These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT
be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An indi
vidual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
[posted 07/28/2000]
Question: I have been taking FemHRT for three months. I have not had much problem with hot flashes any more, but did have some significant break-through bleeding on two occasions prior to beginning this, equivalent to an extremely long, heavy period. I feel good on the FemHRT, except I am having substantial hair loss. I think I would rater go through menopause with all the attendant problems than go bald!! I am thinking about quitting the medication, and was wondering if it is necessary to taper off or just stop. My doctor does not think that this is the problem, but I have read the literature on the drug and scalp hair loss is a side effect in some. I know my body, and I know that waking up every morning with a hair-covered pillow is certainly not normal for my body.
Answer: You can just stop, many women experience hair loss with sexual hormone replacement, similar to male pattern baldness in men. This is probably due to conversion of estrogen to testerone. Usually blunted/stopped by topical rogaine(works better in women than men) but would require daily rogaine.
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