair loss. You mentioned they took a hair sample and you are waiting for the results. What did they say they were going to test on it? Usually the doctor can determine hair miniturization in the office while you are there. As far as the scalp biopsy, I’ve just recently learned from reading Andrea’s Hair Loss Story that it can prove to be very useful in diagnosing the cause of hair loss. It definitely is probably something worth considering and talking to your doctor about.
I unfortunately do not know any doctors who specialize in hair loss that are located in Massachusetts. I’m hoping that perhaps another women will be able to help out with a recommendation for you. I think it is completely awful that you were unable to ask your questions to the doctor you visited. I cannot stand physicians who behave in such an arrogant and idiotic manner. I have become so jaded and fed up with physicians, after having seen so many rude ones for my hair loss, that I will talk back, shout and argue with a doctor who treats me with no respect, and in the very least simple consideration and kindness. You learn that in the first grade right? How did they get though medical school with out having to take a refresher course in bedside manner?
I understand why you are scarred. Losing your hair is definitely a scary thing and it can be very overwhelming, upsetting, and stressful. The best thing is to really find a good doctor who really understands the causes and treatments for women’s hair loss. And also a doctor that is caring, that listens and can explain everything in detail with you. You definitely need a doctor who undestands the emotional devastation of hair loss and doesn’t just treat you like you came in for a scraped knee. I always say this, but I’ll say it again. Good doctors are hard to find, but they do exist. They are not miracle workers, there is no cure for female pattern hair loss, but they can provide a proper diagnosis, and explain to you your options for treatment.
I really hope other women will be able to provide some more insight and perhaps a recommendation for a physician. Please let me know about the results from hair test they were doing. I’m curious to know what they were testing for and what they tell you. Don’t give up hope. You don’t even know for sure yet whether or not this is temporary. If it isn’t temporary, you do have options for treatment. It took me awhile to figure it out, but speaking from experience, having androgenetic alopecia doesn’t mean your destined to be bald and it doesn’t mean your life is over. Try and remain positive, however impossible of a task that may seem. I think it helps.
~Y
Technorati Tags: abortion, hair loss, telogen effluvium
November 4th, 2007 at 2:28 am
I am not sure what type of hair loss you have, but usually Telogen Effluvium happens 3 months after a stressful event, or after a change in hormones (like stopping the pill). So that seems to coincide with taking the abortion pill and seeing a lot of hair loss 3 months later. Because of all the extra hair that falls out, it can take several more months before you would see results from new hair growing back in. Does the hair that is falling out have little white bulbs on it? That would indicate Telogen Effluvium.
I’m not exactly sure about hair breaking off. That is different than TE. Assuming you haven’t dyed it or caused damage to it, I’m not sure what it could be. Sorry, my hair loss knowledge is a bit rusty.
I’ve also had bad experiences with doctors. I’m going to see if I can find a Trichologist in my area to visit, since they specialize in hair loss. I saw one in LA and found him to be much more knowledgeable than Dermatologists about hair loss. Otherwise, you could do what I’ve done in the past also, and call up like 20 Dermatologist offices and ask if the doctor specializes in hair loss.
November 5th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
Thank you so much for all of your advice. I unfortunately I called the doctor’s office today and they said it would be another week for my results. I am going to call again tomorrow to see exactly what they are testing for. I am so glad that this website exists to help women during this difficult time. I will keep you posted about the test results. Thanks again. Lisa
November 13th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Hi Lisa - I was wondering if you got back your test results yet and what they found out. Keep us updated. Thanks.
November 16th, 2007 at 9:59 am
Hello. Well I finally got my test results back and the doctor said it was not female pattern baldness. I am not even sure what he was looking for in the strand test. He said that I had some breakage to the strands and some bulbs at the root. The doctor also told me that some people just cannot have long hair (which I have always had short to shoulder length hair and it was finally long). He never gave me any type of diagnosis, like Telogen Effluvium which is what I am assuming it was and the first doctor told me it was. I am still awaiting a call back from his office to get a diagnosis because when the doctor called me (mind you at 9:45pm on a Monday night) I was so tired and excited that my tests came back negative I never really thought to ask to many questions.
