I would check iron/ferritin and thyroid before spending on the light helmet. I found a lot of posts here recommending Mega Foods blood builder iron supp. I bought it before I foubd a dr willing to prescribe HRT because Im vegetarian and so many women were saying it is a game changer. I agree 100%. I will NEVER not buy this!!!
I have only been on HRT 3 weeks but my follow up is this week. Dr told me thyroid tends to go downhill at the same time peri symptoms appear so had me do labs at initial appt. I looked at my results online, T3, T4 are fine but TSH was way off. Researched thyroids and there’s a good subreddit too. I am pretty sure he’s going to put me on levo and a major symptom of high TSH is hair loss.
I feel like the iron supp helped some w hair shedding/new hair growth (wispy baby hairs growing! small win, but Ill take it!), HRT helped a LOT more w shedding, and hoping thyroid will lock it down.
Not saying Tron mask wont work, bc tbh Id have tried it already if not so pricey!! Lol!! Regardless of what you try or don’t, HUGS to you! I have spend so many hours online trying to fix my hair. Im Italian/Greek. We usually are TOO hairy so this was just devastating having hair fall out in clumps for over a year.
120
u/CopperGoldCrimson
Wigs aren't your only option! Look into beaded toppers, flip over method sew-ins from Black stylists. You can learn to do the toppers yourself if you get a custom unit made. Check out Sofia Hair Health on TikTok for protocols that are DHT blocking (she has androgenic alopecia), shampoo with ketoconazole, micro needling, etc can make meaningful differences.
36
u/rainbowtruthfairy
Which med did the derm prescribe for the torso rash? Antifungals (orally) did not work in the slightest to clear mine up. In my case, the rash in the umbilical region began at least 1.5 years prior to the nights sweats and hot flashes.
It is behaving like some sort of autoimmune condition, and has been getting worse since May or June of 2024. The only thing that ever helps, is extended, strict water fasting. But thus far, nothing clears it up completely. I think 40 days would probably heal it (from the inside out), but the longest (of many) WF I have done so far, is 25 or 26 days.
As for the scalp issues, the number ONE best thing to use is apple cider vinegar (ACV). It is amazing. I use it at least once a week, prior to a shower: saturating the hair and scalp using a glass spray bottle, massaging the ACV in very thoroughly.
I have used ACV for years. It TOTALLY clears up the scalp, and makes the hair ridiculously soft as well (which is why so many people use it as a conditioner). A lot of people dilute it: 50/50, ACV and filtered water. I generally use 100% ACV. It is great for skin blemishes as well. You can even leave it on the scalp/hair for an hour if you want, which is super clarifying.
These days, I tend to hop in the shower, soak my head with the vinegar, and massage it in. Then I go about my cleaning routine, and save the hair/scalp for last (the opposite of what I usually do). Some people (self included) use ACV as a conditioner; but when I use it as a first step like this, I never need it a second time after lathering my head with a bar of soap. Literally baby soft hair is the result.
I miss my hair as well. It used to be so beautiful. It was “my thing.” My one thing. But it started thinning out after I had my son at age 22. By the time menopause started at age 45/46, it was really thin (especially through the crown and at the very back of the head).
I actually began completely shaving my head (pretty often: every 4-6 months), back in 2023, right after my brother died. The first time was on his birthday, in his honor. After that…all sorts of reasons. An exercise in self-love, in many ways. And a solid “F you!” thrown in there as well. When it is shaved, it is SO MUCH EASIER to stay clean - just in general. It (((feels))) way better than it looks (imo). It does feel great.
I always hated short hair on me. But I also cannot have back what has been lost (so much more than hair at this point). But having gone ‘all the way’ like that (“Go big, or go home!”), sort of broke something open from within me, in a lot of ways. The work is still being done, nearly three years later.
Now I am ramping things up with some supplementation improvements: methylene blue, creatine, and copper, in addition to my other staple supps. We shall see what happens.
30
u/ReflectionOk2553
I have been using a red light helmet for years. Not game enough to stop lol Hair loss is still progressing. It really is cyclical for me. Worse in summer and autumn and then starts to fill in more. Hrt in the last year did seem to make it better but my usual fall has been worse than ever before. I take photos every couple of months to compare.
29
u/phootosell
Thanks and hugs! In the same boat. I wonder why I used to obsess about a few extra pounds or the shape of my nose or other silly things. Mow I feel have actual problems with hair loss.
19
u/MissTiffany12
This was exactly my issue! The androgen dominance was causing lots of acne and hair loss, among other things. Supplementing with a low dose of estrogen and continuous nightly progesterone has helped to improve it some. The shed has slowed down finally and my skin is much clearer.
18
u/Illuminimal
Are you not eligible for HRT? Since I started in November the density in new hair growth is hilarious, I have this constant halo of baby hairs, except they're getting to like four inches long now.
