Women’s Hair Loss Project

I’ve read that Spirolactone causes tumors in rats? How safe is it, especially if it causes all those side effects? Is the concern about cancer causing tumors the bigger one?

Just a thought ladies. I am on topical spirolactone. I did not want the internal effects from the pill form and I plan on having more babies. The internal spiro can cause genital malformations in male fetuses. I use it in combination with Rogaine. I’ve been on treatment for about 4 months now. The only improvement that I’ve noted so far is that the texture of the hair around my face is returning to normal. I do not feel any increased thickness yet. Anyhow, there used to be a Dr. Lee on the internet that would prescribe it for women all over but he only takes women in this California area now. My dermatologist had not heard of it so I informed her and she prescribed it for me. You just have to find a pharmacist that can mix it for you. Wellness pharmacies can. I hope this helps.

I could not take spironolactone at first either, but I started at 15mg and work my up to 200mg over the next few months. I am now on 200mg and it does not bother me at all. I am just wondering how long it takes to help your hair, I have been on it for 3 months and my hair is still falling out.

Lisa

Can you follow the same treatment that Tracy follows if you have Androgenetic Alopecia. Where do you find the shampoo Nizoral… Thabk you

I was on blood pressure medication dyazide (hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene) for 2 yrs and lost almost all of my hair. I researched alternative meds and found Spiro. I asked my doctor if I could switch meds and have been on Spiro (25mg) for 6 months and my hair has grown to shoulder length and the thinning that I had on the top of my head is filling in, but I still don’t have my hair back 100%. I did have side effects (nausea, diarrhea, major fatigue) which bothered me at first, but the nausea and diarrhea subsided and I started taking a multivitamin which helped eliminate the fatigue. One other thing that I found was that Spiro eliminated my bloating and breast tenderness during my cycle. I read that the med helps clear up acne, but I have not experienced that yet. I still have problems with acne and I’m in my 40’s.

ok, so im in germany for the next 3 yrs due to my husbands job and i went to see my dermy about my hair falling out and he ran a root test on my hair and now is telling me i have male patteren baldness which is i guess the same as female baldness? he told me to start using rogaine for women. can anyone tell me if i can use rogaine for men, its cheaper! at this point my hair is just falling out near my temples so i wanted to ask my dr if spiro will help along with the rogaine. now about that shampoo, where do i find that at in germany!!!!!!

This is an inspiring story. I started losing my hair in my early 30’s due to undiagnosed thyroid issues. My hair had always been REALLY thick (couldn’t use a banana comb because it would pop open). It took 5 years before the thyroid tests showed a problem and by then my hair was THIN. I am not a PCOS sufferer, but had endometriosis for years before having a hysterectomy which seemed to then accelerate the hair loss. Hair kept thinning and thinning. Today I am in my 50’s and I wear an integrated hair piece to hide the thin hair on top of my head. About 3 months ago, my doctor prescribed Rogaine 5% and Spiro for me AFTER I found the information on the Internet. Spiro is at 100 mg./day. I am noticing a slight regrowth of my hair. Not enough to stop wearing my hair piece yet, but I am hopeful. I’m going to look for the Nizoral shampoo and suggest in increase in the dose of the spiro the next time I go to the doctor. Thanks for sharing that post.

Hello Bonnie,
I have had hair thinning, falling and breaking for one year now. Onset was sudden after an uri illness that lasted for six weeks and lots of antibiotics. Suspect diet and ongoing stress may have played a role also. I also have AGA which has accelerated some as well. Family history with AGA with my mother. an aunt and my grandmother. Do you know if most women who take 200 mg. of spiro experience a significant amount of shedding as you did? My dermatologist told me that 80% on part of my scalp was in a telogen or resting phase. I am extremely afraid of even more rapid shedding going on spiro. Did you consider topical spiro or know if it has the same effectiveness and side effects? Many thanks for your time and feedback. It is so greatly appreciated.
Sandy

Hello Bonnie, So great to hear of your success I am 22 years old and told I have AGA I went to see Dr redmond who put me on 200mg spiro and YAZ bc. I hope to have stabilization. I started two months ago on treatment. My question is how long before you noticed at least a decrease in hair loss? Thank you so much

Thank you so much for responding back Bonnie. I just get so discouraged and I know I have to be patient, it’s just hard when I’m watching my hair fall out everyday. Also, I notice the hair loss more on my temples and slightly on my hairline. Is that how your hair loss is too or is it more on the top? Also do you take Aldactone or the generic? I’m on the generic..I have to see the doc in July and i’m hoping to be able to give him good news if not I think he may give me a BCP with more estrogen like Yasmin which has 30mg instead of the 20 mg in YAZ which may be like Dianne 35. Well thanks for giving me hope to continue on treatment. Hope to hear back from you soon.

