Hair Loss

LegacyUser

Hi Guys

I’m a 25year only female and for the last 3 years I have noticed my hair has become thinner and thinner and I really don’t know what is causing it.
I have had blood tests in case it was a medical problem but they came back clear. I take a hair and nails supplement every day but it is still getting thinner. It seems thick enough at the back it’s just the front and top of my head. I’m terrified it’ll get worse as it’s already very noticeable.
Does anyone have the same problem or have any recommendations?

Thanks in advance.

L

Wibbs

I would say get more tests. If it was your GP they may well have only checked for certain obvious conditions. I would also suggest a dermatologist and an endocrinologist to check hormone levels. I work on the principle if the first diagnosis doesn't sit well with you, then keep getting opinions until you have a better grasp on your condition. Don't be fobbed off with "well it's just the way it is".

star-pants

+1 to what Wibbs said.

Get more tests - it could be related to a number of things, and stress might make it worse.
Are you on any medication?

pseudonym1

Have you started on medication or had any overdue stress?
There are some great herbal remedys and natural alternitives you should check out. Regular head massages with oil will help. Spicifically aimed products are usually expensive for now be sure and use a good shampoo and infrequent conditioner suited to yor hair.

A good hairdresser ought to be able to help you to cheat and make your hair look fuller!

Quaver

OP, do you "play" at your hair a lot? If you're constantly tugging at it or pulling it, or even twisting it around your fingers, this can damage your roots. You might not notice yourself doing this, so ask someone else. Also, tying your hair back very harshly all the time can have the same effect.

Genghiz Cohen

Quaver wrote: »

OP, do you "play" at your hair a lot? If you're constantly tugging at it or pulling it, or even twisting it around your fingers, this can damage your roots. You might not notice yourself doing this, so ask someone else. Also, tying your hair back very harshly all the time can have the same effect.

I've been told beanie hats or the like can cause receding hairline.

LegacyUser

Thanks so much for all the comments guys.

I think I'll go with wibbs and get re-tested as it is getting worse since i was last tested.

I dont play with my hair, very rarely touch it and when i tie it up i do so very loosly.

I am on the pill but have been for the last 8 years so I wouldnt think thats has someting to do with it.

Im not sure if it could be stress related. although I do hate my job (i know its a resession and im lucky to have one Im not cribbin) but i hate having to go in every day but saying that there is no pressure put on me and time off isnt a problem so i dont think i can put it down to stress.

My hair has always been greasy but gotten worse as has the hair loss, I need to wash it every night and by morning I need to give it a spray of dry shampoo,
Could the dry shampoo be causing problems.

I use head and shoulders to wash.

star-pants

Over washing *might* make it more brittle - you lose oil and natural minerals that are needed to replenish your head/hair/scalp.

I think you should get retested anyway - see if there's an allergy or anything. Perhaps a dermatologist to check that you're not over washing your hair.

I was curious about what tablets you were on because my mother takes drugs that have a side effect of making her hair thinner/fall out.

LegacyUser

star-pants wrote: »

Over washing *might* make it more brittle - you lose oil and natural minerals that are needed to replenish your head/hair/scalp.

I think you should get retested anyway - see if there's an allergy or anything. Perhaps a dermatologist to check that you're not over washing your hair.

I was curious about what tablets you were on because my mother takes drugs that have a side effect of making her hair thinner/fall out.

Just the pill at the moment but over the past while i have been on alot of antibiotica
I get sick a lot had the mumps recently and maybe my hair got a little worse then. .

Ya maybe the washing and drying might be playing a part in it, it just gets so greasy I hate going around with a big rotten head but id rather that than be bald i suppose ha

Wibbs

The increase of sebum/grease could be another symptom of an underlying problem. Any change of that nature could be systemic, so defo don't ignore it and don't be fobbed off. Any good doctor will see it as a possible indicator of something and will check it out. If nothing else to allay your fears and their own professional curiosity. It could be simple over washing or allergy to shampoo or stress or just a temporary thing that means bugger all, but best to check off all the possible problems it could be.

pseudonym1

Unregistered wrote: »

Thanks so much for all the comments guys.

I think I'll go with wibbs and get re-tested as it is getting worse since i was last tested.

I dont play with my hair, very rarely touch it and when i tie it up i do so very loosly.

I am on the pill but have been for the last 8 years so I wouldnt think thats has someting to do with it.

