Does estrogen help with hair growth: How Hormone Replacement Treatment Affects Your Hair

27.05.198008.12.2021 by alexxlab

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How Hormone Replacement Treatment Affects Your Hair

Most of us have heard about hot flashes and mood changes during menopause, but what about hair thinning? Many women experience hair loss during menopause, but hormone replacement treatment may be able to help. Thinning hair during menopause can seriously affect your sense of well-being and your self-esteem. However, you’re not alone with menopausal hair loss. An estimated 21 million women in the U. S. will experience hair loss at some point in their lives, many of them during and after menopause. Our providers can help you determine underlying causes of hair thinning during menopause and help you find personalized treatment plans to help you feel better.

Hormone replacement treatment can help improve your quality of life during menopause.

What Causes Hair Loss During Menopause? Why Could Hormone Replacement Treatment Help?

During menopause, you’re likely experiencing a lot of changes, from irregular periods to night sweats and mood changes. Thinning hair can also occur in post-menopause. Many women notice that hormone replacement treatment can help reduce hot flashes and may even help their hair. However, what is it about menopause that makes your hair more vulnerable? In many cases, it’s hormones.

Estrogen and Progesterone

Estrogen and progesterone are hormones in your body that perform a lot of functions. For example, they’re responsible for menstruation and can help keep your bones strong. These hormones also help with hair growth. Estrogen and progesterone can help keep your hair in the growing (anagen) phase. Therefore, these hormones can help your hair stay on your head longer and may even help your hair grow faster. This may be why many women notice their hair thinning starts to improve with estrogen replacement therapy.

During menopause, your estrogen and progesterone levels naturally start to decline. This is what causes your periods to become irregular and eventually stop. Low progesterone and estrogen are also often to blame for thinning hair during menopause. Hair loss from menopausal hormone deficiencies can take many forms. Most women notice thinning throughout their scalps, which may be visible when you part your hair or you might notice a thinner pony tail. You may also notice thinning along your hair line, but this is less common for women. Low levels of estrogen and progesterone means your hair may start to fall out sooner and grow more slowly. The goal of hormone replacement treatment during menopause is to help your body attain healthy, balanced hormone levels, which is why many women may notice changes in hair thinning once they start treatment.

Testosterone

Declining estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can also lead to having higher than usual testosterone levels, as your hormones may become imbalanced. Generally, your body has more estrogen and progesterone than testosterone. Just like other hormones, your testosterone levels decline with age as well. However, in some cases, your estrogen and progesterone levels may decline so quickly that your testosterone may become more dominant in your body. Even if your testosterone levels are the same or within healthy ranges, without estrogen and progesterone to keep testosterone in check, you may experience changes related to this imbalance, including thinning, fragile hair.

Testosterone can also affect your hair, as certain forms of testosterone your body produces can shrink hair follicles. The most common culprit is dihydrotestosterone, also known as DHT. When testosterone becomes out of balance with estrogen and progesterone, your body may have higher concentrations of DHT, which may affect your hair. Shrinking hair follicles can make your hair finer, or smaller in diameter, which can make it more brittle. This can make your hair weaker overall, as the individual hair strands that you grow are more delicate. You may notice your hair breaks easier than it used to, or that your pony tail is thinner. In these cases, hormone imbalance treatment for your other symptoms may also help your hair become stronger.

Stress

However, hormones aren’t all to blame for thinning hair during menopause. Other common symptoms of menopause can also lead to hair loss. For example, stress is a common cause for hair loss and thinning for women at any age. Stress can cause your hair follicles to get “stuck” in the dormant phase of hair growth. If this happens, you may notice thinning throughout your scalp.

Many women experience high levels of stress during menopause. For example, hormone imbalances can lead to anxiety and depression symptoms. Another reason many women feel more stress during menopause can be due to other symptoms like hot flashes or difficulty sleeping. Not only can this affect your overall health, it can also lead to thinning hair.

How Can Thinning Hair Affect Me?

While thinning hair itself doesn’t usually affect your physical health directly, there are many ways hair loss can negatively impact your well-being. One study showed that 55% of women who were experiencing some form of hair loss also experienced symptoms of depression. In this same study, about 89% of those women noticed improvements in their depressive symptoms after receiving treatment for hair loss. Many women notice they have lower self-esteem, confidence, and negative body image after experiencing hair loss.

The problem with hair loss during menopause is that it doesn’t just signal hormone imbalances or extra stress, it can also cause negative consequences for your mental, emotional, and social health. Many women notice that they’re less likely to engage in social activities if they experience menopausal hair loss. They may also feel anxiety and stress about their hair. Over time, this can also affect your overall well-being and quality of life. Therefore, if you’re experiencing thinning hair, it’s important to talk to your doctor. If you’re experiencing other symptoms as well, our provider may recommend hormone replacement treatment.

What Role Does Hormone Replacement Treatment Play in Hair Thinning During Menopause?

Hormone replacement treatment during menopause may help with thinning hair if it’s related to hormone changes. Our provider may prescribe estrogen replacement therapy to help bring your hormones back into balance and back up to healthy baseline levels if you have low estrogen during menopause. This may help your hair in a few ways.

First, as we learned, estrogen plays a significant role during hair growth. Increasing estrogen levels during hormone replacement treatment may help your hair stay in the growing phase for longer than it would without hormone injections. It can also help your body keep testosterone levels in balance to help reduce the shrinking effects testosterone can have on hair follicles. In addition, some studies show that if you start hormone imbalance treatment early on for menopause symptoms, it may help you maintain your current hair density. This can help you reduce how much hair you lose throughout the course of menopause.

Also, hormone replacement treatment can help with symptoms that may cause stress, which can also contribute to hair loss. Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep difficulties, and mood changes can all play a significant part in high stress levels during menopause. However, estrogen shots can help reduce these symptoms and can also help you manage them more easily. This often results in lower stress levels, which can also help with hair loss when it is stress-related. Therefore, if you notice symptoms of menopause that are affecting your quality of life, it’s important to reach out and discuss your options.

Let’s Talk About Hormone Replacement Treatment for Menopause

At HerKare, our focus is to help women feel their best with personalized health care solutions. We understand the many ways menopause can impact your life, so we work with you to find treatments that are tailored to you. Our providers take the time to listen, then we’ll work together to find ways to help you improve your physical, emotional, and sexual health. We’re here to help you enjoy life, not just push through unwanted menopause symptoms. Schedule an appointment online today!

Hormone Replacement Therapy as a Hair Loss Treatment – Hair Loss Center

When women experience thinning hair and balding on the scalp, they have a number of options.

Women may opt for a topical treatment like minoxidil (Rogaine) or ketoconazole shampoo (Nizoral shampoo) as their hair loss treatment.

But women who are menopausal, experiencing severe hot flashes, and are prescribed hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for their menopausal symptoms may get a double-whammy benefit: HRT can be a good treatment for hair loss, as well.

About Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone replacement therapy involves taking female hormones, typically estrogen and progestin together. Women may get these hormones in varying forms, including estrogen and progesterone creams, pills, and patches.

HRT is most often prescribed to help women combat the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, including:

Difficulty sleeping
Hot flashes and night sweats
Moodiness
Loss of libido

Menopausal women may also take hormone replacement therapy to ward off osteoporosis, a bone-thinning condition that is common in women after menopause due to a drop in estrogen levels.

HRT and Hair Loss

Estrogen is related to hair growth — and hair loss. During pregnancy, for example, a woman’s estrogen levels are higher than normal, which signals more hair follicles to “grow” and fewer to “rest.”

While estrogen levels are high, women have full, thick hair. But when they drop, such as after a pregnancy or during and after menopause, more hair enters the “resting” phase, where it soon falls out and causes thinning and even balding patches.

So for women who have hair loss caused by low estrogen levels, hormone replacement therapy may restore estrogen levels, ward off menopausal symptoms — and slow hair loss.

HRT as a Hair Loss Treatment: Benefits and Risks

Although it’s generally only prescribed as a last resort for menopausal symptoms, hormone replacement therapy is a common and very effective hair loss treatment for some women — as long as they are menopausal or post-menopausal and are not at higher risk for adverse effects from HRT. It’s most often prescribed for women who have androgenetic alopecia, also called pattern baldness. Hormone replacement therapy has a number of benefits for both general health and symptom management, but also a number of side effects — which range from unpleasant to dangerous.

Serious side effects of hormone replacement therapy can include:

Slightly increased risk of breast cancer (when HRT is taken long-term)
Higher risk of dying if you do get breast cancer
For women with an intact uterus, increased risk of uterine cancer if estrogen replacement is not accompanied by progesterone therapy
Increased risk of heart disease and stroke
Increased risk of blood clots

Some women may experience uncomfortable side effects that are less serious, including:

Abnormal vaginal bleeding (which will need to be evaluated to rule out the possibility of uterine cancer)
Nausea and bloating
Irritability
Frequent headaches
Sore breasts

Before you start hormone replacement therapy, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the possible risks and negative effects versus the benefits of HRT. If you’re already at an increased risk for health conditions like heart disease, cancer, and blood clots, HRT may not be the best hair loss treatment for you. If you are prescribed HRT, it important to take the lowest doses that are effective, and to only take the drugs for the shortest amount of time needed to control symptoms.