I also went to a nutritionist who looked at my blood and said I was anemic and my coritsol levels where too high. The nutritionist believes I have adrenal fatigue based on my blood results and the other symptoms as well as hypothyroidism. At this point I don’t know what to do. I have been taking supplements and eating much healthier, but I am not sure if I should see another doctor as well as get a scalp biopsy. Any advice?
November 16th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Hi Lisa, Well not being diagnosed with female pattern hair loss is a good thing, so congratulations on that! I just wish I understood more what and how they tested your hair. Are you content with your physician and comfortable in his diagnosis? It’s confusing because he didn’t give you any diagnosis. Not being able to grow your hair long and having it thin are two totally separate things. Years ago I saw multiple doctors because I never was completely satisfied with how the doctors conducted their examine and their total lack of caring. Maybe I was in denial and hoping to find the doctor who would tell me what I wanted to hear. You have to go with your gut and what you feel. If you still have doubt and questions then definitely see another doctor and talk to that doctor about the possibility of a scalp biopsy. I’ve never had one myself, but for some women it is instrumental for them in determining the cause of their hair loss.
I’m glad to hear you are taking better care of yourself by taking supplements and consulting with a nutritionist. I definitely think all those things help to produce the best possible environment for your hair.
Thanks for keeping us posted.
~Y
November 20th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Hello:
So I finally heard back from the doctor and my diagnosis was Telogen Effluvium. I asked how they came up with this and the assistant said the Dr. examined the hair sample and he just knows. I guess I am going to except that for now because my hair loss has slowed down since I started to relax and take better care of myself.
I am really grateful that I found a site that is so informative and supportive.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Dear Lisa,
I am really glad that you are ok now. I am PRAYING that I have TE, and not FPB. I have always had thick hair, and in summer all over sudden it started getting thinner. I am devastated and keep delaying going to the Doc. Did you by any chance get thinner hair at the vortex (the crown of your head), where you can almost feel it get thinner. Also, did you have thinner hair at the nape of your head? Thank you, I would really appreciate any input on that.
-Talia
February 12th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Hi Talia:
I have always had very thick hair as well. It has been about 7 ½ months and it is still coming out but the thing is I am not sure of what is normal anymore, if it is normal to lose the 10-20 with shampooing and combing not counting it falls out during the day too. As for the TE diagnoses I never actually lost clumps of hair which I thought that was what TE was it was just a lot more than normal. I would say that the overall density of my hair is thinner and the most noticeable is my temples my crown has not seemed to thin out much or get wider. Looking back at pictures my temples have always been pretty thin but they are worse now. The last derm I went to see said as of right now and this was in December I do not see AGA but that does not mean it isn’t underlying. She told me to come back in March for a follow-up which I plan on doing and this time I am getting the scalp biopsy done. I suppose that is the only way to truly know if it is TE or both TE and AGA. I will keep you posted with my results.
How long has your hair been coming out for? Did you ever get a diagnosis?
Take care,
Lisa
February 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am
Lisa,
Did you end up going to a different derm in Massachusetts? I was referred to Dr. Baden by a different dermatologist but after reading so many bad things about him (and the referring doctor actually warned me that he had a gruff manner), I am really reluctant to see him, but I don’t kno where else to go?
Thanks!
February 16th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Hi, Lisa,
Thanks for a reply. Seems like we have identical stories. I have noticed that I could see a little bit through my hairline about 2 years ago, and got freaked out. I went to the doc, who was a TOTAL SCHMUCK, and don’t really even remember the diagnosis. He gave me some corticosteroid topical solution, which I used (maybe shouldn’t have). I keep planning to go to the doc again, but keep procrastinating/being too nervous. I also don’t lose clumps of hair, just every time I pull on my hair, several or at least 2 come out. It absolutely drives me nuts, sometimes I just feel like shaving my head. When I comb through my hair, on every part I make, I see short hairs sticking out. I am not sure if its the normal hairs breaking off, or the new ones growing. I keep my fingers crossed that it is the new ones. Do you have the same thing? I feel like I am getting so preoccupied with hair, thats all I look now on people-hairlines, temples, etc. Well, let us know how it goes! Tace care,
-Talia
February 18th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Hi Lisa, I just wanted you to know that I too suffer from chronic TE and have found since I have been taking Iron, copper, and amino acids…. along with a chinese herbal product, I am seeing quite a change in my hair shedding.Stress will exaberate the process, so stop stressing. Hope you can come to a lower shedding volume to give your hair sometime to grow back. Stay calm and baby yourself it really makes the difference. LOve Robin
February 19th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Hey Ladies! Thanks for all the advice and love! Firsty for Kay Dr. Baden was super mean but I was told by two other derms he was the best BUT supposedly now he only works at Mass General and is not longer excepting new patients. I went to see Dr. Lynn Goldberg at Boston Medical Center and LOVED her. I have a follow up with her next month so I highly recommend her. Not only is she a woman so she is more understanding but she didn’t rush me out of there. She took her time to listen and when I needed to call her with questions she called me right back.
