Welcome Back To The Women's Hair Loss Project -- You are invited to sign up up for the New Women's Hair Loss Project Forum! Click here to join the forum and start posting.
I am noticing a lot of new traffic coming in from different places and I wanted to welcome all the new reader’s to The Women’s Hair Loss Project and to write a little about our community. I started this blog to basically start journaling my life with hair loss. I write my daily thoughts as they come to me with all my quirks and sadness too. I write about my past regrets in treating my hair loss, the daily dealings of living with hair loss and some more lighthearted things such as my quest for the perfect hair thickening shampoo and my silly idea for a bumper sticker that says “Be Nice To Me, I’m going Bald!’
This is my life with hair loss.
I really would like to touch the lives of more women to let them know they are not alone. I’ve come to realize that a lot of women suffering with hair loss experience much of the same feelings as I do. Everything I thought was just me being crazy turned out to be more normal than I had imagined. For women I think that once you become a hair loss sufferer, no matter what steps you take to treat it or improve it, you are always still missing a little something, a little part of yourself. When women have the chance to read other women’s stories it can be healing, I know it is for me. You can read my hair loss story here.
Already we have a lot of great supportive women who share their stories and their lives.
Read Julie’s Story and see her pictures and read her wonderful put together wig buying tips.
Read Taylor’s Touching Story. She has endured so much at only 17, yet she is so strong and I admire her greatly.
Also Read Amy’s Story and Mira’s Story along with her story on how her husband (then boyfriend) reacted when he found out she had hair loss, along with another comment she left about an inspirational hair loss story
Finding all the Posts
There is so much to read on this site and it seems that some of the articles can be difficult to find, as new items are posted the others ones slide down to the bottom of the site until they seemingly disappear. But they are all still here and there are a couple ways to find them. Way at the bottom of the site after the last post you’ll see some text in gray that says “previous entries” If you click on that link it will take you to the page prior and from there you are able to click it again to go back even further. You can also search the archive pages by clicking on the drop down archive tab in the right sidebar and click on the month, and selecting the month you would like to view.
You are also able to search by keyword using the search field. Recent entries can be found on the lower right sidebar, but are limited to only displaying the 10 most recent articles. You can also search by Category, it is found on the right sidebar (left one) below “popular articles.”
Comments
Sometimes it can be hard to find the most recent comments made on the blog so I made a special section for that on the right as well, you can easily click on the name of the person who left the comment and you’ll be taken directly to it. But all the comments can be found on the actual page of the post. Click on any Post title and you will be taken to the post page with the full text and comments at the bottom. That is where you can also leave your own comments as well.
The Women’s Hair Loss Project also has a special women’s network attached to it, where you can create your own profile, blog, upload photos, chat, comment and have your own little space in our community to interact with other women with hair loss on a more personal level. To join click here: http://community.womenshairlossproject.com You may have noticed that on the side bar there is a category for “Blogs From Our Network” those are blog postings from network members. To comment on any of those blogs you have to be registered. Also you may notice some network members have their profile “private” so it is only viewable by other registered members, same is true for some of the blog posts. Commenting on this site is separate from the network and doesn’t require any type of registration. The “Recent Comments” you view on the side bar are from women who have been commenting on various blog topics I’ve written about. Feel free to leave your comments on any topic, I love hearing from you. To view my network profile, click here:
http://community.womenshairlossproject.com/womenshairlossproject/
- Read More About The Network
Thank You !!
I just want to give a big thank you for everyone who has joined the community, it means a lot to me to hear from you and to share in your life as you also deal with hair loss. Julie - 42 comments and counting, you’re amazing and your insight has been so incredible for everyone. Each one of you makes me stronger.
I want to invite the new reader’s to please share your story once you feel comfortable, I’d love to hear from you. You can email it to me at women@womenshairlossproject.com and I’ll create a post about you.
Technorati Tags: hair loss, hair loss stories, womens hair loss
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Mira 09.25.07 at 3:11 am
Thanks for this, I value this site tremendously. After reading your posts, I’ve realised that you have done a lot of research on hair loss and wondered what your take is on nutritional supplements. I have androgentic alopecia (and my mom does too) so I’ve always thought of my hair loss ass being inevitable. However, I sometimes wonder whether there are some easy things I could have done ( using Nizoral shampoo, eating the right food) that could have minimised my degree of hair loss. I have had a full chemistry screen and my thryoid function, iron levels etc are normal but are there other, particularly nutritional factors, I should be aware of. I am a biochemist and I’ve often wanted to take time out to do a lit search on exactly what I should be eating/supplemeting with for healthy hair. If you’ve done this, would really appreciate the info you have! I think it would be useful to everyone accessing this site.
admin 09.25.07 at 8:23 am
Hi Mira, I’m really glad that you enjoy the site. Yes I’ve done so much research on hair loss, read everything I possibly could about it in an effort to try to help my own situation, still reading and still looking
Your comment spawned a post I thought needed to be written in response to your question about nutrition and hair loss. You can read read it here.
