Posted by Tabitha on March 6, 2005, at 16:13:52
In reply to Re: Hair Loss, causes and treatment? » Tabitha, posted by Sarah T. on March 5, 2005, at 20:42:56
I think the idea is that some people's hair might be more sensitive to androgens than others, so the hair loss can still be androgen related even if levels are normal. Now whether you'll feel OK with your androgens suppressed, well you probably just have to try and see. Also, I got the idea that the androgen-related loss appears in the 30s and 40s for women as estrogen starts to decline, so another option is to use birth control pills to restore estrogen levels. Yasmin is the brand of birth control I've seen mentioned most often for hair loss. Diane-35 was also used, but it's no longer available in the U.S.
Spironolactone actually lowers androgens, which is why it's given only to women. The drugs they give to men (propecia and newer ones) are supposed to prevent conversion of testosterone to DHT without lowering testosterone. I wonder why that approach isn't also preferable for women with normal testosterone levels? Those drugs cause birth defects in male babies, but so does the spiro. I think there's just heavy marketing involved to avoid giving the new men's drugs to women to avoid lawsuits over birth defects.
poster:Tabitha
thread:465285
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/health/20050306/msgs/467471.html