Vicky, I am still on my treatments except last months I swithed from Diane -35 to Yaz to lower my estrogen as I am too old (haha) for all that estrogen. I also use Rogaine which you are not one which was a huge benefit as well you need it twice a day for the fisrt 2 years and even and can go down to once a day. I am pretty confident you hair will improve treatment it is unfortunalty forever. I am very confident you will maintain your hair with your treatments. I suspect as you caught it early so you will recover hair as well. Patients is the key with hair loss treatments and sometimes it can get worst before better, mine did. Most people just give up please don’t. Anyway if you decide to try it, the Rogaine will increase shedding at first for 4-8 weeks but it also increases growth my hair grows super long with it. Spiro and Yasmin will stop the source and stop the loss. You should do very well with you program. I find 200mg a day is best with spironolactone you may be able to go to 150 or so with the Yasmin and the progesterone is it is like Spiro.

I am taking Spiro at 200 mgs daily. I have also purchased the men’s Rogaine at my dermatologist’s orders. She insists that I get on birth control. Is YAZ any better with my condition than other birth control pills? I was inspired by Tracy’s story and I went to purchase Nizoral but only found 1%. Is the 2% only available by prescription or did the store just not have any in?

Yesica also how long have u been on spiro? Is it generic? I am at almost 3 months and no slow in shedding yet I lose like 50 hairs a day

im so happy to have found this blog!!..i have become very very upset and depressed because of the hair loss i have had since the age of 21…i am not 24 and last year i saw a dermatogolist whom prescribed me adelctone which i think is the same as spironolactone..i even went and saw the head of dermataogy in sydney a few months ago, there really is no sultion…im on this medication, pill and rogaine…i am usually in tears and have no self esteem to go out…my wedding is also coming up and cant express how upset i am…am definitely going to start washing my hair with nizroal now…would it be possible to meet one of you ladies from sydney in person to discuss our experiences? i really dont have anyone to turn to speak about my hair loss…im so desperate for some miracle, i hope my prayers are answered

Finally after 2 years of wondering why i went menopausal all of a sudden at the age of 23 I was diagnosed with PCOS. My OBG didn’t really prepare me to what might come my way. He prescribed metformin in which to my understanding was just to make me regular and that’s all. so when I saw that I was as normal as I can be every month I decided to stop the med. then my hair started thinning but I have always had thin hair so I thought it was just a bad hair day every time. I started getting concerned when ppl started pointing out my scalp with funny jokes. I saw a dermatologist and she just glanced at my scalp and said well it’s just hereditary and sent me on my way. I knew that she was wrong I don’t care that she is a doctor I know my body and hair and her diagnostic approach was just unheard-of. Granted she had a full set of hair she didn’t really care of my worries. So after intense search on the internet I decided that I should have seen an endocrinologist so he can check blood work and help me out with the hormones and all. So at this point my hair down to my lower back but very thin and the crown of my head is noticeable from a mile away literally. It’s been a week since I saw the endocrinologist so at this point it’s a waiting game while I’m balding by the hour; it’s not like I have much more to spare. I check online everyday and every moment I have a chance as if there will be a miraculous magic pill that will give me my hair back or just to reread the facts of AGA and TE. Either way I guess I can just cut it short until then but I’m sooooo mad that I have to cut it. idk what to do anymore! I’m thinking the worst; I just want to crawl under a rock and not be seen till they find a cure for us PCOS sufferers. I think that at the end of the day I just need some reassurance to some type normality. Mentally I am exhausted its just too much to accept when there is not much you can control.

I have been on Vivelle Dot , 100mg spiro and rogaine. I also have seborrheic
dermatitis. I have been using this treatment since the second week in April. My hair loss has gotten so much worse. If my body hair is also less-couldn’t the spiro be causing me to loss hair on my head too? My hair cutter said my hair is growing more slowly too.

I am so close to getting a hairpiece. I can see staying on the estrogen but can’t the spiro be making it that much worse? I am so upset-all help and info is very much appreciated!

Hello. I just went to my gynecologist last week and she told me i had PCOS so it made me think of this story and i told her oh so that”s why my hair is falling out then. She said no that has absolutely nothing to do with it you have enough hair your not bald or have patches (so am i suppose to let my hair get to that point before its a problem??? i felt insulted like i dont know my own body!!! and what its going through!) I was really upset after that because i knew she was wrong and she did not put me on any of the medications you wrote about instead she wanted me to go on the pill she said its the only thing she could give me to treat this (that i completely said no too). I wonder if i should go to the Endocrinologist see if i get a different response? Seriously if it wast for this site i would have just settled for what she told me . What do you think i should do?