Talia, I definately think we have alot of the same thing going on. I see all these short hairs and I too wasn’t sure if it was new growth or breakage. Robin is right though we have to baby our hair and take good care of ourselves. I stress way too much and know that doesn’t help as difficult as it is not to we can’t stress. I just can’t tell you what a relief it is to talk to people who understand. I have great friends and family who listen to me over and over but still they don’t understand because they are not going through it. So thanks too all of you again and lets stay in touch to keep eachother updated!
xoxo Lisa
February 19th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Hey Ladies! Thanks for all the advice and love! Firstly for Kay Dr. Baden was super mean but I was told by two other derms he was the best BUT supposedly now he only works at Mass General and is not longer excepting new patients. I went to see Dr. Lynn Goldberg at Boston Medical Center and LOVED her. I have a follow up with her next month so I highly recommend her. Not only is she a woman so she is more understanding but she didn’t rush me out of there. She took her time to listen and when I needed to call her with questions she called me right back.
Talia, I definitely think we have a lot of the same thing going on. I see all these short hairs and I too wasn’t sure if it was new growth or breakage. Robin is right though we have to baby our hair and take good care of ourselves. I stress way too much and know that doesn’t help as difficult as it is not to we can’t stress. I just can’t tell you what a relief it is to talk to people who understand. I have great friends and family who listen to me over and over but still they don’t understand because they are not going through it. So thanks too all of you again and lets stay in touch to keep each other updated!
xoxo Lisa
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:20 am
Hi Ladies,
May I just say that i’ve been reading all the stories and it inspired me to share my hair loss story as well. Well, its been a couple of months since I’ve experiencing hair loss on my temple area, on both sides. I’ve always had some thinning on left side of my temple more than the right one, but it never seemed to concern me because it just looked like that’s the way my hair line was. It was until the fall of 2007 and the beginning of 2008 that I began to see that both sides of my temples kept on thinning even more. I went to see a dermatogist in February and he took a biopsy. The test results indicated features of androgentic alopecia but further testings were needed to confirm it. I made another appointment for another derma at Mass general on June 9th. I need 4mm punch biosy done in order for them to see the root cause of my hair loss. I’ve done extensive research on this women and hair loss and it just bothers me that i can’t know what is really the cause of my hair loss. I know i’ve been stressing alot to the point where I can’t sleep or eat. I cry and have nightmares about going bald. I have thick curly hair and the thought of thinning all over makes me sad. Anyway, I was wondering if any of you guys experience this similar type of hair loss. I also sent the same biopsy slides to a second pathology office where they also stated that I have some inflamation on the white tissue but that i need a deeper skin sample to diagnose an alopecia. I’m hoping that it is not FBB and that i have TE or something. I also had acne since i was 12 so i’m thinking i may be sensitive to androgens which can cause me to thin out. If any ladies out there can give some advice on how to cope, it would be greatly appreciated!
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Hi Lisa,
It sounds like you went through alot. I recommend acupuncture and make sure it is also someone who would be able to work with your chakras also. I recommend working on your 1st chakra- picture red and feel its energy at your tailbone and pelvic area.
Good luck.
May 23rd, 2008 at 6:31 am
Does acupuncture help with the hair loss? My stylist has recommended that I see her acupuncturist. I’m willing to give anything a try at this point!
May 23rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
Hi Nancy,
I’ve known acupuncture to work for some people. Let me know if you want to try. I’ll help you look for a good one. I live in So. California and my sister lives in Minnesota…my acupuncturist is great and she helped my sister find a good one out there. If you need help finding a good one, let me know! I’m seeing some improvement with my hair loss and I’ve been going for about 3 months.