Getting HRT: Progesterone and Estrogen Pills and Creams

Topical estrogen and progesterone creams and oral medications are generally the forms prescribed for post-menopausal women with androgenetic alopecia. But HRT will rarely, if ever, be prescribed for treatment of hair loss alone.] If you have other bothersome symptoms which might warrant HRT, in addition to hair loss, you’ll first need to undergo a thorough gynecologic and physical exam, and will likely have blood tests done to measure hormone levels before these drugs are prescribed.

You will need to check with your health insurance company to find out if hormone replacement therapy will be fully or partially covered, or how much your copayment will be. If you don’t have health insurance, costs can still vary greatly depending on the type of medication you get, and whether you take brand name or generic drugs. Prices may range from as little as about $7 per month to as high as $150 a month for hormone replacement therapy.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to deciding whether hormone replacement therapy is the right hair loss treatment for you. Talk it over with your doctor, and determine the best way to restore hair growth without risking your health.

Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles

Hormones influence hair depending on the woman’s life stage ().

4.1. Reproductive Age

The reproductive period in women can be affected by several hormonal disorders, such as hyperandrogenism, thyroid gland diseases, and hyperprolactinemia. These endocrine disfunctions as well as hypercortisolism and excessive growth hormone secretion, both occurring much less often, can lead to hair-growth disturbances, such as hirsutism, female pattern hair loss, and other forms of alopecia. Hirsutism is a common endocrine disorder which occurs in 5–10% of women of reproductive age, and is defined as excessive terminal hair in a male pattern in women [45].

Androgens, such as testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and their prohormones dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (A) are the key factors in the growth of terminal hair. They act on sex-specific areas of the body, converting small, straight, fair vellus hairs into larger, curlier, and darker terminal hairs [46]. Hirsutism is observed in women when there is excessive growth of terminal hair in sex-specific areas, typically due to androgen excess [47]. About 70–80% of women with elevated androgens present hirsutism, although many of them manifest excessive hair without hyperandrogenemia. Hirsutism is caused mainly by an interaction between the plasma androgens and the apparent sensitivity of the hair follicle to androgen, depending on the 5-alpha reductase activity levels and subsequent binding to the androgen receptor [46,47]. To evaluate the degree of hirsutism, a modified version of the Ferriman–Gallwey visual score is used [48]. The scoring system assesses nine areas of the body and assigns a score from 0 (absence of hair) to 4 (extensive hair growth), and the maximum total score is therefore 36. In non-affected women, the total score is typically under 8 (but this depends of the ethnicity of the women). The most common cause of hirsutism is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), accounting for three out of every four cases [49,50]. Other causes of androgen excess occur with much lower frequency. Nonclassic congenital adrenal hyperplasia is present in only 1.5–2.5% of women with hyperandrogenism, and androgen-secreting tumors occur in about 0.32% of these women. Diseases such as Cushing’s syndrome, hyperprolactinemia, acromegaly, and thyroid dysfunction must also be excluded as causes of androgen excess [51]. Hirsutism should be distinguished from hypertrichosis, which is excessive hair growth distributed in a generalized, nonsexual pattern and is not caused by androgen excess but is often the result of the use of certain medications (e.g., phenytoin, cyclosporine). The treatment of hirsutism is dependent on the cause and severity of the condition, but is generally based on pharmacological therapy (combined estrogen-progestin oral contraceptives, anti-androgen medication) and direct hair removal methods [51].

The second disorder associated with androgen excess in women of reproductive age is female pattern hair loss (FPHL). FPHL is characterized by a reduction in hair density in the central area of the scalp except the frontal hairline. The relationship between hair loss and androgen excess is not clear. Most women with the frontal-central pattern of hair loss have normal circulating androgens and do not present any other symptoms of hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism or irregular periods/anovulation [52]. This type of hair loss has also been detected in women lacking an androgen receptor, with a deficiency of post-pubertal androgenization or the total absence of serum androgen. Dermatologists therefore use the phrase “female pattern hair loss” instead of androgenetic alopecia to avoid suggesting a role for androgen excess in this type of hair loss [53,54,55]. On the other hand, many women with hyperandrogenism also exhibit and complain of scalp hair loss, which indicates a role of androgens in FPHL. Enhanced androgen action in the scalp may occur due to the increased activity of 5-alpha reductase and higher concentrations of DHT or due to androgen binding to androgen receptors [53]. Female pattern hair loss may first appear in adolescence/early adulthood or in the peri- or postmenopausal age range. Patients with androgen excess usually develop FPHL during young adulthood, and the cause of FPHL in postmenopausal women is more complicated and could also be dependent on estrogen deficiency. There is also the role of genetic factors in the development of female pattern hair loss (i.e., polymorphisms in the aromatase gene) and chronic low-grade scalp inflammation [56,57,58]. The treatment of FPHL should start with minoxidil (5%), adding 5-alpha reductase inhibitors or antiandrogens when there is severe hair loss or hyperandrogenism [52]. The role and the benefit of measuring prolactin in patients with FPHL is debatable and unclear. Futterweit et al. reported in their study that among 109 patients with female pattern hair loss, 7.2% had hyperprolactinemia and 1.8% had prolactinoma [59]. After hypo- and hyperthyreosis, hyperprolactinemia is the next most common endocrine trigger of telogen effluvium. In thyrotoxicosis, the scalp hair is fine and soft and the diffuse loss of scalp hair occurs in 20–40% of patients, although the intensity of this loss is not directly related to the severity of endocrine abnormality [60]. In hyperthyreosis, alopecia areata as well as axillary, pubic, body, and eyebrow hair loss are also observed. The hair in hypothyreosis is dull, coarse, and brittle as a result of diminished sebum secretion, and diffuse alopecia is observed in up to 50% of those patients. There is also loss of genital and beard hair [60]. Many skin problems are also noticeable in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease, independently of thyroid function. Alopecia areata is typically associated with an autoimmune disorder that causes thyroid dysfunction, and diffuse alopecia can be observed in about 60% of those cases [60,61].

4.2. Pregnancy

During pregnancy, the teloptosis phase is delayed and the number of shedding hairs is reduced. Moreover, the diameter of scalp hair increases during pregnancy [62]. This phenomenon is usually attributed to the effect of high levels of estrogen during gestation [62]. However, the complex changes seen in pregnancy (including increases in human chorionic gonadotropin, progesterone, prolactin, numerous growth factors, and cytokines) may well contribute to the increase in the rate of hair growth, in the hair diameter, and in the anagen/telogen ratio observed in pregnant women [63,64,65]. Hormonal changes due to gestation may cause some new terminal hair growth mainly at the abdomen, the lower back, and the thighs [66]. Sudden and severe hirsutism and/or acne during pregnancy may be a symptom of malignant ovarian or adrenal conditions, such as luteomas or Cushing’s syndrome [67,68,69].

Many patients suffer from telogen effluvium two to four months after delivery. Postpartum telogen effluvium (PPTE), a commonly described phenomenon, is explained by synchronized teloptosis and continues for 6–24 weeks and, rarely, can persist up to 15 months [70].

4.3. Menopause

The proportion of postmenopausal women is rising in the overall population, and issues of their general health as well as cosmetic concerns need proper attention. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) and facial hirsutism are often observed at menopause. Marked decreases in hair density and diameter occur during the perimenopausal period or transition to menopause [71]. It is suspected that the cessation of ovarian estrogen production and complex interactions with other hormones, growth factors, and cytokines contribute to alterations in hair growth characteristics [63,71]. Estrogen levels decrease abruptly after menopause, while androgen secretion declines gradually with ageing and is maintained until the later stages of life [72]. After menopause, the increase in luteinizing hormone (LH) maintains the ovarian androgen production. In the absence of estrogens and with the tendency to accumulate visceral adipose tissue, a marked decrease in sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations and the subsequent increase in the free androgen index are observed. Moreover, insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, which typically increase after menopause, may further exacerbate androgen secretion. Although the serum androgen levels do not exceed those found in premenopause, the described imbalance in estrogen and androgen production may lead to the appearance of a few terminal hairs on the face and a decrease in body and scalp hair. FPHL particularly affects the hair follicles from the parietal and frontosagittal areas. A decreased anagen phase and the regression of scalp hair to finer vellus is observed [70]. About half of the women report excessive facial growth after menopause [70]. However, understanding the role of the menopause on hair characteristics is difficult, as age-related changes may coexist and overlap with hormonal changes [63,73]. The incremental decrease in the body hair score with age suggests that this is not solely related to the endocrine changes of menopause [73]. Severe virilization with a nonmalignant origin in postmenopausal women is rare.

HRT Hair Loss & Regrowth: Separating Fact From Fiction

Menopause is a natural phase of every woman’s life. Unfortunately, for many women, menopause has many uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes and even hair thinning. Luckily, there is evidence that HRT, otherwise known as hormone replacement therapy, can help to stop and even reverse hormonal hair loss for some women. On the other hand, some women have the complete opposite experience and suffer from HRT hair loss instead!

