POSTED UNDER Spironolactone For Acne REVIEWS
Spironolactone for hair loss
ORIGINAL POST
Spironolactone for hair loss
fancyEApril 15, 2018
WORTH IT$1,200
My hair loss story started 7 years ago when I took my first birth control pills. Within two weeks i has tremendous amount of hair loss - I lost probably two-thirds of my hair. I stopped the pills but the hair loss stuck with me. Some months were better than others but over time I just see more and more of my scalp. No real conclusions or constructive advice from GP, OBGYN, endocrinologist or dermatologist. I gave up being depressed and got a hair piece for the last 6 years. At least I didn’t get constant reminder that I was near bald.
Then I got pregnant. Hair came back for a year. Then another dread shed and depressed again.
Then I saw RealSelf and learned about PRP. I went to see Dr Ben Paul in NYC in Jan 2018. After he listened to my whole story, his treatment plan to me is:
(a) spironolactone 200mg [my trigger is likely due to hormone as I did get better during pregnancy. Spiro should help suppress testosterone.]
(b) gave me one PRP treatment [i requested it as I traveled all the way to NYC. Dr Paul is honest - he didn’t think it will fix my problem but it will help a little]
(C) hair roller twice a day [Dr Paul highly recommended it. Like rogaine, but it’s his products and much high quality. I had major inflammation and flakes when I was using Rogaine].
My GP only prescribes 100mg/day. I diligently take spiro for 3 months now and use the roller twice a day.
You can see the pictures for the result after three months: before and after Dr Paul’s appointment.
I’m already soo grateful to Dr Paul for the improvement I’ve seen so far. I’m more excited for the continuing improvement I will see in the future!! At this rate, I may stop wearing wig in 6 months!
Thoughts:
1. I will need to stop spiro if I want to get pregnant again. It’s harmful to male fetuses.
2. The improvement may be due to the one PRP treatment but I’m convinced that it’s more the result of spiro.
3. The hair rollers are a lot more expensive than Rogaine. But I’d rather pay money than being bald.
Then I got pregnant. Hair came back for a year. Then another dread shed and depressed again.
Then I saw RealSelf and learned about PRP. I went to see Dr Ben Paul in NYC in Jan 2018. After he listened to my whole story, his treatment plan to me is:
(a) spironolactone 200mg [my trigger is likely due to hormone as I did get better during pregnancy. Spiro should help suppress testosterone.]
(b) gave me one PRP treatment [i requested it as I traveled all the way to NYC. Dr Paul is honest - he didn’t think it will fix my problem but it will help a little]
(C) hair roller twice a day [Dr Paul highly recommended it. Like rogaine, but it’s his products and much high quality. I had major inflammation and flakes when I was using Rogaine].
My GP only prescribes 100mg/day. I diligently take spiro for 3 months now and use the roller twice a day.
You can see the pictures for the result after three months: before and after Dr Paul’s appointment.
I’m already soo grateful to Dr Paul for the improvement I’ve seen so far. I’m more excited for the continuing improvement I will see in the future!! At this rate, I may stop wearing wig in 6 months!
Thoughts:
1. I will need to stop spiro if I want to get pregnant again. It’s harmful to male fetuses.
2. The improvement may be due to the one PRP treatment but I’m convinced that it’s more the result of spiro.
3. The hair rollers are a lot more expensive than Rogaine. But I’d rather pay money than being bald.
fancyE's provider
Replies (9)
May 17, 2018
How much is its cost? 1.200 really?
May 18, 2018
Maybe everything added up? I’m taking spiro but only on 100mg&no hair regrowth dunno y he hasn’t upped my dose,also use Rogaine past like 5months,gonna see another derm,my hair loss happened when I was extremely stressed,went to multiple derms¬hing finally some1 suggested a hormone test once I started birth control,spiro&rogaine my hair stopped falling out so much&face cleared up unfortunately took 2 long to find out&ended up w scars,hyper pigmentation on my face&frontal balding which I try 2 cover up using a spray or wearing hats
June 6, 2018
Hi, my problem is very similar! I'm scared to take the spiro because I've been told that the side effects are awful. Did you have any side effects?
June 6, 2018
I came back from my endocrinologist visit yesterday. My estrogen is very high (3x than normal). I’m at 125mg now. So I’m thinking to reduce it if it doesn’t drop. My period is still regular but seems to be much less and darker. I don’t notice any other side effects.
Lastly I also had a PRP session about four months ago. It definitely helps (my 3 month pictures). My hair seems to be less dense now :( the bald spot on the top reappears. I may need another PRP (it is expensive though...sigh).
You may already know - do not get pregnant when on spiro because it is bad for male fetus. My doc said usually it takes 6 weeks to clear the hormonal effect (ie stop taking spiro 6weeks before you try to conceive). Use contraception to avoid accidents.
June 7, 2018
Thank you so much for your reply. I've been all over the place. last summer my estrogen was non-existent. This summer I'm normal, but my testosterone was low. I decided to get on Bio T to get the wackiness under control. I have had PRP, but on my face. Yes, it is pricey, but my hair loss is depressing. I will give it a try. What is a hair roller (minoxidil)?