Im not sure if it could be stress related. although I do hate my job (i know its a resession and im lucky to have one Im not cribbin) but i hate having to go in every day but saying that there is no pressure put on me and time off isnt a problem so i dont think i can put it down to stress.

My hair has always been greasy but gotten worse as has the hair loss, I need to wash it every night and by morning I need to give it a spray of dry shampoo,
Could the dry shampoo be causing problems.

I use head and shoulders to wash.

Karystan (think thats how you spell it) do a shampoo that will suit - ask professional. Also washing your hair every day is not the answer it aggravates oils giving the appearance of greasy hair. Certain shompoos wont help not sure bout dry shampooing.

Try to stop washing your hair every day - know its hard but gets easier get some scarfs or hairbands to cover it and cut back to every 2 days. If you are fair talcam powder works in counteracting an oily look. Rinse with apple cider vinegar or lemon jucie to ensure all residue is rinsed away.

Please do a google search and check out thinning hair natural remedys. Dont think can link them here.

LegacyUser

hey L
I am 33yr old female with the same problem. if the hair loss is mainly at the top of your head but the back of your head is ok, and your blood tests have come back clear, then it sounds like it COULD be female pattern hair loss - which is the female equivalent of what men get.

I have been for every conceivable blood test as my hair started to thin about 10 years ago, but nothing ever showed up - i was always in excellent health, well apart from the stress of seeing my locks depleting! I eventually found a good dermatologist (having been to another) who took me seriously- she said the only way to see if my hair was thinning in the female pattern hair loss way was to do a biopsy, so she took a teeny bit of my scalp in a minor procedure. This came back from the lab positive. So she recommended me to go to the hair loss clinic affiliated with Blackrock Clinic where I saw a doctor who has given me a treatment regimen that is based on science not snake oil. So far I have seen some results but there is no miracle cure yet. But the longer you leave it the worse it could get.

Believe me, unless you have some kind of dietary deficiency which is very unlikely if you eat ok, then NO amount of supplements will help. My hair loss is genetically preprogrammed - it is therefore nothing to do with stress, diet, shampooing or anything I do. Nobody ever tells men whose hair is thinning that they need to eat better!!
here is a really good website for people in your situation: heralopecia.com
good luck!

LegacyUser

Hi there,

I know what you're going through and it really sucks! I'm 24 and when I was 21 noticed that my previously really thick hair had started to thin out a bit but over the past few months my hair has started to grow back. Here's what I did.....I hope these things might help you too.

1. I went to the doctor, got tested for all the usual things....no joy there!

2. I did a bit of Googling, to see if there was any connection with my hair loss and the shampoo I'd been using. I'd been using Pantene since I was 17 and my web search showed that lots of other women had the same hair thinning which they put down to using Pantene. I stopped using Pantene immediately, which was about 9 months ago and I have noticed a huge difference to my hair.

There are some expensive shampoos that you can buy for thinning hair which cost about 20 euro a bottle, but I couldn't afford that. I now use only organic shampoos, that have no chemicals in them - I got them in a pharmacy in Dublin for about 6 euro each. I've tried a few different brands, but as long as they're organic that's the main thing. When I was on holiday in Amsterdam with my boyfriend in October, I started using his shampoo (l'oreal) and my hair started to thin very quickly over a 2 week period, so I'm a bit convinced about not putting chemicals on my scalp - it just doesn't work for me.

3. I also started taking omega oils, which I think could have played a part. I've tried two different brands iQ and Eskimo 3.

4. Massage your head with your finger tips for a couple of minutes each day, brush your hair from the scalp to get the circulation and growth going.

Good luck OP

moco

Taking the pill can trigger hairloss so if you're not on Dianette already ask your doctor to change you over to it as it's supposed to help block the hormomes that cause hair loss and bad skin. Yasmin is another one good for hair.

Maybe try Viviscal but it's expensive, plus Nizoral shampoo is supposed to help. Also the hormone that makes your hair fall out is in the oils in your hair so if I were you I'd stick to washing every day to wash away the hormone.

cantdecide

My Mum is in her fifties and is suffering with this and it really gets her down. All I can say is that if there is a cause, chances are even if you knew what it was, it would take a significant amount of time for change to occur. Patience is key and try not to let the stress of the condition exacerbate things.

Time is on your side so also try and change your own routines and habits, and give it some decent time:)

LegacyUser

I am so please with all the comments its such a help,

I have just thrown out all my shampoos and bought johnsons baby shampoo just googled hair loss and they seem to think its good to use as its gentle and wond be as damaging.

the pill i am on is yasmin but have been on it years so maybe a change is needed.