In this article, we are separating fact from fiction when it comes to HRT and hair growth.

What is HRT?

During menopause, a woman’s hormonal levels begin to change. Production of estrogen and progesterone decline, while testosterone levels rise. These changes in hormones lead to imbalances that cause all those unpleasant symptoms usually associated with menopause like hot flashes, mood swings, and hormonal hair loss.

HRT aims to relieve uncomfortable symptoms of menopause by balancing hormone levels, either through the ingestion of synthetic or bioidentical hormones. HRT can take the form of pills, patches, or creams that are rubbed on the skin.

However, HRT is not without its side effects. If you’re curious about HRT, talk to your doctor to find out if this treatment is right for you.

The Link Between HRT and Hair Growth

Estrogen is linked with hair growth. That’s why many pregnant women experience thicker, faster-growing hair – their high estrogen levels are sending their hair follicles into overdrive.

So, can hormonal hair loss be reversed with HRT? In some cases, yes. By taking more estrogen hormones, some menopausal women may be able to stop and even reverse hormonal hair loss.

HRT hair regrowth is also possible for trans women with androgenetic alopecia (otherwise known as male or female pattern baldness). This is because androgenetic alopecia is caused by a male hormone called DHT, which is a derivative of testosterone. By undergoing male-to-female HRT, trans women begin to produce less DHT and in some cases regrow their hair.

What About HRT Hair Loss?

Unfortunately, not all women who take HRT for menopausal hair loss experience hair regrowth. In fact, for some women, HRT exacerbates hair loss. If you are experiencing HRT hair loss, talk to your doctor.

How to Deal with Hormonal Hair Loss

While HRT can help with hair regrowth, it does come with some pretty serious side effects. The good news? There is a simple way that you can disguise hormonal hair loss without turning to HRT. Toppik^TM Hair Building Fibers!

Toppik^TM Hair Building Fibers are premium, naturally-derived keratin fibers that are almost identical to human hair. These fibers have a natural electromagnetic charge that allows them to “cling” to your existing hair, instantly creating the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. They work for both women and men, and all hair types and textures.

The best part? Fibers are resistant to wind, rain, and perspiration, so you don’t need to skip workouts or worry about getting caught in the rain. That’s why they’re the #1 selling solution* for women and men to instantly transform fine or thinning hair!

And they’re so easy to use! Just follow these simple steps:

Select the Fiber shade that most closely matches your hair color at your roots. Fibers come in nine color-matching shades to suit every hair color.
Dry or style your hair as usual. Then shake Toppik^TM Fibers onto thinning areas.
For a more precise application, remove the sifter top from the Fibers bottle and replace it with the Spray Applicator. The Spray Applicator also allows an easier application to the sides and the back of the head.
For longer-lasting results and natural-looking shine, follow the Fibers application with FiberHold Spray.

Do you have any experience with HRT hair loss or HRT hair regrowth? Share your experience with other readers in the comment section below!

*Nielsen Measured Channels AOC Latest 52 Wks—W/E 02/24/18

Colleen Welsch

Colleen Welsch is a freelance beauty writer and blogger specializing in hair care, hair growth education and beauty.

Understanding Hormonal Therapies: Overview for the Dermatologist Focused on Hair – FullText – Dermatology 2021, Vol. 237, No. 5

Abstract

Hormones have an intimate relationship with hair growth. Hormonal replacement therapy is used to treat menopausal symptoms and to provide protection from chronic diseases for which postmenopausal women may be at risk. Additionally, hormonal therapies are prescribed for contraception and treatment of acne. Considering the widespread use of such therapies, there is a demand for further understanding of their implications in hair disorders. This article reviews the specific properties of current estrogen- and progesterone-containing hormonal treatments and their implications for the patient with hair loss. The complexity of the task comes from the paucity of data and discrepancy in the literature on the effect of the specific hormonal-receptor activities.

Introduction

Hormonal therapies containing estrogen and/or progestogens are frequently used in women for menopausal symptoms, contraception, and acne. A common scenario in the trichology clinics is a female patient with telogen effluvium or androgenetic alopecia on a birth control therapy or hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) asking if they can safely continue the hormonal therapy, or they need to switch or discontinue it since they are highly concerned about the progression of hair loss. Hormones have an intimate relationship with hair growth [1]. The objective of this review is to make dermatologists and particularly trichologists familiar with the specific properties of current estrogen- and progesterone-containing hormonal treatments and their implications for the patient with hair loss.

The collected information presented here was retrieved from a literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE that included studies, reviews and case reports/series addressing hormonal therapies and hair loss. MeSH terms and phrases used in various combinations in the literature search included: hormone, hair, follicle, progesterone, progestogen, progestin, estrogen, estradiol, hormonal replacement, birth control, alopecia and androgen. 44 relevant articles (excluding drug package inserts) published in English within the last 25 years were included. Our analysis shows that there is paucity of data on the risks/benefits of hormonal therapies with regard to hair loss and moreover there is discrepancy on the effect of the specific hormonal activities as outlined below.

Main Findings

Basic Terminology

Hormonal activityis the modulation of a specific receptor by effector molecules. Binding of steroid hormones (including progesterone, androgens, estrogens, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids) to their receptors induces a conformational change in the receptors, which subsequently serve as transcription factors and regulate gene expression [2-4].

Progestational activity refers to induction of a secretory endometrium to support gestation [5]. Progesterone receptors are additionally present in the mammary gland, brain, pituitary gland and immune cells [5]. The term “progestogen” refers to compounds with progestational activity [5].

Androgenic and estrogenic activities involve the development and maintenance of male and female sexual characteristics, respectively. Estrogen has important uterotropic effects and induces a specific growth pattern of the endometrium. In scientific studies, the weight of reproductive organs (prostate/seminal vesicles for males and uterus for females) has been used to measure estrogenic and androgenic activity [2]. Androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER) are also expressed in many other tissues including muscle, bone, gastrointestinal tract and skin [2, 5, 6]. Moreover, two principal isoforms of ER (ER-α and ER-β) have distinct, tissue-dependent expression and functions [5, 6]. Thus, androgens/estrogens can have diverse and nuanced effects, unrelated to virilization and feminization.

Glucocorticoid activity refers toa variety of functions, ranging from metabolism to inflammation. Glucocorticoid receptors (GR) are ubiquitously expressed, with particular prominence in immune-function cells [3, 5].

Mineralocorticoid activity refers to maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance [5]. Mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) are present in many tissues, including throughout the cardiovascular system, kidney, central nervous system and adipocytes [5].

Estrogen- and Progesterone-Containing Therapies

Hormone-containing therapies used for menopausal symptoms or contraception may involve estrogen or progestogens, or both. Some combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat acne in women who also desire contraception [7, 8]. Caution must be exercised when prescribing hormonal therapies as both estrogens and progestogens have been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular events, venous thromboembolic events, stroke and breast cancer [8-12]. Unopposed systemic estrogen therapy confers an increased risk for endometrial cancer. Therefore, progestogen therapy is given to prevent the overgrowth of endometrium and development of endometrial cancer in a patient who has a uterus and is taking systemic estrogen [5, 9, 12, 13]. Another option is to combine estrogen with bazedoxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) that creates a tissue-selective estrogen complex [9]. Systemic estrogen therapy may be given alone in a woman without a uterus [10]. Progestogen therapy may be given alone for the purpose of contraception.

While the intended actions of prescribed estrogens and progestogens are executed through their interactions with the estrogen and progesterone receptors, respectively, hormonal therapies may exhibit off-target activities through their interactions with other steroid hormone receptors [5]. The clinical profile of combined hormonal therapies is mostly attributed to the pharmacodynamics of the particular progestogen since the dosages of the estrogen have been reduced over the years to minimize the risk of adverse events [2].

Estrogens

Systemic estrogens can be prescribed as oral drugs, transdermal patches, sprays, gels or vaginal rings. The estrogens most commonly prescribed are equine estrogens, synthetic conjugated estrogens, micronized 17β-estradiol and ethinylestradiol [9].

Progestogens

Progestogens are available as oral drugs, combination patches with estrogen, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, injectables and vaginal gels/tablets. Progestogens are subdivided into two types: natural progestogen (progesterone itself) and synthetic progestogens (collectively known as progestins). Synthetic progestins are further classified based on their structural similarity to either testosterone, progesterone or spironolactone [5, 14, 15], and they pertain to one of four “generations” [2, 4, 8, 16] (Table 1).

Table 1.

FDA-approved synthetic progestins and their properties

Many progestogens interact variably with other members of the steroid receptor family, including the AR, GR and MR [5]. Progestogens can elicit various activities by binding to the AR, ranging from no effect to agonist, partial agonist and antagonist activity. The antiandrogenic effects of several progestins such as dienogest or cyproterone acetate are not ascribed solely to binding of AR, but also to competitive inhibition of 5α-reductase activity, thereby decreasing the conversion of testosterone to the more active dihydrotestosterone (DHT) [2, 5, 17].