May 26th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Hi Stacey,
Thank you for your reply. I live in Salt Lake City, UT. Know any good ones here?
May 28th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Good Afternoon,
My name is Jennifer and I am a 33 yr old mother living in Manchester, NH. I have been experiencing extremely dramatic hair loss within the
past 6 months or so. I had waist length, beautiful dark hair up until around October of 2007. I have been to my doctor and had a panel of hormone tests
and to check my thyroid, she says all the tests are negative, I’m healthy. Within the past year I have been enduring unimaginable stress due to
a divorce which I believe to be the cause of my hair loss, because of the stress, anxiety and depression, I had stopped taking care of myself as well as I used to, etc.
So, a few months ago, when I concluded that the stress was the cause of my hair problem, I woke up and got right back to taking care of myself as I used to,
eating healthy, (lots of organic fruits, veg’s, unprocessed food, etc) and managing the stress with b-complex supplements and other food supplements,
herbs, teas and so forth. The good news is, I know my body is responding because I feel much better, my hair is clearly growing back on top and in the other places, Its coming back very strong, -BUT- I’m STILL losing like crazy!!! Now, I will say that my hair has always shedded a lot. Especially being as long as it was.
I am trying to determine whats going on. The hair that is growing back does not appear to be as strong, and as thick as my old hair. Does that make sense?
The new hairs, although growing back in abundance, don’t look as healthy and strong as the old. Is there any way you can shed some light on my situation and
help? I do not use any products other than organic, herbal shampoos and conditioners although sometimes I use Pantene smoothing conditioner before rinsing only to make
my hair smooth enough so that when I brush it after a shower, its less likely to tangle and pull more out, although you wouldn’t believe how much hair I am still losing a day. It’s everywhere..
I cry about it.. it used to be such a pride and joy and now, it looks so terrible, I have to wear it up. I am pretty sure that stress has been the root of the problem, but now my
hair loss has actually become the big stressor!!!!! I hate looking in the mirror now. Anyone have any words of advice..? Wait it out???
May 29th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Hi Jen, I’m sorry for what you are going through. Have you tried testing your adrenals? My acupuncturist did that with me…it’s a spit/saliva test. Since you are so stressed out, like my sister was, her adrenals were totally exhausted! So now she does acupuncture and meditation. Just a suggestion…it worked for my sis.
And hi Nancy… Dr.Hall, my acupuncturist, said you can call Lisa Andrade. She’s an acupuncturist in Utah…801-521-0531. I really hope that you will benefit as I did. I’m going on my 4th month now. I don’t have as much stress, my period seems regulated, my hair loss is to a minimal (though still shedding =( a bit), but my outlook has totally changed!!
Best wishes!
June 1st, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Hi
I am a 60 year old female who has been dealing with fine thin hair since I was 13 years old. At that time I was diagnosed with hypothyrodism and was on medication for 7 years. Since then I have been tested yearly and have been okay. My hair has never grown back in. I recently went to a dermatologist thinking it has been about 40 years since my last visit and surely there must have been some modern break thru’s. The dermatologist I saw said that I had female pattern baldness and this was NOT caused by the hypothyrodism. Could this be true? I really didn’t like her and then to be told that I had female pattern baldness because my dad had male pattern baldness as well as my younger brother and this was a genetic problem. Can you start with female pattern baldness at 13? Could it be tied into my hypothyroidism? Is this genetic because of my dad? I do have a thinning of the other 1/3 of my eyebrows but other then that I am completely normal for body hair. Help me please.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:17 am
I had a really rough weekend- It was really stressful and sad. I haven’t had that kind of stress for a few months now. Anyway, yesterday I noticed I lost a little bit more hair than normal. I think the stress I had this weekend may have caused it. =(
I need to take work off today so I can work on myself, get some acu, and relax. Guess for my case, it’s caused by stress. And here I thought I was stress free.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I recently saw a commercial for ScalpMed (spray-on treatment)that claims to work miracles. It’s quite pricey. Has any one had any experience with this product? Any success?
June 9th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Does scalp med work? I am reluctant to try anything new. I did try the lasercomb and it did not do much for me. I sent it back. Any feedback on scalpmed would be appreciated. Does this product cause an initial shedding like other hair loss regimens?