Mary

Hello ladies,
I realize that it's been some time since any real discussion happened on this board. I, too, have been experiencing significant hair loss/shedding since approx. mid-July of this year. I have a hunch that it's telogen effluvium (TE) and that it may be seasonal. The thing is, I'm also wondering whether or not it might be connected to my use of birth control pills. At this time last year, I was going through similar shedding while simultaneously taking Tri-Cyclen. (I had been on tri-cyclen for approx. 1 year at that time.) By October of last year, my shedding had gotten to the point where I was losing 200 + hairs/daily. I decided to stop taking the pill with the hope that the shedding would stop. It did - almost instantly! In May of this year, I decided to try Diane 35 in the hope that it would clear up some mild acne. Within a few short months, my skin was looking beautiful. Sadly, by mid-July, the shedding had begun again and has gotten to the point where I am (once again) losing 200+ hairs daily. It's traumatic - hair in the sink, in my comb, in the tub, on my clothes, in my car - it's everywhere. I dread showering in the mornings, as I watch the hair fall into the sink as I comb it out. Has anyone had a similar issue with birth control? (More specifically, with Diane 35?) I've read that it is often prescribed to stop shedding/TE. I'm really stuck...
Thanks so much for listening/reading.
Mary

GoldiLocks80

Hello,
Well.. I have to admit its little comfort to see other women have the same problem. I wish I was the only one, and could go to the doctor and get this "fixed".
I have had seasonal hair loss for about ten years. I am 28. I first noticed it when I moved to Germany. I had lived there for three months, and had moved in the fall. I noticed lots of hair falling out, and it would tapper off as winter progessed. Come spring.. my hair grew back.. by summer my hair felt thicker. I have blue eyes, and thin, fine, curly hair.

The problem has been around when I was on birth control, and when I have been off (now off for three years). I do notice my nails are like talons this time of year.

I have thought to get my hormones checked out, but wunder about the weather change. I do not shed in summer, only in fall-winter. I take a multi vitamin a day, but think i should take more vitamin D. I am going to get NIOXIN, I tried that before. I cant say if it helped.

This time when I look at the ends of my hair, the folicle is thick, sometimes it looks like the scalp came off with it. I live in BC Canada, and the weather changed on us suddenly, went cold fast.

I wish there was some doctor who would do more research into this, they could use us a test patients!

Please post any changes, I will post again after i try NIOXIN.

HAppy HAir to you all,
Goldi

Mary

Hello Goldi...
I want to wish you SO much luck with Nioxin. Please do keep us posted! Can I ask what Birth Control Pills you've taken? ...I've been on Ortho-Tricyclen, Yasmin AND Diane 35 - all BCP that are supposed to PREVENT hair loss. (In fact, it seems to me that they're often prescribed to treat it.) Have you noticed that your hair is growing increasingly thinner as the sheds have occurred, or do you find that your hair has an almost complete recovery? Sorry, I don't mean to bombard you with questions... Agreed - it is little comfort to see that other women are experiencing this, but at the same time, it's good to know that I'm not entirely alone.
Thanks,
Mary

LoriL

Hello Ladies,
I live in Cali, and every May-Oct. I to go through shedding, and I to have had every test under the sun, and everything comes back normal. It is quite frustrating, my hair thickens up in the winter, and thins out in the summer. I think that it might be related to the heat. Lori L

a_drop_of_the_sea

I want first of all to respond to your question about bumps on top of your head. I saw my doctor yesterday because of hair loss. During my visit with her, I asked her to look at a small bump that had been on the top of my head for many months. It started out quite small, itching very little, but had somewhat increased in size. She said it is a sebaceous cyst. Nothing to worry about, but that I could either pop it myself (eeeewww!) or have her do it. But not to let it get larger as it would be more involved in the removal just because if it's size. So, I believe it is possible that you may have several sebaceous cysts which may itch a little during the night while you are asleep, and you may scratch them thus producing the little cuts you referred to.

About hair loss--I came across this website while searching for an answer to my own seasonal hair loss. Who ever would have thought of such a thing????? Yes, each year starting in about June or early July (because it is hard to pinpoint the exact time this starts) my hair begins to show up more and more in my brush, in the bath plug, on my clothes, you name it. It is quite noticeable. I was beginning to wonder if it has something to do with the change of seasons. From what I gather from research, yes, this is a possibility.

It is so frustrating, and strikes at the very heart of a woman's confidence.
I hope for better hair days ahead for all of us.