But I am much like you, I have androgenetic alopecia and my mother also has hair loss that occurred post menopausal. That does indicate the genetic component being present, several people in my family (not immediate family, other than my mother, I’m the only “lucky” one) also have hair loss. I may have not experienced hair loss either until I was post menopause had I never taken birth control pills at such an early age.
As I mention in the post I made today about that Nutrition and Hair Loss, I do think it is has some effect on it. Some people more than others may be helped by following the “sugar-balancing” diet. I’ve followed really good nutrition for years and for me it never really helped my hair loss. But realize everyone is so different, Rogaine works for some and not others and I think the degree to which nutrition affects women’s hair loss will vary greatly as well.
With your biochemist background (wow) you probably know better than I how to digest the information I lay forth in my article, as I cite information written by Spencer Kobren, the author of “The Truth About Women’s Hair Loss ” regarding the connection between insulin and testosterone.
Mira 09.26.07 at 12:51 am
Thanks for this, I had not previously come across info on the insulin connection, it’s vey interesting. I’ve long wanted to do research on hair loss, starting with my family! My mom’s hair loss also began in her 20s and is quite severe now but she has three sisters who have beautiful heads of long hair (as do their daughters). I think with my family I have the perfect sample for trying to unravel the genetic basis of androgenetic alopecia. One day, I hope to actually write a research proposal and get the funding to do the work. I have simply not got around to it. My previous work has taken me from malaria to cancer and now to HIV. More serious than hair loss I know, but there are plenty of people out there who are working on these diseases and hardly anyone working on women’s hair loss and knowing the distress it causes women, I don’t think I should feel too guilty about wanting to do the work. Maybe we and other ladies on this forum could write a proposal together? I am very impressed by the wealth of info that is already here (and the site is less than a month old) on multiple aspects of hair loss. I am at a very busy stage of my life at the moment, moving to a different continent etc, but hope to seriously focus on writing this towards the middle of 2008. Finding this forum has galvanised me. It is great to come across so many strong women and I think we have the power to do things for ourselves.
admin 09.26.07 at 11:31 am
I think it is so wonderful that you are interested in researching the genetic basis for androgenetic alopecia, and that you actually have the capability to do so is phenomenal. I could only dream of being able to do that, and would very much like to assist you in any way I can to help you in writing the proposal. I know other women would as well. We need someone like you with a strong personal interest in women’s hair loss and the knowledge and ability to conduct the research necessary. We are many in number and like you said “We have the power to do things for ourselves”
andrea 10.05.07 at 10:19 am
hi mira,
i’m one semester away from completing my bachelor’s in human biology at the University of Texas. I just finished applying to medical school, and I would love to research hair loss as well, so we can all get some answers!!! if i get into medical school i PROMISE all of you that i will not be one of those doctors that says “everythings fine, heres some rogaine”. we are the silent sufferers of hair loss, and i think we all need a little hope for the future.
btw, of all the obsessive hair loss forums i’ve been to, this blog is the most encouraging, inspiring, and supportive of all… the other ones just stress me out so much more!!! i stopped looking at them for a while but recently got concerned about my hair again (i made the mistake of looking at the top of my scalp with a mirror… horror) and began reading them again. i’m not doing that again… everyone on most forums are so depressed and pessimistic. sometimes i just need to feel like everything is ok, and that there is hope (even if it’s false optimism). it helps me get through the day!
bb 11.24.08 at 4:28 am
i to am post-menapausal and have experienced hair-loss.
rogain failed to work on me.
one day i went to get my hair blown out at a new place.
the stylist said to me that my scalp is as tight as a drum.
she told me that i should start massaging my scalp to stimulate blood flow to my hair folicals.
i did this 2-3 times a day, in the car, watching tv, in bed…suddenly i noticed that short little hairs began to grow!
it’s not completely as thick as it used to be, but it’s so much better!
es 03.14.09 at 8:01 pm
hi to all
i am a 16 year old female who is experiencing massive hair loss. i don’t think it is due to my genes because i don’t know of any relative having such issues. i read some of your articles here about alopecia and other illnesses that can cause hair loss and balding. i haven’t done any tests yet, and i am still obscured from what is causing my hair loss!
the stories i have come across here mention hair loss that started a decade or few years ago when they were much younger and supposed to have an abundance of hair. i am experiencing it right now and i really cannot get used to it. i am a teenager, and i really feel upset about it. especially when i see my grandmother’s head that’s filled with hair with strong roots (albeit white)
my sister just told me that my hair parting line has widened. i am really afraid. i want to find the courage to accept my hair loss and not be ashamed of it. i read a quote here that inspired me. (they can take our hair but not our freedom)
you women are a courageous bunch and i salute you for that. i really hope my hair stops falling like crazy. and i pray the same for all that are undergoing the same predicament!
god bless.
