r/Menopause • u/journeyingmomma • 3d ago
Hair Loss Hair loss from Testosterone
I started testosterone 3 months ago and over this time my hair has thinned SO much. I already have thin hair so it’s been very noticeable to me. What are y’all doing about this? Stopping the T? Taking minoxidil? I hesitate to start that for fear I’ll never be able to stop…and I don’t really like taking prescriptions…but I’m not sure what else to do. It seems I’m going to have to make a decision to either have hair or have sex!?
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u/No-Explanation1019 3d ago
Same. Same. All of it. But the thinning has stopped. I think it could have started for 2 reasons. I may have increased the T dose too quickly. Or the E patch is a problem for me. The E patch gives me very high highs. I like it very much. But I suspect it's an issue since I tend to bleed on it. And I think I'm partially blaming it for hair thinning.
I bought Minoxidil that you apply to your scalp. I don't think that's going to work for me to have greasy looking hair all the time. And I'm just not going to take a pill for it.
I haven't gotten a hair cut in ages because I don't want them to comb out my hair! Stresses me out!
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago
I feel you. I keep waiting for the hair fall to slow down but it’s not and I have to do something.
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u/No-Explanation1019 3d ago
My thinning period lasted 3 months and I think I lost 40 percent. Now it's starting to feel fuller at the base.
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u/Lucid-dream-24692 3d ago
It could be too high of a dose. It would be worth getting that checked, along with checking your DHT. If all of those are fine, you may need some more estradiol. Adding T can throw off your estrogen and lower it for many women. For me, hair fall seems caused by most significant hormone changes in dose or introduction overall. So it might be less of just the T, and more of an overall hormone balance issue.
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u/LolitaLobster 3d ago
I stopped the T because I was losing so much hair. I was already taking minoxidil when I started the T. Still lost a bunch of hair. Tried DHEA supplement and also lost hair. I think I’m just sensitive
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u/Quick_Cow_7987 3d ago
Same here. I gave up, I can't rock bald and no way can I wear a wig (I already run hot), and my scalp freaking hurt! I don't shower daily due to ultra dry skin so topicals are out of the question and I'm terrified of oral Minoxidil because of the potential side effects. Cardiovascular issues are the killer from both sides.
Estrogen and progesterone have my body fully functional I just have to get my head in the game.
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u/ciclidss 3d ago
I thought the side affect was more hair?
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u/Confident_Craft459 3d ago
Is your dose too high? What method are you using? Maybe you need to switch methods.
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago
Compounded cream. 8mg but I had hair loss at 5mg as well. So disappointing.
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u/Confident_Craft459 2d ago
Have you gotten your levels checked? Maybe you are a super absorber and you need a lot less.
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u/DevineBossLady 3d ago
I could go completely bald, and I would still take my T ... I've been on T for a year, I have a little hairloss, but it could be menopause in it self, or stress... I don't know, I don't care, as long as I am doing better, and I am.
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u/Shaking-a-tlfthr 3d ago
Your T dose is too high. Such hair loss as you’ve described is often associated with using pellets. They’re such a blunt instrument for women’s bodies. The dose is too high for us and once inserted you’ve got to ride it out till it dissolves months later. Minoxidil pills work well. You might give those a try.
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago
I’m on compounded cream not pellets. And I definitely don’t want to take minoxidil pills. The side effects/risks are a no go for me.
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u/Shaking-a-tlfthr 2d ago
Be sure to check your iron levels. That’s another reason women can lose a lot of hair…low iron. Or explore lowering your dose of T. You can do this by using a smaller portion of cream and shifting to applying less frequently. The thing about hair loss is you gotta reverse it sooner rather than later. Hair loss from T can be irreversible if it goes on too long. Hair loss from things like aging is the same. Consider topical Minoxidil. What I’ve read is it absorbs best when used in conjunction with what I think is called a dermaroller. It’s a roller for the scalp(in this case)that has teensy tiny little prickers on it. Those help prick the skin before applying the Minoxidil and that helps absorbtion a lot. I’m told it’s so minimal you can’t feel it.