Thanks so much for your story it motivates me to take this into my own hands and not settle for this.
Take care much love XOXO

I want spironolactone so badly for my hair loss. I have PCOS (newly diagnosed as of September) and I’ve had hair loss for 4-5 years. My doctor, back when I had health insurance, seemed to think I was crazy and only half-heartedly sent me to the dermatologist, who also acted like me thinking my part was too wide was crazy and he prescribed me a topical steroid treatment. I’m depressed. I’m on Yaz and I’m hoping the hair loss will at least stop, but I’d be lying if I can say I’d be happy to just maintain what I have and not regrow what’s lost. I’m hoping the Yaz will work better once I get regulated because my menstrual cycle is still off. I had a 2 month period and then month one on the pill, it was great, no problems, now month 2 I’m like 2 weeks having my period yet again. I wish it would just stop already and regulate. So I’m hopeful my hair will grow back, but I’m dying for spiro, and Metformin, and I’m obsessively searching sites like Histogen, Follica, and Aderans for hope to grow my hair back. I would seriously give up an organ for donation or something equally major to get my hair back. If anyone has any positive stories with spiro, please post them, because come November I’m pushing for it because I can’t stand having my scalp show through the little bit of hair I have left. Thanks for listening to my rambling, tired post. Lol. I actually feel a little better.

Hi Princessadree, for Nisim where did you find the complete directions on using the shampoo forever and the serum for 2 two years. I read just using the shampoo is supposed to be effected. Help thanks

Hey y’all
I started spiro a few months ago and am looking for some advise. Apologies for the long winded background information, but this is my story. I started noticing that my hair was beginning to thin at around age 20 when my identical twin began to see it in her hair. I’d been on birth control (good ol’ orthro tri-cyclin) for about two years prior (she hadn’t), so they put her on it too. As far as genetics go, female hair loss (and hair loss in general I suppose) is in my family on my fathers side, my great aunt wore a wig for a lot of her adult life. After a few months my hair began to shred and shed at a massive rate while seeming to loose diameter in individual strands (is this my imagination?). Fine little baby hairs around my hairline became more prominent. Mostly I’m loosing hair at the top of my head and at the temples. The next time I had an annual I asked my gynocologist what could be done and she put me on a low estrogen pill, a Loestrin equivalent. In retrospect this was not the greatest idea, my hair lost only accelerated. I went back on OTC and went to see a dermatologist. She had some bloodwork done, but my thyroid and DHT came back “normal”, though iron was slightly low. I have always been anemic, even more so than my sister, though much more so when I was a teen. After a few months of regular iron and Biotin and no improvement, she put me on 100mg spirolactone, which i have been taking for about 3 months now. There was never any mention of biopsy, but my family history seems like a pretty good indicator of AA.

The current situation: I am 23 and things are in a steady state of decline. Though the rate of shedding has slowed slightly, mostly because everything that was shredding is now gone, I think, it’s still shedding at an ominously even keel. My sister’s experience is very similar (how nice it is to have control!), so this leads me to believe that any hormonal yo-yoing caused by various birth controls can be more or less ruled out. One would think that hair loss caused by sensitivity to DHT would be dramatically improved by an inhibitor, by thus far spirolactone has done little other than the initial surge in shedding that I have heard some of you talk about. I feel tired, lethargic, and my sex drive has decreased.

The question is, is 100 mg of spirolactone enough for me? Is it worth the side effects? Will I need more to affect regrowth? My iron levels remain low, but not dramatically so. Will this prevent me from re growing my hair? Is it realistic to hope for significant improvement with AA in my family? I find myself wondering if my hair will ever re grow, which is deeply troubling considering more and more of it is gone every day. If this is happening at 23 will I have anything left at 30? 40? I feel very helpless and without hope. What else can I do?

i am 19 years old and i have had issues with hair loss since my freshman year of high school it seems like…..
i have tried ortho, that did not help. i am now on spyro and have been taking it for about 4 months, but dont see that much of a difference. i am only on 25mg though so maybe i should up my dosage?? im scared to take a high dosage, what if this medication isnt even right for me? ive noticed excessive hair in other places such as breasts and below the belly button..thats obviously not normal. is spyro the best medication to take?? i have such thin and fine hair its embarrassing and i am just hoping to find an answer soon. i am going to start using nioxin shampoo, but if there is any other suggestions out there i would really love to hear them. im just hoping for a miracle!!! ive always had somewhat fine hair, but still a full head of hair when i was much younger. like i said i was about 15 when i really started noticing the shedding. im now 19 and my hair is so thin its depressing…….any advice would be good..

Wow, that’s a great story! I have been living with PCOS for almost ten years now, I deal with thinning hair, belly fat, EXCESSIVE facial hair ( I have to shave daily), and am absolutely emmbarrassed at 34. Like you, I couldn’t take it anymore, and started my spironolactone two days ago…..I am hoping and praying that it helps……

I feel for you Mimy. I feel the same way. I am only 32 and feel there are several contributing factors to my rapid hair loss. Taking bcp and anti depressant/anti anxiety pills is what caused my rapid hair loss 2 yrs ago. I was in such a “high” from taking anti dep’s pills even though I was shedding I didn’t have the where with all to read the fine print that came with the pills. And also dying my hair religiously every 2 months not just the roots — all my hair….no bueno. Now I am paying the price.
I have done extensive research online. Found out that maybe taking Biosil and Ultra Hair by Nature’s Plus, Vitamin B complex, Saw Palmetto…..