Char 08.16.09 at 10:32 pm
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone new of a GOOD doctor in the state of Kentucky… Lexington,Louisville area or Ohio.. Cincinnati area. My daughter is in search of someone that will help her. We just cannot get a Doctor to listen to her and or take her seriously. She really is so desperate. As a Mom it is killing me that she is going through this aweful nightmare of hair loss. So PLEASE if anyone has a name of someone in or around this area or any where we will travel!!! Thank you all for any and all advice you can give…
waiting for miracles 09.23.09 at 8:38 am
hi everyone,
i’m currently 24 years and i’ve been experiencing chronic hair loss since 16 years old. now, i feel that i’m losing hope…..i tried varieties of products and treatment…and did a test on it too. doctor told me that i suffered from genetic hair loss…and it don’t have any cure. i’m taking biotin and spirolon as of daily supplements. besides, i take ampule which is the hair tonic too. instead of getting better, it shows my baldness got really massive (deforestation). i am not happy everyday and refused to go out or socialize. since all these treatment with no improvement on me but getting worst condition, i just hope for miracles that would happen in my life and makes me a happy girl. because of this, i never even have a date with a guy before. there was a deepest sad memory when i travelled with my families to oversea and we joined a daily trip to somewhere, the whole day, during the whole journey in the bus, i heard repeated comments about my hair from same group of people behind me ( 3 girls). i heard all the conversation during that whole day. however, i wasn’t brave enough to defense for myself and i just pretended i never hear them. i held on my tears till end of the trip…. and i cried when i was alone that day…..
no girls would want a bald head… this isn’t what i want! I also hope i can get a normal and pretty hair.
until now, it’s still haunting me…
now…i just feel hopelessness and emotionally strike my mind that…why not just cut it or bald it everything on my head….:(
All or Nothing…..
i really thanked for this page that i’ve found just….
Tanna Andrews 10.09.09 at 7:01 am
Hello,
I’m searching for a diagnosis. I have been to several doctors that have told that i need to reduce my stress and that my hair will return in time. I don’t agree and I’m not satsified with that. I don’t feel good and I have a rash on my chest, arms and legs. Does anyone have a specific dr. aside from a general dr. or a dermatologist to suggest?
Eliete 10.13.09 at 7:30 pm
Today I did a Scalp Biopsy. I will get the results in two weeks, and tomorrow I will do some blood work. I am praying to God so him can help me… I don’t want to loose my hair.
I want to thanks every one again for share your stories with us. I had learn so much in this network.
God bless you all!!!
Toni Guerrero 10.17.09 at 9:22 am
I have sent my story, but how do I find responses to my story? I am new - I wrote one under medicines that may cause hair loss and I also wrote on somewhere else but cannot find it. Wasn’t sure my first one even went thru. Can someone help me find if there are any responses to my concerns?
Debra 11.21.09 at 6:36 am
I started loosing hair a long time ago when I was a teenager. I had lots and lots of hair and then Hair Loss. I have been struggling ever since to get back the mass of hair I have lost. Today I have a reasonable amount of hair. Not what I had originally, but reasonable. When one goes from a lot to less, it is an adjustment. I just want to provide what I have done and, for you, it might help too. First of all, anyone who tells you that they just have long beautiful hair for no reason at all is bull pucky. Beautiful hair is hard work and takes many hours of pampering. So beautiful hair IS that person’s entire life. I do not have this unlimited amount of time to just live for my hair. Second of all, I found that my body needs lots of nutrition, high-quality nutrition and even with that I still had hair loss. I thought about it a lot. I then realized that I also have less Iron in my body and I always have less Iron in my body so I have to take Iron everyday, it helps with hair strength. I found I need to take one more thing everyday. An amino acid called Inosital. I tend to be uptight and anxious. People who have this anxious type personality could use taking this supplement: Inosital. I found that my anxious personality seems to encourage Hair Loss. It calms without sedating. When I started adding this to my supplements, hair loss stopped and regrowth over about a year or so showed progress. Another one to add to my supplements is L-Cysteine. It will also helps with hair growth. I will never have the amount of hair I had when I was younger because I am almost 50 years old now, but I think this would have helped more when I was younger. I am just happy I found something so I do not go completely bald. Note: do not take more Inosital then the recommended one or two just for faster progress opportunites, it will just make you feel like “doing nothing.” Just take the recommended amount. Best of Luck to having thick, healthy hair to all of you.
lucy 12.30.11 at 10:44 am
Hi,
I was really relieved to find this site, but upset that I can’t seem to find any posts, advice or stories on hair loss stemming from trichotillomania. I suffer from it and really need some help, motivation and insight into the problem.