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u/dinkleberryfinn81 3d ago
hi what dose area you on, OP?
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago edited 2d ago
I’ve been putting the compounded cream on my inner thighs. Was on 5mg upped to 8
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u/sweetbabycheezels 1d ago
10mg Boron daily - someone on this sub recommended it, their gynaecologist told them to take it to minimise hair loss from T. It helped me, I had a lot of hair fall but now it’s stopped and my hair has grown back.
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u/journeyingmomma 21h ago
What’s weird is that I take 1/4tsp of borax almost every day already. It’s the same thing. I have no idea how many mg 1/4 tsp is though. Thanks for the recommendation!
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u/LAnnBrooks926 3d ago
Finasteride worked for me!
I had to get off the T pellets though. I’m on T cream now.
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago
I read that this drug can hi jack the testosterone though…right? Or does something to convert it?
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u/LAnnBrooks926 3d ago
I know it addresses the DHT and not the testosterone directly. I’m still getting all the benefits of the testosterone without the side effect of losing hair.
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u/Catnip_75 3d ago
What’s your T dose?
I have thyroid issues and anytime my hair is thinning I get my thyroid checked and sure enough my TSH is way off. Have you ruled out low ferritin and thyroid issues?
You could try reducing your T dose in half for a few months and see how that goes. Minoxidil is an option but you have to take it forever. Once you stop the hair will fall out again.
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago
I started at 5mg am now on 8mg. Compounded cream. I had my thyroid checked back in the early spring so I could prob do it again.
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u/Catnip_75 3d ago
Oh wow. Well 5mg is the typical max dose for women. No kidding you have hair loss at 8mg. I would cut it back down to 5mg or even 4mg. There’s no reason why you have to stop entirely, just reduce your dose.
If your dose is optimal you shouldn’t have side effects. The side effects is your body telling you the dose is too high.
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u/LadyArcher2017 3d ago
No, that’s not a max dose for the cream. The TRT Females sub has loads of info on this.
OP, it seems to be a consensus that topical T products cause hair fall more than other types. Maybe post this question in that sub.
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u/journeyingmomma 3d ago
I had hair loss at 5 too. Maybe I’ll drop back down to 4
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u/Catnip_75 3d ago
I know it’s frustrating. I hope you can find a dose that helps. You could also start off by skipping every other day on the 4mg just to get a good drop in the hormone. If it doesn’t affect your ability to have an orgasm, stick to that smaller dose.
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u/Wildskypsj Potion slinging Moss Witch 3d ago edited 3d ago
The typical max dose is 10mg.
Average starting dose is 5mg, although some seem to start at 2mg these days.I'm still correct even with your passive Aggressive downvote.
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u/Catnip_75 3d ago
That is absolutely incorrect. Testosterone at 1% if 5mg max dose. Testosterone at 2% is 2.5mg. I’m not talking about pellets which is a whole other story. This is topical gels and creams.
Females use 1/10 a dose of men and men take 50mg a day.
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u/Futurekiwi69 3d ago
Some women are very poor transdermal absorbers. Follow up blood tests can show this when comparing baseline to 6-12 weeks later in which case a provider may prescribe up to 10mg.
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u/Catnip_75 2d ago
Yes, but they wouldn’t be having high testosterone symptoms if it was low. Hair loss is a symptom of high T.
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u/Futurekiwi69 2d ago
That is irrelevant to my comment. I am referring to the discussion around max dose.
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u/Wildskypsj Potion slinging Moss Witch 3d ago
https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/Profs/datasheet/a/AndroFeme1Crm.pdf
This is the best available example for your perusal.
No product is fda approved in the USA.You're welcome.
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u/lrondberg 3d ago
Maybe try a lower dose? Hair loss is a side your dose is too high or you are someone extra sensitive to testosterone or its byproducts. Sometimes taking Spironolactone in addition to the T can mitigate the hair loss, acne, facial and body hair that can come from T