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Natural Progesterone and Hair Loss

by Linda Otley
(Highlands, Scotland)

Dear Wray, I wrote a few weeks ago with regard to perimenopause and hair loss. I have now been taking the Natpro cream for around 6-7 weeks. Previously I had been taking HRT (low dosage) for approx. 5 months. I came off the HRT completely and am now on my 5th Natpro cream. I have been taking 200mg a day (split between am and pm). A tube of 60ml lasts around 10 days. I also supplement with:

Ferrograd C (slow release iron) & L-lysine (500mg)
Vitamin B Complex 50mg
Vitamin D 5000 iU
Inositol 2000mg
N-Acetyl Cysteine 1300mg
1tbsp Hemp Seed Oil

So far, I have found the Natpro to be very helpful with hot flushes and in general my sleep patterns have improved. I am concerned, however, that my hair has thinned quite considerably during this past month. Am I using too much progesterone cream or not enough? There is so much conflicting information on the internet and I am feeling quite stressed about the best way forward. My iron levels are good and my thyroid is normal. I eat a balanced diet and get regular exercise. My mood swings are erratic and my sex drive is pretty low these days. I do hope you can help; hair loss for women is devastating.

Comments for Natural Progesterone and Hair Loss

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Oct 26, 2010
 Natural Progesterone and Hair Loss
by: Wray

Hi Linda I remember your previous query. I'm pleased you've increased the amount of progesterone you use and it's helping the hot flushes and sleep. And that you're taking a good amount of vitamin D too, plus the inositol and cysteine. But I gather you've only been using the high progesterone for about a month or so? And the above supplements too? I don't believe you are using either too little or too much progesterone, as it has helped you. Albeit 400mg/day eliminates hot flushes. It just takes time, nothing more. You are doing all the right things, taking the right supps, just time is needed. There is conflicting info on the internet, but most sites do not look at the studies done with progesterone. Very rarely is oestrogen dominance warned about too, this accounts for the extra thinning over the past month. It occurs when first using progesterone, but also occurs when increasing the amount as you have done. I must have given this page when you last wrote, but please read it in case not. I can't remember if I gave you the papers on hair loss, but please read through them here, here, here and here. Mood swings do take time to settle down, it's often one of the last symptoms to be helped. Libido is helped by progesterone too, in fact there's evidence it's progesterone which increases the level, and not testosterone, please see here. Ignore the title, progesterone has the same affect in women too! If prolactin levels are too high this suppresses dopamine. Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for sexual arousal. A high level of oestrogen stimulates prolactin secretion by lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary. This would occur as a temporary oestrogen dominance affect. Progesterone suppresses both prolactin and oestrogen, please see here. Progesterone is a mono amine oxidase inhibitor. Mono amine oxidase is an enzyme that breaks down dopamine and serotonin, so progesterone increases dopamine. A high level of stress also causes dopamine levels to drop and prolactin to rise. Prolactin can also delay hair regrowth. So many factors, but in the end, it's only time that's needed. Take care Wray
Nov 26, 2010
 Test results
by: Linda Otley

Hi Wray

My recent blood test reveals the following result:

Oestrogen (estradiol) 58 pmol/l *L (100-1500)
Progesterone 15.3 nmol/l (0-76)

Please can you advise what the ratio between the two shows?

Thanks for all your help and for such an informative website.
Dec 05, 2010
 Test results
by: Wray

Hi Linda Thanks for giving me these, it shows your progesterone is coming up. First the nmol/L have to be converted into pmol/L. To do this multiply by 1000, so progesterone becomes 1530pmol/l, then divide this by the 58pmol/L oestrogen result. It gives you a ratio of 264:1. I've found to feel well the ratio needs to be over 600:1, so you're getting there! Please have a look at our page on Saliva Tests. Incidentally the ratio can range from 200:1 to 2000:1. Thanks for the kind words. If you do another test please consider having a saliva test, it's more accurate. Genova Dianostics do them in the UK, see here Take care Wray
Apr 02, 2011
 Patience isn't my virtue
by: Natalie

Hi Wray,
This site has been so helpful. I had my hormones tested and had 33 testosterone, 137 estrogen and 0 progesterone. And finally my doctor put me on progesterone. The testing before that my testosterone and estrogen were similar with 4.9 progesterone and my doctor said my hormones were normal? I have now been on 200mg cream for two months. My hair has been thinning for over a year, which is one of the primary reasons I pushed my doctor to continue to test my hormones. I have had every blood test known taken and all normal. I eat pretty healthy and get regular exercise. Since on progesterone my hair thinning has increased and five percent body weight gain all in my stomach, breasts and thighs. Do you think my dosage is high enough and how long until I see improvement?
Apr 20, 2011
 Patience isn't my virtue
by: Wray

Hi Natalie I'm so pleased the site has been of use. Although you are using a good amount of progesterone, it can take time to help. Unfortunately I can't tell you how long, as we're all so different. If your oestrogen is 137 and your progesterone 4.9, your progesterone to oestrogen ratio is only 36:1, we've found from Saliva Tests we run that to feel well the ratio should be 600:1 and over. Did your doctor test for vitamin D? This is low in most of us, and it's vital for the angen phase of hair growth. For more info please see the Vitamin D council and GrassrootsHealth websites. A lack of vitamin D reduces the benefits of progesterone. A lack is also responsible for weight gain. It seems as if you could have developed Insulin Resistance. The weight gain can be due to excess testosterone, although your level does fall within the norm. If you're happy to use more, then do increase it, I can't tell if it will speed up the process, I wish I could! It would make my life far easier. Please consider taking 2000mg/day N-acetyl cysteine, 2000mg/day inositol, 2-3mg/day biotin and 100mg/day thiamine (B1). All these help hair growth. Take care Wray
Jul 25, 2011
 Any progress?
by: Anonymous

Hi Natalie,

I was wondering if you've seen any progress by now? I am thinking of taking natural progesterone cream too for hair loss and irregular periods but I'm scared that my hair loss may get worse because of it based on your story. So I was wondering if it has gotten better by now since it's been a few months.

Thanks a lot!
Anya

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