The interaction of progestins with sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is also of important consideration. Some progestins may bind SHBG and displace testosterone that is normally bound to SHBG and functionally inactive, allowing more free testosterone to exert androgenic effects [2, 4, 18]. Androgenic progestins, especially those derived from 19-nortestosterone, can decrease the production of SHBG, which translates to increased free testosterone levels, further perpetuating androgenic activity [2].

Natural progesterone is devoid of any androgenic or glucocorticoid activities, although it possesses antimineralocorticoid effects according to some data [11]. Other researchers suggest that natural progesterone exerts antagonist activity at the level of the AR [4, 5]. Natural progesterone is also referred to as P₄ as well as micronized progesterone, and it is molecularly identical to human progesterone [4, 11, 19]. This progestogen has been said to be safer in terms of cardiovascular and breast cancer risks [9, 11] and is the one usually utilized in HRT.

Synthetic progestins may exhibit a range of effects in addition to their progestational action [5, 16], and their properties are summarized in Table 1, although there is discrepancy in the literature regarding the off-target activities of the different progestins. Earlier generation testosterone-derived progestins tend to be more androgenic [7, 8].

Pharmacodynamics of Combined Estrogen and Progestogen Therapies

The interplay of estrogens and progestogens in combined hormonal therapies is complex.

Both estrogen and progestins have antigonadotropic activity by providing negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and thereby decreasing endogenous production of androgens and estrogens [2, 18].

The androgenic activity of some progestogens may be counteracted by the concomitant activation of ERs. Ethinyl estradiol/estrogen can increase the levels of SHBG which binds testosterone and therefore limits the amount of free, unbound hormone that is available to exert androgenic effects [2, 7, 18]. Estrogen also inhibits 5α-reductase, decreasing the conversion of testosterone to the more potent DHT [7, 18]. Some authorities assert that regardless of the androgenic properties of the particular progestin, the net effect of all combination oral contraceptives is antiandrogenic when they contain ethinyl estradiol [7, 8]. Some COCs have been FDA-approved for the treatment of acne based on their antiandrogenic effects, and they include: ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone acetate/ferrous fumarate, ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone/levomefolate [7, 8].

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

The American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists advise against the use of bioidentical hormone therapy (BHT), owing to the paucity of high-quality safety and efficacy data as well as the lack of regulation over compounded products [12]. The FDA additionally cautions against claims to the safety, efficacy and superiority of compounded BHTs and their potential to mislead both practitioners and patients [12]. Some noncompounded BHTs have been approved by the FDA for use. The compounded products contain varying levels of estrogen, progesterone and even testosterone based on the provider’s discretion and patient’s hormonal levels and symptoms. The molecular structures of hormones used in BHTs are unaltered (as opposed to those used in conventional HRTs), which renders them identical to endogenous hormones produced within the body. However, there is no evidence to support that the unaltered molecular structure is more effective or safe. It is thought that the same cardiovascular and malignancy risks apply to BHTs as to other hormonal therapies. BHTs may involve various combinations of estrogens in the form of estradiol, estriol and estrone. The progesterone and testosterone used in compounded BHTs are each only of one form, their naturally found form [20].

Hormones and Hair

Androgens are principal regulators of normal human hair growth [21, 22]. Sebaceous glands, hair follicles and many types of skin cells express AR and the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to its more potent form, DHT [2, 21, 23]. The dermal papilla in the center of the hair bulb is a principal site of androgen action and influences keratinocytes of the hair follicle through paracrine signaling, regulating the size, shape and color of the hair as well as its frequency of regeneration [21, 24-26]. Androgenic or antiandrogenic activity results in loss or growth of scalp hair, respectively [2, 22, 27]. However, follicle response to androgens is variable [2, 25]. Increased levels of DHT can lead to androgenetic alopecia in the scalp but promote a male-type hair growth in other parts of the body [1, 2]. Additionally, hormones are postulated to play a central role in the progression of the hair cycle; for example, DHT is thought to shorten the anagen phase [28, 29]. The precise mechanisms of hormonal modulation of the hair cycle remain to be elucidated.

Certain polymorphisms of the androgen receptor gene are thought to facilitate ease of activation of the receptor, thus providing a genetic predisposition for androgen-related disorders. These polymorphisms have been demonstrated to be more prevalent in patients with androgenetic alopecia as well as acne and hirsutism [21].

The role of estrogens in hair growth is controversial and complex [6, 20, 24]. The increase in female pattern hair loss (FPHL) following menopause suggests that estrogen promotes hair growth, although high-quality data have not yet become available to confirm an association between hair loss and menopausal status [30]. Studies in ovariectomized mice, serving to model postmenopausal FPHL, have demonstrated that a decrease in estrogen results in hair loss [31]. Estrogen has been postulated to aid hair growth by extending the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle [32], during pregnancy, for example [6]. In the postpartum period, an increase in number of hairs in the telogen phase results in increased hair shedding [5, 6, 24]. Estrogen is presumed to be the principal hormone responsible for changes in hair cycling around pregnancy; however, the interference by other hormones (such as prolactin) cannot be excluded.

The differential expression and function of the two isoforms of ER, ER-α and ER-β, may also be relevant to the effect of estrogen on hair growth. Studies have demonstrated that ER-β is more strongly expressed than ER-α in anagen hair follicles of the nonbalding scalp [33], and FPHL has been linked to polymorphisms of the ER-β gene [6, 34].

In addition to their independent modulation of hair growth, estrogens are thought to treat androgen-dependent disorders by indirectly interfering with androgen action: for example, by increasing SHBG levels and reducing androgen availability [24].

Implications of Hormone Therapies in Hair Loss

Many authors, including those of this review, suggest authors hypothesize that hair loss in addition to acne and hirsutism are side effects attributable to the androgenic effect of progestogens [35, 36]. Additionally, some data have suggested an association between androgenic progestins and alopecia. A postmarketing surveillance study of Norplant, a levonorgestrel (progestin with high androgen activity) implant, noted statistically significant increased rates of alopecia in patients with the implant compared with controls [37]. In another study aiming to assess the incidence of hair loss in women after insertion of a levonorgestrel IUD, the adverse effect of hair loss prompted some women to remove their device; upon removal, some women experienced recovery of their hair loss, which suggests a causal association [38]. This study was met by the severe limitations of reliance on physician reporting of hair loss and inadequate follow-up. In a Finnish study of almost 18,000 women, 15.7% of women with levonorgestrel IUDs reported hair loss [39]. However, authors did not provide details that could support causality, such as timeline of insertion and removal of device, duration and severity of hair loss/growth, and other risk factors for alopecia.

Research thus far has been severely limited and therefore has not yielded high-quality data to establish a causal association between androgenic progestins and hair loss. Additionally, IUDs are intended to release the progestogen locally and minimize systemic absorption; therefore, studies examining the effects of IUDs are likely to underestimate the true impact of androgenic progestins on hair loss.

Few studies have evaluated the efficacy of cyproterone acetate, an antiandrogenic progestin not available in the USA, in the treatment of alopecia in women, with variable results. A year-long randomized trial compared the use of topical minoxidil and cyproterone acetate in 66 women with FPHL and determined that minoxidil was superior in women without hyperandrogenism; however, the subjective improvement in hair loss with cyproterone acetate was equivalent to that of minoxidil in women with other hyperandrogenic symptoms [40]. Another study comparing the effects of flutamide (competitive inhibitor of AR), finasteride (5α-reductase inhibitor) and cyproterone acetate determined that both flutamide and cyproterone acetate resulted in clinical improvement of female hyperandrogenic alopecia compared with untreated controls, but only flutamide yielded statistically significant results [41].

Hormone-Modulating Therapies: SERMs and Aromatase Inhibitors

SERMs are nonsteroidal drugs, originally developed to treat hormone-dependent breast cancer, that can act as estrogen receptor agonists or antagonists depending on the particular tissue and the particular SERM [6, 42]. They also exhibit differential activity with regard to different isoforms of ER [6, 42]. The selective nature of these agents is being exploited to develop new, multifunctional therapies, including those that selectively modulate AR [42], that perhaps may play a future role in the treatment of hair loss. However, there are currently very few data on the implications of SERMs in skin [6]. Aromatase inhibitors, also employed for the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer, decrease serum levels of estrogen by preventing its synthesis [6, 43]. SERMs and aromatase inhibitors have been associated with the induction of alopecia with features similar to androgenetic alopecia [6, 43, 44]. It is hypothesized that by inhibiting the activation and signaling of endocrine receptors, these agents cause increased levels of DHT and thus an androgenetic pattern of alopecia [43]. Treatment with topical minoxidil has been associated with clinical improvement in cases of alopecia associated with SERMs/aromatase inhibitors [43].

Conclusion and Authors’ Clinical Approach

While the role of androgens is commonly encountered in the study of hair biology, the consequences of commonly prescribed therapies with androgenic properties, as in HRT and COCs, have not been systemically studied, and data are lacking.

