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Low libido and hair loss

by Koloris
(England)

Hi

I am 53 years old and have been using progesterone and NatPro to balance my symptoms for the past 6 years. Until I found your site and progesterone I thought I was going completely mad and your advice not only saved my sanity, but improved my quality of life immensely, so thank you so much for your help and all you do to help us all.

I now have another issue, I originally went up to 400mg of progesterone, but now use around 150mg of progesterone every day to keep all my symptoms at bay, but for the past couple of years my libido has reduced to almost nothing and I’d say in the last year my hair has started thinning considerably. I thought perhaps adding in some form of testosterone may help but from searching your site, I see you don’t recommend it as it converts to oestrogen. Do you have any recommendations I can try to help?

Many thanks

Comments for Low libido and hair loss

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Jan 23, 2022
 Low Libido and Hair Loss
by: Joy

Hi Koloris

Welcome to the world of Peri-Menopause and Menopause.

I am so pleased that Natpro has helped you, you have clearly used it as it should be used.  You originally started at 400mg and as soon as progesterone became dominant and your adverse symptoms cleared you reduced to a level that suited you which is 150mg.  I so wish others would follow this, it would make it so much easier for them.  

An important thing to remember about progesterone, it is not the cure all for everything.  Yes, it is so important for most of our modern day illnesses. However, at times it needs help in the form of nutrients, progesterone can't "do it" on it's own.  The main thing is vitamin D3, if that is low it reduces the benefits of progesterone, plus the co-factors mentioned are vital.

Let's breaks this down.  You are 53 and probably still in Peri-Menopause.   If you have not had a period for 12 months that would put you in Menopause, same applies to hysterectomies.  Even if ovaries are left behind you are in menopause.  Major hormonal changes takes place in our bodies during this time, progesterone makes it so much easier to cope with.

Low Libido is very common during this time. Testosterone does not help with low libido as we are wrongly advised.  One thing that's not made clear to women using testosterone is it's the direct precursor to estrogen. Women make more testosterone each month than estrogen, but most of it is converted to estrogen via the enzyme aromatase. There are many hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides involved in the control of sexual behaviour. Some of these are progesterone, dopamine, acetylcholine, nitric oxide (NO), adrenocorticotropin/alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, testosterone, oxytocin, plus prolactin, serotonin and opioid peptides. All facilitate sexual behaviour, except for prolactin, serotonin and the opioids, which inhibit sexual performance leading to low libido. Furthermore, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, corticotropin releasing factor, neuropeptide Y, galanin, cholecystokinin, substance P, hydrogen sulfide (H(2)S), sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and vasoactive intestinal peptide may be also involved in the control of sexual behaviour.

Testosterone is commonly regarded as 'the' libido increasing agent in both men and women. Such a simplistic view warrants condemnation, as too many are given TRT in the belief it's the answer, without looking at the effects it has.

Side effects of testosterone treatment in women include:

hirsutism
scalp hair loss
acne/spots
oily skin and hair
deepened voice
enlargement of the clitoris
insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease
an increase in visceral fat (visceral adipose tissue or VAT)
cancer
an increase in advanced glycation end-products (AGE's)

Please read these on testosterone see here, here and here.

Dopamine appears to be essential for a normal sexual response. The amino acid tyrosine is the precursor to dopamine. Low dopamine causes prolactin to rise, adequate tyrosine can prevent this. Progesterone also suppresses prolactin levels.

Hair Loss has baffled researchers for years, there are now dozens of theories. Plus many, many studies have been done, but as yet no one knows why it occurs.  Some reasons why it could occur:

lack of vitamin D
stress, physical, emotional or mental
excess insulin
insulin resistance
excess free testosterone
infections
surgery
thyroid disease
lack of protein in the diet
low iron
drugs
contraceptives
chemotherapy
radiation therapy
fungal infections
persistent adrenarche syndrome
an adrenal or an ovarian tumour
hysterectomy
menopause
PCOS

You could also try taking some Inositol which is a B vitamin, also known as the alopecia vitamin. 4000mg per day is needed.

Please think very carefully about adding testosterone to your mix for reasons given above.  If you use the search bar and search for hair loss and low libido you will find so much info. Please also read references given.

Take care.
Jan 24, 2022
 Thank you
by: Koloris

Hi Joy

Thank you for your detailed response and explanations, it's exactly what I needed.

You are correct, I am now in menopause and still have one ovary. I do take all the co-factors to ensure I get the best from NatPro.

I will not be adding in testoterone and I'll do some further reading and take a look at Tyrosine and Inositol.

Thank you once again.
Jan 24, 2022
 Thank You
by: Joy

Hi Koloris

Thanks for your kind words. I am so pleased that you are taking the required D3 and co-factors, it is what helps bring it all together. Some people just don't seem to understand this.

Sadly nutrients are underestimated. They actually help and fix the situation rather than mask things over with drugs. Take one drug and you more than likely land up needing another one because of the side effects that the original drug caused. A vicious circle. Nutrients need to be given a chance.

I wish you well and please keep us posted.

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