HRT and hair (as in, whats on your head)

[RockerTerri]

The other thread on HRT has me wantin' to ask a question I have had for some time. Ive read conflicting information on this, whether HRT will help with thinning or balding hair (Ive read everything from girls with advanced pattern baldness going to full heads of hair to change in texture, etc). Most seem to agree that head hair will change though;

How about it? Any of you notice any difference in thickness or texture of hair? I have a full head of hair, but its thinner up front than id like (my bangs, mostly) and am wondering if any change from HRT is the norm, exception, or tall tale. I hate hats, cant imagine ever wearing a wig due to that (make my head itch!) and have enough that I pass well; but hey, I guess to worry about my hair is pretty normal...

Im babbling now. Thanks, Terri.

[Stephenie S]

Yes.

[Traci Elizabeth]

Your individual hairs on your head should become thicker & healthier. HRT can slow down male pattern balding but not replace hair already gone.

[GypsyKaren]

Well, I have hair where I used to have none, I'm still thin in places but I've had enough regrowth to let me ditch the wig quite awhile ago.

Karen

[Elizabeth 66]

As i keep saying on this forum, i have been doing a lot of research on Transsexual issues on the internet, i have found many trustworthy sources, and some not so reliable. I know that wikipedia.org is trusted by many, and the following information i have taken from that site, it does concur with other sites that i have visited:


Current facial hair is only slightly affected (some reduction in density, coverage, and slower growth) by anti-androgens. Those who are less than a decade past puberty and/or whose ethnicity generally lacks a significant amount of facial hair will have better results with anti-androgens. Those taking anti-androgens will have better results with electrolysis/laser hair removal than those who are not. If one is still in their teens or early twenties, there will be prevention of new facial hairs from developing if testosterone levels are within the female range.

Body hair (chest, periareolar, shoulders, back, abdomen, rear, thighs, tops of hands, tops of feet) will, over time, turn from terminal ("normal") hairs to vellus hairs (very tiny, blonde "baby" hairs). Hair on the arms, perianal, and perineal will reduce but may not turn to vellus hair on the latter two regions (some natal females also have some hair in these areas). Underarm hair will slightly change in texture and length, pubic hair becomes more typically female in pattern. Lower leg hair becomes less dense in concentration. All depend upon genetics.

Head hair may slightly change in texture, curl, and colour (new hairs that is, not hair that has already formed and reached the surface prior to HRT), this is especially likely with hair growth from previously bald areas.

Eyebrow hair becomes less "bushy" or scattered.

The link below is for the full article on the effects HRT for a Male to Female transition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hormone_replacement_therapy_(male-to-female)#Hair

I post this in the hope that it will be useful for you, and not as a claim on my knowledge nor in fact am i endorsing the accuracy.

[Sharon]

The answer to the question is "maybe." I have regained the slight bit of hair that I had lost along my hairline, but others aren't always as fortunate. As for body hair, I really never had very much, so there really hasn't been any noticeable difference.

[Linda St. John]

Yes, what others have said : hair that's gone will pretty well stay gone but you will keep what you still have ; the spiro etc. affects the production of DHT , the kind of testo that affects male hair growth.

[Schatten Lupus]

My question is, will I have to keep using products to regrow and prevent hairloss?

[RockerTerri]

If it becomes healthier, thats good with me. My hair is reeealy fine and weak, and breaks off. Im not going bald, its just very fragile. Irritating tbh.

Thanks much for the replies!

[morgan pure]

Yes-head hair comes back-fuller, thicker and softer. Shaved my arm hair and it came back much finer and blonder. Thank God-it's growing in and I might be able to get around a wig which I hate.

[noeleena]

Hi.

There is a point here being over looked & is very important , age.

Then that to will depend on hormons & if you are on other meds & if you have or had stress , so many factors come in to this & its not the same for every one, male or female then your own hormons ,
The older you are the less your hair will grow for some ,

im 62 & my hair is at about 15 % over all with being on h r t & body wise useing a epalater nothing up top & thats family related down the line , So really you have to look at every detail ,
I figgered i would not get any regrowth up top & im not bothered at all,
...noeleena...

[luvSophia]

After seven months of HRT (including Proscar) I haven't noticed any change in my hair itself, but I also did not have a lot of hair loss to start with. I have seen that it is much less oily than it used to be which is going to affect its texture. Where I used to have to wash my hair on a daily basis I am down to three times or so a week now.

[Melissa A.]

I was going bald, typical male pattern horseshoe. It was quite thin, especially in front. Now, it ain't perfect but it's pretty much a complete turnaround. I have very acceptable looking full head of hair. Results can and do vary, not everyone's genetic makeup is so lucky, and you need to be very very patient. two anti-androgens that have been known to help are Finasteride(propecia, basically), and Avodart. I started on Finasteride and switched to Avodart at some point, on the advice of my doctor, but it seems to me they both work. From what I'm told, they all help, though. Estrogen, Spironolactone and the other drugs all do their part to some extent. but again, you must be patient.

My body hair used to be pretty typically male-black and fairly thick on the legs, arms, tummy and chest. It's all pretty much gone, now. I still have to shave my body about twice a month, but it's hardly noticable even when it starts growing back.

Hugs,

Melissa

[CharleneT]

My hair is in fairly good shape, so it is harder to see. My hair line has definitely moved downward though. Also, head hair color is getting darker. It seems to have some more body ... maybe. Body hair getting lighter and finer ( can't tell if color change with face, I've had laser).

[pamela_a]

I've been on Spiro for 9 months now. A few months ago my doctor started me on Finasteride also (mostly because I asked her about using Rogane) and my hair is growing back thicker and fuller than it has in years.

[RockerTerri]

Good to hear this stuff! ATM finasteride is out of my reach (no insurance, that stuff is EXPENSIVE) but perhaps in 1-2 years, when I hope to have the sort of job that provides health care, I can get on it. My hair has definately gotten healthier, so maybe the spiro alone will do it; who knows.

Good to see results, especially from peeps older than me, pretty positive!

[Melissa A.]

Terri, one thing I did do along the way, until I didnt need to anymore, was have hair extensions put in where I was the thinnest. They aren't cheap(I paid $215, and of course, they need to be replaced eventually as your hair grows out), require some minimal maintenence, and occasionally, one will just fall out, but overall, I was satisfied with the results.

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[Maryanne_sa]

My doctor has put me on ******* of finasteride a day. I have been on them for a month, and so far, can't see any difference. How long was it before any of you on Finasteride noticed any difference?

Thanks,

Maryanne.

[Melissa A.]

It takes far more than a month. A fair amount of patience is required. Keep taking your meds, and just forget about the stress of constantly checking. I was on HRT and finasteride for eight months before I felt even a little ok(VERY little, lol, but I did it anyway) going without a wig, and even then, I needed hair extensions for a while after that. Even today, there are places I wish the receding had filled in, but didn't. But it did work for me, eventually. One day, months down the road, you'll look in the mirror, and go, "Woah. where did THAT come from?" Again, results can and do vary from individual to individual. Best of luck to you.

Hugs,

Melissa:)

[Karen564]

, so maybe the spiro alone will do it; who knows.



For male pattern hair loss alone, I can assure you that Spiro alone will not block all the Testosterone or stop MPB (male pattern baldness).

For that, you will need to add a Finasteride (good) or Dutasteride(best) to block the DHT(Dihydrotestosterone) which is carried in the Testosterone.

PS, There are generic forms of both drugs which are much cheaper than the trade (brand) names..