Based on the pharmacological properties of these drugs and the current knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of alopecic conditions, we tend to avoid therapies with net androgenic properties in patients with hair loss. Micronized progesterone is the main component of most HRTs and based on its largely antiandrogenic effect, it is acceptable to be used in women with hair loss. On the other hand, some progestins may be beneficial in treating alopecic disorders based on their antiandrogenic activity and inhibition of 5α-reductase (such as chlormadinone acetate, drospirenone, cyproterone acetate and dienogest). For patients seeking contraception who cannot tolerate the estrogen component in COCs, nonhormonal modalities (such as the copper IUD) or less androgenic progestins (such as the etonogestrel implant) should be considered. We also recommend close work with the gynecologists in order to provide individual tailored, safe and satisfactory hormonal contraception or hormonal replacement.

For breast cancer patients who experience alopecia attributed to SERMs or aromatase inhibitors, the authors’ approach is to add topical/oral minoxidil or other non-hormonal modalities to mitigate hair loss while maintaining the endocrine therapy.

In conclusion, there remains the critical need for hormonal therapies to be properly evaluated for effects on hair growth/loss before their implementation in clinical practice.

Key Message

Though data are sparse, commonly prescribed hormone-containing therapies may have important implications for hair loss.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Author Contributions

All authors have contributed to the literature search and composition of paper. All the authors have read and approved the final paper.

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Author Contacts

Karishma Desai

Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery

University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

1600 NW 10th Ave., RMSB Building Room 2023C, Miami, FL 33136 (USA)

[email protected]

Article / Publication Details

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Received: July 10, 2020
Accepted: November 08, 2020
Published online: January 19, 2021

Issue release date: September 2021

Number of Print Pages: 6

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Number of Tables: 1

ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)

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How Hormones Affect the Growth of Your Hair: Honest Hair Restoration: Hair Transplant Specialists

At Honest Hair Restoration in Bradenton, Florida, we understand how thinning hair and hair loss can change your confidence levels and negatively impact your life. Led by board-certified hair transplant specialist and medical director Martin Maag, MD, our team offers comprehensive hair restoration services to patients in the Tampa, Sarasota, and Ft. Myers areas.

If you’re struggling with hair loss, you may wonder about the causes and whether there’s anything you can do to prevent it. Although hair loss is common, different risk factors and underlying issues may cause changes in your hair growth, including your hormones.

Learn what you need to know about how hormones affect the growth of your hair.

Understanding how hair grows

Your hair follicles contain cells of protein at the bottom. These cells make up the root of your hair from which the hair grows. The root needs nourishment to keep your hair growing, which is delivered by the blood vessels in your scalp.

Your hair goes through cycles of growth and shedding made up of three phases:

The anagen phase, the phase of active hair growth that lasts for two to six years
The catagen phase, a transitional phase that lasts two to three weeks in which the root begins to shrink away from the scalp
The telogen phase, or resting phase, which lasts for about 100 days and includes the shedding of between 25-100 hairs each day

Different hair follicles are in different stages at any given time, with the largest percentage of hair in the anagen phase.

The role of hormones on hair loss

Androgen hormones, sometimes referred to as “male” hormones, like DHEA and testosterone, play the largest role in your overall hair growth. When your levels of these hormones are too high, you may experience excess hair growth, especially on the body or face. However, when your hormone levels drop, the reverse occurs and can lead to thinning hair and even hair loss.

The hormones produced by your thyroid also play an important role in hair growth and hair loss. When your thyroid isn’t active enough (hypothyroidism), your metabolism slows. To compensate, your body begins to shut down “less important” functions, such as hair growth.

Menopausal women and women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) or who are pregnant may also notice changes in their hair growth. This is typically because of changes or imbalances in estrogen and progesterone levels. The largest drop in estrogen occurs in perimenopause and menopause. Stress can exacerbate the effects of the loss of estrogen, causing further hair loss and thinning

Help for hair loss

Dr. Maag and the team at Honest Hair Restoration understand the emotional impact hair loss can have on you and how this may affect the rest of your life. Lower self-confidence and self-esteem can make it more challenging to do your best at work and in your personal life.

We’re proud to offer the best in hair restoration. Before beginning treatment, Dr. Maag examines your hair and scalp and reviews your medical and family history. This allows him to recommend the best treatments for your unique needs. Depending on your situation, these may include:

Hair transplants
Exosomal hair restoration
Follicular unit extraction (FUE)
Regenerative treatments ( platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, therapy)
Prescription medications
Low-level laser treatments

The best treatment for your hair loss depends on your hair-loss symptoms and the restoration goals you hope you achieve.

Contact Dr. Maag at Honest Hair Restoration in Bradenton by calling 941-739-9001, or book a consultation online now to learn more about hair loss and your treatment options.

What Causes Female Hair Loss? Hormones, Medications, and More

Androgenetic alopecia, a type of hair loss commonly called male or female pattern baldness, was only partially understood until the last few decades. For many years, scientists thought that androgenetic alopecia was caused by the predominance of the male sex hormone, testosterone, which women also have in trace amounts under normal conditions. But while testosterone is at the core of the balding process, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is now thought to be the main culprit.

DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone, is the enemy of hair follicles on your head. Simply put, under certain conditions DHT wants those follicles dead. This simple action is at the root of many kinds of hair loss.

Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase. Scientists now believe that it’s not the amount of circulating testosterone that’s the problem but the level of DHT binding to receptors in scalp follicles. DHT shrinks hair follicles, making it impossible for healthy hair to survive.

The hormonal process of testosterone converting to DHT, which then harms hair follicles, happens in both men and women. Under normal conditions, women have a minute fraction of the level of testosterone that men have, but even a lower level can cause DHT- triggered hair loss in women.

Certainly when those testosterone levels rise, DHT is even more of a problem. DHT levels can be elevated and be within what doctors consider “normal range” on a blood test, but they may be high enough to cause a problem. The levels may not rise at all and still be a problem if you have the kind of body chemistry that is overly sensitive to even regular levels of chemicals, including hormones.

Since hormones operate best when they are in a delicate balance, the androgens, as male hormones are called, do not need to be raised to trigger a problem. Their counterpart female hormones, when lowered, give an edge to these androgens, such as DHT. Such an imbalance can also cause problems, including hair loss.

Hair loss can also be caused by an imbalance of thyroid hormones or pregnancy, disease, and certain medications, which can all influence hair’s growth and shedding phases.

Hormones are cyclical. Testosterone levels in some men drop by 10% each decade after age 30. Women’s hormone levels decline as menopause approaches and drop sharply during menopause and beyond. The cyclic nature of both our hair and hormones is one reason hair loss can increase in the short term even when you are having a long-term slowdown of hair loss (and a long-term increase in hair growth) while on a treatment that controls hair loss.

Published on March 1, 2010

90,000 Hair: What to do about grooming, age, hormones

Instead, most only go to a specialist if the problem gets worse, but the hairdresser who always cuts and dyes your hair is very familiar with its usual thickness and texture. “Of course, in some cases you will need to consult a therapist or trichologist, but we can also tell you about the changes. This is why discussing the condition of your hair with a hairdresser is very important. ”

“If your periods start to stop, you can stop taking iron,” notes Kingsley.”Try adding vitamin D and omega-3s to your diet instead.”

At fifty

With menopause, many changes begin in the body, among which, most likely, the transition of hair to the telogen phase (the stage of regression of the hair follicle). “That doesn’t mean more testosterone is being produced, but there is less estrogen and progesterone to counter it,” Kingley says.

In addition to the hair starting to lose its natural pigment, you become more susceptible to sun exposure.“The melanin in the hair plays an important role in protecting from the sun,” says Kingsley. “It is especially important to use sunscreen on the scalp and hair itself, and to monitor the functioning of the thyroid gland.”

Don’t expect a quick fix as it can take months for supplements and dietary changes to work. “I usually advise you to wait twelve weeks before expecting results. In the case of iron, the time can be further lengthened because it is slow, ”explains Kingsley.And Dr. Acampora recommends monitoring the condition of the hair for six months before contacting a specialist. If you are particularly concerned, make an appointment as soon as you see fit.

At sixty and older

Postmenopause should be maximally hormonally stable in your life – finally! “Now the hormonal factor that can affect hair is stress,” says Dr. Acampora. Excess cortisol and adrenaline in a complex way increases testosterone production, which can lead to hair loss.

“If at this age you are worried about hair breakage and thickness, start taking antiandrogen drugs,” advises Kingsley. Another option is hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which will help not only the hair, but the entire body to cope with age-related changes.

What hormones are responsible for and affect the growth of hair on the head? | omaske.ru

When hair begins to fall catastrophically, the cause of this may be a hormone responsible for hair growth.Not always hormonal disruption can serve as a factor in hair thinning, but most often, after the restoration of hormonal levels, the loss stops.

Hair loss in women

Contents

1 Natural process or pathology?
2 Why does hormonal levels affect hair
3 What causes hair on a woman’s body to grow
4 How hormones work

Natural process or pathology?

Hair loss in women is a natural process that should not drive you into panic.The bottom line is that hair has its own definite course of life. The old ones weaken and fall out, and in their place new and strong ones grow. If the hair falls out little by little (in separate hairs), you should not worry about this. You need to rush to the doctor for those whose vegetation falls out in clumps.

The healthy life cycle of hair and active hair loss (baldness) must be distinguished. If the hair begins to thin out intensively, this may indicate a pathological condition.