14
u/TheUltimateFixer
Really appreciate all the info you shared — thank you!
11
u/KayNopeNope
Thank you fore sharing all of this information I really appreciate it.
10
u/Former-Seah
I have POTS and I tolerate spiro. Totally contraindicated of course (isn’t everything?!) but I felt at about 70% for a couple of weeks. A couple more dizzy spells than usual but after week 3/4 I was back to normal.
Saying this I am usually pretty mild symptomatically. I take fludro and I have had POTS for 10 years.
But don’t take this as advocating as I’m not sure what would set you back. Just giving my experience.
9
u/blue19255
thanks for posting! I have an appointment this month.
7
u/Meowmixx22
What about fineasteride? Derm said this is what grows hair.
5
u/Away-Heron8167
For what it’s worth I was deficient in Zinc and since supplementing my hair has been thick again!
5
u/that_awkward_chick
I have been losing my already fine/thin hair since my 30s and nothing ever helped it. Eventually I did look into wigs and toppers and there are so many great, natural looking options out there! Plus, it has been much more convenient being able to wash and style the wig before I need to use it and the day of I can just put it on and go. I even usually just bring one when I travel for a week…it usually keeps the curls for a few days and then I put it in updos or ponytails for the latter half. And no one can tell! If anyone compliments my hair, I am to the point now that I just tell them it’s a wig and they are very surprised.
Some places I have purchased my wigs/toppers from that use natural hair:
https://www.highlinewigs.com
https://www.wigsbytiffani.com
https://madisonwigsboutique.com
And there are a ton of accounts on social media that post about hair loss and wearing wigs/toppers. More people wear some type of “fake” hair than you think!
5
u/Fightswithcrows
For whoever is interested, I found this really comprehensive link on symptoms, tests, and treatment options for AGA
https://australianprescriber.tg.org.au/articles/male-and-female-pattern-hair-loss.html
5
u/huntergirlnc21
Same boat here! I’ve been losing for about 10 years now without much relief from anything I’ve tried. I am on oral minoxidil which hasn’t helped, as well as HRT, but I try to accept it as much as my vain self can, lol. My grandmother was practically bald and I have aunts and cousins with significant loss too. I did wigs for a bit (mostly just too hot for me), done the super short cuts, but recently invested in a human hair topper. It is a game changer! It’s light enough that I don’t get super sweaty and is the same color as my hair, just with added highlights. My mom did not realize it wasn’t my own hair the first time she saw it. Might be something to look into!
4
u/NeedleworkerCivil534
If you have not tried pumpkin seed oil caplets with saw palmetto, please read up on them. I had been losing my hair for a year, and three weeks after starting these caplets it stopped falling out and has not started back. It looks so much better. I use the microingredients brand from Amazon.
4
u/becaaaaah
There are DHT blocking supplements. Nutrifol makes one
4
u/GivethemRachell
I’m at the point where I just want to save up for a wig topper. Shit if I had the money I’d do a hair transplant. Plenty of follicles on the back of my head but a barren wasteland at the top. This is not my idea of business in the front and party in the back lol.
3
u/Good_Connection_547
My Canadian friend who lives in Mexico got what they call a hair transplant - but it’s really a rearrangement of their scalp.
They basically peel your scalp off and put the areas that aren’t affected by female pattern baldness in the front, and the thinner parts in the back.
She had to shave her head, but she’s got a beautiful, full pixie cut and she looks amazing.
3
u/soleiles1
Have you tried Nirozal shampoo 2-3 times a week for the fungal issues?
3
u/Dear_Cut4843
Most dermatologists just treat the surface issue and forget the hormonal root. You really need to see an endocrinologist or a specialist who understands the hormone shift. Spironolactone worked for me when nothing else did.
3
u/trishia42
I'm curious to hear about women who started experiencing hair loss when they quite the pill (high androgen index pills) and whether HRT worked positively or negatively for them and hair loss... I lost a lot of hair density when I quit the pill initially many, many years ago. Then it sort of stabilized but then once perimenopause started, I started gradually losing more (dermatologist said AA), so I'm worried of rocking the boat once again but it would be nice if it would help too because yeah, hair loss is sort of devastating on top of everything else : (.
3
u/Islandsandwillows
I’ve heard good things about PRP there. It takes multiple sessions but I think people have good results.
3
u/Ok-Zucchini-5514
[deleted]
2
u/lapalmera
do you mind sharing what kind of situation you had with the minoxidil? allergic reaction?
2
u/Oakleydokley_Jr
I’m going through the same thing. :( hang in there.
2
u/Lightstorm16
I feel your pain - perimenopause is the absolute worst!!! I have had many people recommend the Vortex Wand to me butI have yet to pull the trigger on it (https://vortexhaircare.com/products/new-wand). But I have heard really great things about it as it provides a high-frequency treatment to stimulate your hair follicles.