June 6, 2018
Fancy E, I just started taking Spiro in April as well, prescribed by my endo. My dermatologist prescribed me Rogaine, which is expensive than rollers, at least the kind I use. I hope to see results like yours. So this Spiro really works, huh?
June 6, 2018
I think it definitely helps for me at least. It seems that my trigger is sensitivity to estrogen/testosterone. Also I received a PRP in end of Jan which can last for several months. So it helps too.
What worries me now is when I look at the pictures I took at month 3 and 4, my hair at the top of my head seems to fall out again and the bald spot is now more obvious. :(( it is probably the PRP wears out. I may need to get another PRP soon. It is however costly ($1000/treatment session).
Also, the spiro seems to cause my very high estrogen level (3x than normal). I think I need more doctor-consultations.
June 6, 2018
Wow! We have the same issues, thyroid and testosterone. I don't know what PRP is. I have thinning at the top and temples. Perhaps you should screen for Thyroids. I switched from Synthroid to use Armour Thyroid. I feel so much better and I can see very little growth on my temples, still thin but at least there is growth and hope. Keep in touch for our progress.
UPDATED FROM fancyE
5 months post
After my Endocrinologist visit
fancyEJune 6, 2018
There is still a spot at the back that’s very thin. I increased the dosage to 125mg for about a month. I also saw an endocrinologist and did a more comprehensive lab test on various hormone level to understand more the effect of spironolactone on my body.
What I learn from my endocrinologist is
1. My estrogen level is almost triple of the high end of the normal range for the mid-menstrual cycle. Very high.
2. High estrogen is also the effect of birth control pills. High estrogen may contribute to breast cancer and endometrial (uterus) cancer. So with family history of these cancer, she doesn’t think it’s worthwhile to use spiro for the sake of hair.
3. She usually treats her patients with real problem (not hair problem - spiro is only off label use for hair treatment) of 50mg. So my dosage is mid range.
4. She suggested me to think the pros and cons of using this drug. Consider other non-hormonal treatments. Pay attention to any irregularity of my menstrual cycle. My period is still regular but the volume is lower and the blood color is darker.
5. My blood pressure is on the low side. My sodium is also low. So need to drink more water and eat a little more salty food.
6. Other hormone levels (FSH, LH, testosterone, Cortisol, DHEAS) are within the normal range.
My thoughts:
1. Originally I thought I would slowly increase the spiro dosage to 150, 175, 200mg (max per my plastic surgeon/hair specialist). But now that I know my estrogen level is this high, I will just keep at 125mg for now. I will also talk to my GP if I need to reduce it to 100mg or lower.
2. Ask my GP to test my estrogen level if she can during annual well women exam.
What I learn from my endocrinologist is
1. My estrogen level is almost triple of the high end of the normal range for the mid-menstrual cycle. Very high.
2. High estrogen is also the effect of birth control pills. High estrogen may contribute to breast cancer and endometrial (uterus) cancer. So with family history of these cancer, she doesn’t think it’s worthwhile to use spiro for the sake of hair.
3. She usually treats her patients with real problem (not hair problem - spiro is only off label use for hair treatment) of 50mg. So my dosage is mid range.
4. She suggested me to think the pros and cons of using this drug. Consider other non-hormonal treatments. Pay attention to any irregularity of my menstrual cycle. My period is still regular but the volume is lower and the blood color is darker.
5. My blood pressure is on the low side. My sodium is also low. So need to drink more water and eat a little more salty food.
6. Other hormone levels (FSH, LH, testosterone, Cortisol, DHEAS) are within the normal range.
My thoughts:
1. Originally I thought I would slowly increase the spiro dosage to 150, 175, 200mg (max per my plastic surgeon/hair specialist). But now that I know my estrogen level is this high, I will just keep at 125mg for now. I will also talk to my GP if I need to reduce it to 100mg or lower.
2. Ask my GP to test my estrogen level if she can during annual well women exam.
Replies (1)
June 7, 2018
Any endocrinologist that doesn't think hair loss is a real problem is a fool. It is one of the worst traumatizing things and woman can go through and it is also related to many medical issues. Spironolactone works well at 200 mg a day and even better when combined with minoxidil. I lost hair 19 years ago and have a better head of hair now that when my hair loss started way back then. Luckily for me had and great endocrinologist and dermatologist that caught and treated it early on.
Replies (14)
It is important to understand that this medication must be used "long term." Just like minoxidil, spironolactone is a lifetime commitment. If you gain improvement with spironolactone and then stop the medication, you will lose all benefit over 9 months.
The dose required to treat female pattern hair loss is 200 mg per day. Many women take 100 mg in the morning and 100 mg in the afternoon. Doses less than 200 mg daily are less effective. Women must never get pregnant while using this medication. Side effects include mood changes, breast tenderness, decreased libido, menstrual irregularities and dizziness. It can interact with some medications so be sure to tell your physician all medications you take. " this is what a dr on here posted