Baldness occurs much less frequently in women.The causes of pathological baldness can be very different. But hormones are thought to be the main culprits. Therefore, first of all, doctors check their level.

After the diagnosis, the specialist draws up a therapy plan, which includes:

special diet;
taking medications;
separate recommendations.

Special diet for hair loss in women

Why hormonal levels affect hair

Hormones are bioactive elements produced in small quantities and are of fundamental importance in the work of the whole organism.They have a powerful effect on hair structure and growth. Among the most influential are estrogens (promote growth) and androgens (inhibit the follicle). In this regard, we can say that estrogen is a hair growth hormone, and their loss indicates its failure.

Usually both of these hormones are present in humans, but estrogens dominate in women and androgens in men. This is the reason that the strong half goes bald quickly. Women are also not immune from this, but it happens much less often.

By the way, the level of androgens in women for the most part rises when the work is disrupted:

ovaries;
adrenal glands;
brain.

Hormonal hair loss in women

This leads to menstrual irregularities. Acne may appear on the skin. Sometimes even infertility is possible.

In order for the body to function normally, the balance of hormones must be observed. And if it is violated, then something is wrong with the hair.Therefore, a clear ratio of growth hormones must be observed.

If the hormones regulating hair growth in women are in a phase of instability, you should immediately consult a doctor – you will not be able to restore the normal balance on your own. On the contrary, self-medication can only make the situation worse.

Pregnancy is a prime example of the effect of hormones on hair growth. During this period, as a result of the growth of estrogen, the hair on the head of a woman not only does not suffer, but also improves.After giving birth, the situation changes radically. And so in women, hormones fluctuate throughout their lives.

Pregnancy can affect hormones

From what hair grows on a woman’s body

Hormones affect the growth of women’s hair, not only on the head. In what cases can you face a similar situation, and what to do in it?

Androgen increase. Excessive hair growth on the body of women (chest, thighs, face) is a characteristic sign of hormonal imbalance.In this case, it is worth going to an endocrinologist – the excess of androgen in women is usually successfully eliminated.
Taking medications. Often, in the treatment of mastopathy, bleeding, endocrine pathology, breast oncology and Addison’s syndrome, drugs with male hormones are prescribed. These hormones are often found in oral contraceptives. The growth of hair on the female body in such cases appears as a side effect. If the doctor thinks that refusal from drugs will cause more harm than increased hair growth, you will have to fight excess hair with the help of depilation.

Hair on a woman’s body can grow when taking different drugs

Pregnancy. Due to hormonal changes, some women may grow hairs above the lip while carrying a baby. This is most noticeable in brunettes. If there are no other signs of androgen excess, doctors advise against starting treatment. When hair is seen where there was not even a sign of it before, you need to contact an endocrinologist.
Puberty. It happens that on the body of girls you can notice excessive growth of hair on the body.This may indicate a malfunction in the functioning of the ovaries, when estrogen is produced in insufficient quantities. Only diagnostics will help to determine the level of growth of androgens. On its basis, treatment is prescribed.

During puberty, girls can grow body hair

How hormones work

The effect of a hormone can be compared to that of a rejuvenating agent. In addition to the growth of bone, fat and muscle cells, you can notice the activation of energy, a decrease in wrinkles, an increase in libido, an improvement in skin elasticity, normalization of sleep, vision, memory and heart rate.The main thing is that hair growth resumes and its natural shine returns. Most effective hormonal drugs affect 30-year-old women and older, since the amount of hormones after the growth of the body stops at the same time begins to decrease.

With an imbalance of hormones, the following symptoms are observed:

sudden (unreasonable) weight change;
painful menstruation;
chronic fatigue;
Sleep disorders.

A hormone such as dihydro-testosterone directly affects hair growth.It is a testosterone derivative. It is he who is considered the enemy of hair follicles and the main cause of baldness and reduced hair growth.

Dihydro-testosterone affects hair growth

For those who are interested in anti-aging therapy, and who want to restore the previous amount of hair on the head, their shade and health, it is recommended to take hormones for their growth at least annually for a 3-month course. It is ideal to start this therapy as soon as possible. In addition, it is advisable to protect the hair, trying not to get carried away with a hairdryer, chemical agents (dyes, perms), not to subject to hypothermia.The drugs are taken in the evening, 3-4 hours after meals.

When taking hormones for hair growth, you should try to strengthen your hair by protecting it from wind, sun, sea or highly chlorinated water.

Timely referral to a specialist will help to avoid further problems. This is especially important for women in menopause: a violation of the level of hormones can provoke the development of various neoplasms.

The fact of the effect of hormones on hair growth should be determined only by a specialist – it has no distinctive features.Do not experiment with hair or put your health at risk.

How women’s health depends on estrogen

Estrogen is a female hormone that regulates the functioning of the genitals. In this article, we’ll show you how it affects a woman’s health and well-being.

How the body synthesizes estrogen

Most estrogen is produced by the ovaries. To do this, they use precursor hormones that have an androgenic effect.Also, small amounts of estrogen are produced by the adrenal cortex and adipose tissue in women and men. During pregnancy, estrogen is additionally synthesized by the placenta.

The body produces three types of estrogen: estradiol, estriol and estrone. In this article, we will talk mainly about estradiol, as it is most common in women before menopause.

Estrogen type	Action
Estradiol	Main estrogen in women of childbearing age
Estriol	Estrogen, which is produced during pregnancy
Estron	The only type that the body produces after menopause

After entering the blood, part of the estrogen combines with sex hormone binding globulin.The rest remains free. It is she who already goes to organs and tissues and is responsible for all functions. It turns out that globulin regulates the amount of estrogen available to the body.

Free estrogen enters cells, binds to receptors and thus regulates the production of various proteins and the rate of cell division that are sensitive to estrogen.

What functions does estrogen perform?

Researchers note that estrogen is involved in the work of almost all tissues in the human body.

In adolescent girls, estrogen is involved in puberty. He is responsible for:

Breast enlargement;
Growth of pubic hair and armpits;
Beginning of menstruation;
Adjusting the menstrual cycle.

In adult women, estrogen is responsible not only for the menstrual cycle, but also for the health of the heart, blood vessels and bones, brain function and mood, as well as skin condition. It regulates the levels of bad and good cholesterol, the formation of blood clots, the condition of the walls of blood vessels.

Menstrual cycle and hormones

The level of female sex hormones, including estrogen, depends on the phase of the menstrual cycle. There are 4.

Menstrual phase

Follicular phase

It begins on the first day of the cycle and continues until ovulation. In the ovary, women begin to form and gradually mature follicles containing eggs. Estrogen levels gradually rise and peak around ovulation. During this phase, the endometrium begins to thicken in the uterus, which provides nutrition for the embryo if fertilization occurs.

Ovulatory phase

The ovum leaves the mature follicle into the fallopian tubes, which are connected to the uterus. It is here that the fusion of the sperm and the egg occurs during conception, and then the embryo moves into the uterus and attaches to a special layer. If fertilization does not occur, the egg dies in the fallopian tube.

Luteal phase

After the rupture of the follicle and the release of the egg into the fallopian tubes, the corpus luteum remains in the ovary. It produces estrogen and progesterone, a hormone that also regulates the cycle and is needed during pregnancy.Together they prepare the uterus for fertilization. If it does not occur, the corpus luteum ceases to function, and the level of estrogen and progesterone decreases. Then menstruation begins.

If the cycle is 28 days, then ovulation occurs at about the 14th day – the middle of the cycle. Cycle times are usually 25-30 days, but can be shorter or longer.

Signs of hormone imbalance

The well-coordinated work of all hormones is a cunningly intertwined system that can be disrupted by stress, heredity, diseases, smoking, weight gain or loss, and certain medications.

Most common symptoms of low estrogen:

Rare or no periods;
Hot flashes or perspiration at night;
Sleep problems;
Vaginal dryness;
Mood swings;
Low libido;
Dry skin.

Typically, low estrogen levels are observed after menopause, the period when menstruation stops and egg maturation, which usually occurs after 45 years.Since this condition is associated with an increased risk of heart disease and osteoporosis, women are advised to discuss the initiation of hormone replacement therapy with their gynecologist.

There is no proven way to delay the onset of menopause. Quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, being physically active, and managing stress can help you feel better and reduce the risk of diseases that can lead to menopause before age 45.

In addition to menopause, hunger and a low body mass index can lead to low estrogen levels.For this reason, women lost their periods during the Second World War.

Symptoms of high estrogen levels:

Weight gain;
Problems with menstruation;
Low libido;
Fatigue;
Feelings of anxiety and depression.

Obesity in girls accelerates the onset of puberty and menstruation, while underweight can, on the contrary, delay them.

In women of all ages, elevated estrogen levels can lead to thickening of the endometrium and related diseases – endometriosis and endometrial cancer.

During pregnancy, estrogen levels can also be high, but this is not a big deal. This is a normal condition and levels will return to normal after childbirth.

Estrogen imbalances can be confused with other diseases and conditions. Therefore, if you have symptoms, it is recommended to consult a specialist. He will help you find out what is the cause of the problems and prescribe the necessary treatment.