2
u/FilteredFocus
Are you on HRT? If not you should strongly consider it. There are ways to control the DHT conversion so you don’t have this happening, such as saw palmetto. The dermatologist medications for the hair loss are only treating the symptom of a hormone imbalance. Once that root cause is addressed the hair loss will resolve itself.
2
u/Thelastunicorn80
ketoconazole shampoos can be helpful for some. One of the effects of ketoconazole is inhibition of the conversion to DHT which lowers the inflammation, sebum, acne and hair loss. It could be worth a try
2
u/Fine-Grapefruit7177
HRT helped me a lot. Check it out ferritin and thyroid function. Criscina hair loss treatment ampules is also great. Hair loss stops and new hair grows.
2
u/monimor
My gyn recommended Saw Palmetto 500mg. She said that it blocks the dht in the follicles (or something like that) and helps with hairloss
2
u/Sweet_Passenger_494
I have the tron helmet the company sent it to me but I haven’t been consistent so I promise I’ll start and I’ll share my results. It’s just such a demoralizing thing my huge bald patch when a thick pony tail use to be my favorite style
2
u/raw2082
I had a similar rash between my boobs and I finally got it to go away when I started taking medication for my mild insulin resistance. I really not sure if it’s from peri or going through cancer 7 years ago because the weight gain issues started shortly after I finished treatment and is a known issue from chemo. Anyway my rash after battling it for 4 years has finally gone away and I quickly dropped the weight without changing anything. I already eat healthy and exercise regularly but managed to gain 30 lbs after treatment. My sister is struggling with her weight after she’s turned 40 but she eats a lot more carbs and sugar than I did. That’s why I question if mine is also related to peri.
2
u/OkLie5597
I’m with you bc my hair is thinning and it’s hard!
2
u/Prinnykin
I used to have beautiful hair until I went on HRT and it all started to fall out.
So now I’m back on Yaz and I’ve stopped shedding. It’s worth a try if anyone wants to try birth control.
2
u/O_W_Liv
What did he recommend for the fungus? Dandruff shampoo?
1
u/Future_Literature_70
How interesting! I have the same issue, and I also have POTS. Tried Minoxidil but had a horrible itchy reaction all over my body and a massive headache for 2 days. Never again.
I have a Hairmax hairband, which I've been using for a couple of years. But I think the most helpful thing for me has been increasing my iron levels (good hair growth apparently starts with ferritin levels of 60-100; I was at 30!), massaging my scalp (sometimes with rosemary water) and going on HRT. I also use Alpecin caffeine shampoo, which I like.
It's all certainly better than it was, but still thin. I have a short haircut anyway, and I'll have to stick to it.
I've decided to try a hair topper if things should get worse in future.
But do please report back to let us know how the Revian light helmet goes for you. Not sure I'd really recommend the Hairmax; it was very expensive and I'm not sure how much it really helped (vs HRT/iron).
1
u/FearlessExtreme1705
Ketaconazole shampoo. I dont have any yeast or fungal issues and I still use it to block dht if my hair becomes super oily. Win win.
1
u/Superb_Case7478
I know you said you checked your ferritin, but be sure it’s above 50, not just “normal” range on labs. My dermatologist told me 20 was normal and it wasn’t . As soon as my iron got above 100 via infusion, my hair shedding stopped and started growing. I also have POTS, fwiw.
1
u/BagGroundbreaking186
Can you take oral minoxidil with spiro perhaps? I’m considering this combo. I’ve had pretty considerable hair loss since starting testosterone, so I’m hoping this works. I can’t believe how self conscious I’m feeling.
1
u/Puzzleheaded_Lab4913
Try saw palmetto- pumpkin seed as a supplement. If you can’t use minoxidil the Ordinary Hair Peptide Serum. I use that and minoxidil. I also use Nizoral for the scalp and the L’Oréal hair density booster line of products. It’s been helping me a lot
1
u/Typical-Face2394
A lot of women do well on Nutrifol
1
u/FrostingConsistent39
I use fibers in my hair. I’m balding on top (thanks Dad lol). And no one can tell.
1
u/Alternative-Pea-4710
A bit off subject, but as a menopausal woman, going to the doctor rarely makes for a good day. I was just told that I have “Severe Vaginal Atrophy.” So that’s great.
1
u/Immediate_Anything_4
Ghk Cu peptide injections and Omi gummy peptides
1
u/Difficult_Affect_452
What about oral minoxidil?
1
u/sucodelimao802
You aren’t alone! Mine started at 35 and was made worse my anemia. I use a compounded Spironolactone/minoxidil topical mix everyday and while I don’t have the hair I used to have, I still have hair. It sucks but I’m thankful for the hair I do still have. 🫂
1
u/Tiny-Meringue4333
I have a friend who has done the micro needling and PRP with amazing results.