Menopause Matters

Bonbon

Hi all, I 've just found this thread and am hoping someone can help me. Sorry if it's been discussed before but it's difficult to read through all 45 pages. My problem seems to be the opposite of most of the posters here who are worried about excess hair. Mine is getting thinner by the day.Now I know I can't have it all ways, and am really pleased to notice that I have very few hairs on my legs and underarms now, but I am reduced to tears when I see that the hair on my head is getting so thin at the front that I am almost changing my hairstyle to a comb over. A couple of my insenstive friends have commented on it, and now I notice that when people talk to me that they are glancing at the top of my head.I am really really embarrassed by this and was wondering if going on HRT might help.( I had a hysterectomy 20 yrs ago and only took it for about a year )
Does anyone else have this problem? what did you do? any advice would be appreciated.

Bronnie

Hi bonbon, that's a really distressing issue to deal with. I don't think it's been discusses particularly in this thread yet, so it would be great to have some input as I'm sure you're not alone.

I do know there's a product called Regaine for women. A friend (male) used the man's version and it did work, however, it's expensive and for the permanent type of male hair loss at least he had to continue using for ever basically. There is also the implication of the chemicals involved.

Haven't used it personally, but info here

http://www.boots.com/en/Regaine-For-Women-Regular-Strength-60ml_18746/

Armchair23

Hi Bonbon, I think it would be worth your while checking with your GP if there are underlying health problems. There are quite a few things, like thyroid conditions for instance, that have hair loss as a symptom.

I hope you have a nice GP who could at least offer some advice.

Bonbon

Thanks for the replies so far.Armchair23 thanks for mentioning about the thyroid.I do have nodules on mine and it was questioned whether to have them removed but was then decided that they were ok. I had a very slightly overactive thyroid for a while that settled down over a year ago, so just maybe it might have something to do with that. I presumed it might be a hormone problem, as I had a full hysterectomy at 38 yrs and obviously have now gone through the menopause. ( thankfully no more hot flushes etc.) I have a lovely female GP but have to admit I am still very embarrased and will need to pluck up my confidence to go. I am not a vain person at all, in fact just a 'plain Jane' but this is really upsetting me to the point where I don't social as much as I used to. I have started looking at every woman's hair and I can see that there a lot of elderly ones who have very sparse hair.I just couldn't cope with that.

Armchair23

Hey Bonbon, you musn't feel the need to apologise for a very reasonable concern about your hair loss.
Go see your GP and let her know how anxious this is making you feel.
Hopefully she can help with the thinning hair, if not maybe she can help you the feelings you're experiencing.
Love X

karmacookie

Hi all

i'm glad i've found this thread but unfortunately I don't have time to read all the pages at the moment, but I will at some point!

I'm 44 and think I'm having a lot of menopause symptoms. Obviously the main symptom is periods changing but I'm on the Mirena coil so I've not had one for 15 years anyway. Has anyone else been in this position? I gather that there is not one single test that can tell you for definite if menopause has started, so how would you know for sure if you don't have periods?

I read the first few pages of this thread and was interested at the is this or is this not moneysaving! I've just ordered a menopause test kit from Boots, £15 :eek: it probably will not be accurate so definitely not moneysaving!

Also, due to feeling increasingly grotty over the last few months I've cancelled al my overtime this week, so another financial implication there!

Anyway, good to meet you all, i always think that personal experience is the best way to learn about any condidtion x

shykins

hi karma

my understanding is the same u cant actually get a definitive test as it would depend on where in your cycle you were when the test was done and most of us havent got regular cycles anymore

i dont have periods either (i had an ablation a few years ago) but the hot flushes, forgetfulness etc etc pretty much tells me i am peri-meno. its hard when u dont actually have them to confirm it but if u are suffering from some of the symptoms its likely

hope everyone else is doing well

x

Raksha

I've also got a Mirena coil, and my Dr asked me to get the coil removed so we can allow my periods to restablish themselves first before we do any more blood tests.

karmacookie

Raksha wrote: »

I've also got a Mirena coil, and my Dr asked me to get the coil removed so we can allow my periods to restablish themselves first before we do any more blood tests.

Ahh, i suppose that makes sense but then I'll be worried about contraception!

NickyBat

Hello ladies, not been on for a while hope this lovely weather finds you all well and not too hot!!

been on my HRT now for nearly 8 weeks and certainly feeling the benefits, noticeably the hot flushes are gone :T, although it doesn't seem to be doing much for my hair..........its still coming out in handfulls!! and my skin is still so very very dry but hoping these may get better in time.