Women’s health in a genetic test Atlas

As we wrote above, estradiol is the main estrogen in women of childbearing age outside of pregnancy.From the Atlas Genetic Test, you will find out to which level of this hormone you are genetically predisposed – low or medium.

Other female sex hormones that are included in the test report.

Hormone	Function
Progesterone	Creates conditions for pregnancy
Follicle-stimulating hormone	Controls the formation of follicles in the ovaries
Luteinizing hormone	Provides the release of an egg from the ovary during ovulation
Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DEA-SO4)	Essential for the formation and development of healthy eggs
Sex hormone binding globulin	Regulates the amount of free estrogen in the blood

In the Atlas Genetic Test, we also study the genetic tendency towards early menopause, which occurs before the age of 45, and assess the risks of obesity, atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.

Since these diseases do not only depend on genetics, we have developed a special questionnaire that takes into account the contribution of lifestyle. Based on this data, we draw up personalized prevention recommendations to help you stay healthy for as long as possible.

If you have already taken the test, you will find the hormone susceptibility in the Other health signs section. If you do not have a Genetic Test yet, you can purchase it on our website.

90,000 Hormone-Based Cosmetics – Dangerous or Useful?

Today, cosmetic companies intermittently offer various products that contain hormones.

Do they really have hormones?

And, if so, what more harm or benefit from them?

To answer this question, let’s first understand what hormones are.

Hormones are biologically active substances of an organic nature, produced in the endocrine glands, entering the bloodstream and having a regulatory effect on metabolism and physiological functions.Simply put, these are active substances that are produced by the body and affect the functioning of organs and systems. Now the production of synthetic hormones, completely analogous to natural ones in structure and properties, is widespread.

If natural or synthetic hormones are part of certain products, then these are no longer cosmetic products, but pharmaceuticals. These drugs are sold exclusively in pharmacies and should only be used as directed by a doctor.Hormonal external agents are used in cases where others – non-hormonal – simply do not help (for example, with fungal or bacterial skin infections). And when the benefit to the patient significantly outweighs the risk of possible side effects. And the range of such actions is wide: rosacea, anemia, oily seborrhea and hair growth of the skin, active acne, metabolic disorders, weight gain, disorders in the genital area, hormonal imbalance, oncology, etc.

That is why the use of hormones in decorative and care cosmetics is prohibited almost all over the world.And if you have a cream with hormones in your hands – this is not a mass production, but a “self-made” production. And such a cream can lead to serious skin problems.

Hormones are really important for our beauty and youth. A special role in this regard is played by estrogen (responsible for the elasticity of the skin), growth hormone (preserves the youth of tissues and muscle tone), dehydroepiandrosterone (promotes harmony). However, if you have a low level of some hormone, then this issue should be resolved according to the recommendations of an endocrinologist, and not with the help of cosmetics.

Another thing is when it comes to phytohormones – substances of plant origin, in their structure and properties resembling human hormones. The most popular among them are phytoestrogens – substances with an estrogen-like effect, similar in structure to human estrogen. Receptors of the skin react to them as if the content of the reproductive hormone estrogen has increased in the woman’s body. Due to this reaction, phytoestrogens are able to have a rejuvenating effect on the skin.

How effective are phytoestrogen-based cosmetics?

It all depends on the concentration of these hormone-like substances in each specific agent. If the concentration is high, then the agent will give the desired result, because phytoestrogen is able to normalize the synthesis of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, and, consequently, slow down the aging process.
But, unfortunately, in cosmetics related to the so-called “mass market”, the content of phytoestrogens is purely nominal.The situation with pharmaceutical and professional cosmetics is better.

However, in any case, doctors do not recommend the abuse of phytoestrogens – their use is justified only during menopause or with severe hormonal disruptions. Phytoestrogen-based cosmetics are not hormonal, they are safe and do not cause side effects. But if your estrogen is normal, then it is better not to accustom the epidermis to external stimulation, otherwise your own mechanisms of regeneration and restoration will begin to work much worse.

An alternative to cosmetics based on hormones and hormone-like substances are cosmetics based on peptides.

Peptides are shortened protein molecules that act on cellular structures to stimulate their growth. That is, here we are not talking about the introduction of active substances into the body from the outside, but about the stimulation of the cells’ own reproductive function. If we talk about the effect on the skin, peptides increase its ability to regenerate, stimulate collagen production and “protect” existing collagen, increase the antioxidant properties of the skin, normalize melanin production and improve local blood circulation.And all this without interfering with the processes of natural hormonal metabolism. Peptide-based cosmetics are highly effective, and at the same time absolutely safe for the body. It has no contraindications and side effects.

Today, peptides are the latest word in the beauty industry. They are actively used in the form of injections, used in facial and body care cosmetics, as well as hair regrowth products.

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Hormonal hair loss: causes and treatment

In the fairer sex, hormonal alopecia is often accompanied by acne and the appearance of secondary male sexual characteristics (hair growth around the nipples, in the area of the nasolabial triangle and chin, male pubic hair growth, excessive hair growth of the trunk and body ).

In men, excessive androgen production is most often observed in the presence of tumors of the prostate and pituitary gland.The “hormonal” cause of hair loss is an increased sensitivity of hair follicles to DHT. It is this hormone that affects hair loss that leads to the atrophy of a large number of hair follicles.

In women, such a violation is accompanied by menstrual irregularities and signs of hirsutism (excessive growth of terminal hair, or male-pattern hair growth). This condition is directly related to hormones that affect scalp hair loss. Such a paradoxical response to the action of androgens is explained by the difference in enzymatic processes in different zones of hair growth.Part of the follicles at the first contact with male sex hormones receives a signal for degradation, part – for excess hair growth. Rapidly progressive hirsutism is often associated with tumors. For women suffering from hormonal baldness, first of all, the level of sex hormones is determined. Treatment, based on the cooperation of related specialists (dermatologists, gynecologists and endocrinologists), includes the use of antiandrogenic drugs.

Over the past decades, significant progress has been made in the treatment of alopecia caused by hormonal disorders.It became possible to stop or slow down the progression of hair loss, as well as replace atrophied follicles with healthy ones transferred from the donor area. Today, the most important area in the treatment of baldness in women is the use of hair growth stimulants. The only drug for external use with a confirmed clinical effect is considered to be minoxidil ¹. With long-term regular use, this agent, which has a powerful vasodilating effect, increases the phase of active hair growth, leads to an increase in hair density and stops hair loss.

^{¹ Information source: Olsen EA, Dunlap FE, Funicella T, et al. A randomized clinical trial of 5% topical minoxidil versus 2% topical minoxidil and placebo in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia in men. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2002 Sep; 47 (3): 377-85.}

How hormones affect the growth of hair on the face and body of a woman | Beauty Secrets | Health

There may be several reasons for this trouble.

Imbalance

Any woman has more female sex hormones, estrogens.But in the body she also has male hormones – androgens, which are much less. In mature women, an excess of androgens usually occurs when there is a malfunction in the adrenal glands, ovaries and brain. At the same time, the cycle is sometimes disrupted – menstruation becomes rare and scarce. Acne and boils may appear. In severe cases, infertility develops.

The appearance of excess hair in women on the face, chest, lower abdomen and thighs is the first characteristic sign of hormonal imbalance.

What to do? Consult an endocrinologist. In most cases, excess male hormones can be dealt with. Usually a wedge is knocked out with a wedge – doctors prescribe hormones to a woman again, but already others – female, or hormones of the brain, or adrenal glands. Just keep in mind that hormonal treatment takes a long time – months and even years.

Side effect

Sometimes doctors specifically prescribe male sex hormones to women as a cure for uterine bleeding, mastopathy, breast cancer, adisson’s disease, acromegaly.Androgens are also found in hormonal contraceptives. When taking male sex hormones, the growth of facial and body hair increases – in fact, it is a side effect of the treatment.

What to do? If the doctor considers it necessary to take such drugs, it will bring less harm to the body than the lack of necessary hormones. Therefore, until the desired result is achieved, hairiness will have to be dealt with with the help of epilation.

Paradoxes of pregnancy

Hair above the lip can also begin to grow in pregnant women due to hormonal changes.This is especially often the case with burning brunettes.

What to do? If there are no other manifestations of androgen excess, there is no need for treatment. But if suddenly the hair began to grow where there was no trace of it before, an urgent need to go to the doctor.

Ripening time

Often, hair begins to grow vigorously in very young girls who are in puberty.

In some diseases of the ovaries, when they do not produce enough estrogen, male-pattern hair growth develops.

What to do? Blood and daily urine tests will help to reveal an increased level of male sex hormones. In difficult-to-diagnose cases, X-rays, ultrasounds, endoscopy, and computed tomography may be needed.

If the examination reveals a cyst or tumor of the ovaries, adrenal glands or pituitary gland, then an operation is necessary. After her, recovery is final, and there is no need to drink hormones.

Estrogens – metabolism, metabolism, imbalance.

Estrogens are involved in the formation of a woman’s body. It is on them that femininity depends – the ratio of the circumferences of the waist, chest and hips. Under the responsibility of estrogens is the work of the sebaceous glands, moisture and density of the skin, water-salt metabolism. But the main effect of estrogens is aimed at the functional work of the woman’s uterus and mammary glands.

What disrupts estrogen metabolism?

A woman’s body is affected by many factors that disrupt the correct exchange of estrogen.This leads to
the development of hormone-dependent diseases of a proliferative nature: mastopathy, uterine myoma, endometriosis.

Hereditary predisposition
Sedentary lifestyle
Gastrointestinal diseases
Endocrine diseases
Chronic stress

Taking hormonal contraceptives
Lack of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
Poisoning of the body with chemicals (phthalates)
Smoking

First manifestations of estrogen imbalance

Headaches
Chest pain
and in the nipples
The appearance of seals
in the mammary glands
Change of mood,
depression
irritability, etc.etc.
Onset of edema
Painful, profuse
or irregular
menses

Sharp fluctuations in weight
Increase or decrease
appetite
Unreasonable recruitment
or lack of weight
Skin problems
face and body
Pain during intercourse
Problems with conception
against the background of general
gynecological health

IMPORTANT! Impaired estrogen metabolism increases the risk of developing mastopathy, endometriosis,
uterine fibroids, polycystic ovaries, as well as CANCER OF THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS.

Timely appeal to
the specialist will help to normalize hormonal levels and maintain health!

How to restore the correct metabolism of estrogen

Scientists have found a whole class of bioactive substances (phytocompounds) capable of affecting estrogen metabolism
in a woman’s body. The most effective are: indole-3-carbinol (obtained from broccoli extract),
epigallocatechin-3-gallate (found in certain types of green tea), genistein and daidzein (secrete
from soybeans).

Broccoli

CONTAINS Indole-3-carbinol

ACTION

promotes the formation of “good” estrogen metabolites 2-ONE1 instead of “bad”
16α-ONE1
reduces manifestations of cervical dysplasia, including those associated with the virus
human papillomas
inhibits the processes of malignant transformation in cells infected with a virus
human papillomas
promotes apoptosis (death) of precancerous and cancerous cells
increases the protection of cells against carcinogens

Soy extract

CONTAINS Soy isoflavones (phytoestrogens)

ACTION

promote the formation of “good” estrogen metabolites 2-ONE1 instead of “dangerous”
4-ONE1 and “bad” 16α-ONE1
stabilizes hormonal levels in the body by stimulating the synthesis of a protein that binds
sex hormones

Green tea

CONTAINS Epigallocatechin-3-gallate

ACTION

enhances the action of indole-3-carbinol
blocks estrogen receptors in target tissues, which reduces the risk of developing
hormone-dependent tumors
selectively reduces the rate of vascular growth in neoplasms, preventing them
further development
has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties
reduces the production of the enzyme “aromatase”, which promotes the transformation of male
sex hormones (androgens) in female (estrogens) in adipose tissue

If a woman regularly includes these substances in her diet, then violations in
estrogen metabolism can be reduced to a minimum.

But not everything is so simple. For effective action, you need to eat about a head of broccoli, a kilogram
soy, drink it all down with two liters of green tea. And so every day. It is much more convenient to take
concentrates of these products in capsules.

STELLA – non-hormonal preparation for solving hormonal problems

STELLA capsules were developed with the participation of the Russian Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Contain immediately
three active plant components that are able to influence the metabolism of estrogen, effectively
relieving PMS symptoms.

Indole-3-carbinol

100 mg

200% *

extract
broccoli

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate

60 mg

60% *

green tea extract

Soy isoflavones

60 mg

120% *

soy extract

* of the recommended daily intake, does not exceed the maximum allowable level
consumption.

Regular intake of STELLA capsules

STELLA capsules have been clinically tested in women with proliferative diseases
reproductive system: uterine myoma, uterine hyperplasia, endometrial polyps, diffuse mastopathy
and with a predominance of the cystic component, endometriosis, and have been proven to be effective and
security.

“STELLA” capsules help to restore the disturbed metabolism of estrogen, and therefore, reduce the risk of developing hormone-dependent diseases of the female reproductive system.But to an even greater extent, STELLA capsules are a good prophylactic agent. Regular intake of STELLA capsules allows you to avoid serious gynecological diseases and their consequences.

Estrogens – getting to know each other

Surely everyone knows at least something about female hormones. But the majority hardly really represents all their significance for the body, possibilities and tasks. Estrogens is the general name for a subclass of steroid female sex hormones, derived from the merger of two Greek words: οίστρος – liveliness and brightness + γενος – genus.In women, estrogens are produced by follicles located in the ovaries during the first half of the menstrual cycle. And more intensely during pregnancy.

Broccoli is the most feminine vegetable

Even our grandmothers knew that common cabbage helps with chest pains. Today, another type of cabbage, broccoli, has become widely known. Not so long ago, studies by American scientists proved that broccoli is one of the most beneficial vegetables for the female body.

Soy isoflavones

Soy isoflavones are an inexhaustible source of women’s health. Statistics show that Chinese women who consume large amounts of soy have the lowest incidence of breast cancer. The results of many studies have confirmed soy isoflavones normalize the level of female sex hormones – estrogens.

The healing properties of green tea

Green tea has long been known for its many medicinal properties.It was taken to strengthen the immune system, and against indigestion and intestines, to cleanse the kidneys and liver, etc. Nowadays, scientists have discovered another amazing effect of green tea – it has the ability to prevent the development of certain malignant tumors, including breast cancer.

Estrogens

A whole class of hormones is hidden under the name estrogens: estradiol, estriol and estrone. Their mechanism of action is approximately the same, but different in strength.At the same time, estradiol is the leader, it is produced by the ovaries and is produced until the onset of menopause. During pregnancy, the level of estradiol decreases, and then the dominant hormone is estrone, which is produced by adipose tissues. During menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogens. But other organs of the woman, including fatty deposits, continue to secrete them. This is why estrogen blockers, while lowering the risk of breast cancer, also block the positive effects of estrogen on the brain and mental health.

Estrogens and the psyche of a woman

It has been proven that a woman’s mood depends on the correct production of estrogen. A woman with normal levels of female sex hormones is every man’s dream. She is calm and benevolent, attentive to her household and not annoyed by trifles. However, should hormones change their balance for one reason or another – shout the guard!

Men also need estrogen

Scientists have proven that men also need the female hormones estrogens.Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have found that men with low estrogen levels are at risk of developing the so-called “male menopause”, one of the most striking manifestations of which is low libido.

Do not gain weight due to hormones

Doctors say that fluctuations in a person’s weight and body fat are due to an inappropriate ratio between hormones.

Does estrogen help with hair growth: How Hormone Replacement Treatment Affects Your Hair

How Hormone Replacement Treatment Affects Your Hair

Estrogen and Progesterone

Testosterone

Stress

Hormone Replacement Therapy as a Hair Loss Treatment – Hair Loss Center

Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles

4.1. Reproductive Age

4.2. Pregnancy

4.3. Menopause

HRT Hair Loss & Regrowth: Separating Fact From Fiction

What is HRT?

The Link Between HRT and Hair Growth

What About HRT Hair Loss?

How to Deal with Hormonal Hair Loss

Colleen Welsch

Understanding Hormonal Therapies: Overview for the Dermatologist Focused on Hair – FullText – Dermatology 2021, Vol. 237, No. 5

Abstract

Introduction

Main Findings

Basic Terminology

Estrogen- and Progesterone-Containing Therapies

Estrogens

Progestogens

Table 1.

Pharmacodynamics of Combined Estrogen and Progestogen Therapies

Bioidentical Hormone Therapy

Hormones and Hair

Implications of Hormone Therapies in Hair Loss

Hormone-Modulating Therapies: SERMs and Aromatase Inhibitors

Conclusion and Authors’ Clinical Approach

Key Message

Conflict of Interest Statement

Author Contributions

References

Author Contacts

Article / Publication Details

Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer

How Hormones Affect the Growth of Your Hair: Honest Hair Restoration: Hair Transplant Specialists

Understanding how hair grows

The role of hormones on hair loss

Help for hair loss

What Causes Female Hair Loss? Hormones, Medications, and More

At fifty

At sixty and older

What hormones are responsible for and affect the growth of hair on the head? | omaske.ru

Natural process or pathology?

Why hormonal levels affect hair

From what hair grows on a woman’s body

How hormones work

How women’s health depends on estrogen

Estrogen is a female hormone that regulates the functioning of the genitals. In this article, we’ll show you how it affects a woman’s health and well-being.

How the body synthesizes estrogen

What functions does estrogen perform?

Menstrual cycle and hormones

Menstrual phase

Follicular phase

Ovulatory phase

Luteal phase

Signs of hormone imbalance

Women’s health in a genetic test Atlas

To answer this question, let’s first understand what hormones are.

How effective are phytoestrogen-based cosmetics?

An alternative to cosmetics based on hormones and hormone-like substances are cosmetics based on peptides.

Hormonal hair loss: causes and treatment

How hormones affect the growth of hair on the face and body of a woman | Beauty Secrets | Health

Imbalance

Side effect

Paradoxes of pregnancy

Ripening time

Estrogens – metabolism, metabolism, imbalance.

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