I am kind of a hyper person and do get annoyed easily so maybe if i chill out and relax about stuff and relax about my hair it might do some good.

prinz

My OH is 24 and she has this issue so you're not alone. No real reason for it tbh. She's tried pretty much everything, but nothing seems to make a permanent noticeable difference. Just something that happens.Ya might have to learn to live with it. My OH can't face cleaning out the plughole in her shower anymore, I have to do it. Freaks her out to see so much of her hair literally going down the swanee.AFAIK, it happens actually fairly regularly and there often is no underlying cause. It just happens.

LegacyUser

prinz wrote: »

My OH is 24 and she has this issue so you're not alone. No real reason for it tbh. She's tried pretty much everything, but nothing seems to make a permanent noticeable difference. Just something that happens.Ya might have to learn to live with it. My OH can't face cleaning out the plughole in her shower anymore, I have to do it. Freaks her out to see so much of her hair literally going down the swanee.AFAIK, it happens actually fairly regularly and there often is no underlying cause. It just happens.

Is this very noticable, like do you notice her hair is very thin by looking at it or is it only noticable to her. mine was ok only i noticed buy no in photos i can see where its falling funny on my head
Its very upsetting im the same my plughole gets blocked while im using the shower. I just read the Johnsons baby shampoo isnt as harsh on the hair so maybe she could try that too, ive just stocked up myself.

Same has happened to me. My hair used to be extremely thick, so much so that I needed 2 or 3 bobbins to put my hair back and it was too thick to put into braids. In the last few years it's gotten thinner and thinner, not noticeable to most but it gets straggly looking and I hate seeing how much hair comes out in the shower. My sister needed to come into the bathroom once before I'd cleaned it out and she was so shocked at how much had come out. Asked the doctor and she said my hair looks fine, hairdresser said the same and that it's normal for hair to change. I'm not entirely convinced.

prinz

Unregistered wrote: »

Is this very noticable, like do you notice her hair is very thin by looking at it or is it only noticable to her.

It effects her more than anyone I think.She feels everyone sees it and looks at her, but I seriously doubt it. I notice it yes, especially around thhe temples area, but it also depends on how she has her hair styled, sometimes I wouldnt think of it and not notice, other times its like wow.. you're gonna be bald before I am :eek::D In her case she has an aunt who has a receding hairline too, so I'm wondering if it's genetic like in men. Her aunt always has her hair tied back, and my gf does the same, she used to do it a lot more but I'm convincing her to leave it down more. Not sure if that has anything to do with it but it can't hurt. tbh I don't notice it much anymore, until I have to pick her hair off my clothes. It seems theres always one hanging somewhere. Don't stress about it too much, that really won't help. And like I said, you're definitely not alone.

Goat Mouth

A Guy's Perspective.

Hi All, I've read through this thread very carefully.
I posted this before but i practically got snubbed, simply for being a dude.

Problem:
I'm 20 years old, I've had long hair since I was 14 I always kept neat, always trimmed the split ends on time. My hair was perfectly fine up until November 2008. I noticed a couple of months ago that my hair had been literally falling out in clumps. It's literally like walking around with a head full of decay. most of the hair has become brittle, and breaks at the slightest touch.
There is NO Pattern baldness in my family (i know it's maternal, but both grandfathers had full heads of hair)

like i said, I've been reading this thread and i noticed a similarity to myself in every post (bar the whole pill thing... duh)
there are lots of things that attribute to my current hair loss.

- I was severely run down with stress over the months around Christmas and i noticed that it wasn't just a few broken strands falling out

- I've used nothing but Pantene Shampoo every 2nd day for the the last 6 years. And a woman in work today told me that this was probably a good source of the problem that i should have kept changing the shampoo over the years

- I constantly play(ed) with my hair

- Contracted lice of a friend's child and scratched my scalp red raw before i knew i even had lice, and when i cured it, it damaged my scalp.
Because of which my scalp is constantly itchy/flaky

Also as a tip, I noticed in work on my desk chair the fabric ad caught and ripped hairs straight from my head and accumulated and almost unbelievable amount of dead hair... it was nearly soul crushing when i had to get rid of them.

Solution:
I've read all the advice here and I'm starting to feel better already...

Somebody mentioned Organic shampoo's and i was wondering, could we get a recommendation of a specific name or brand?

Also, on that topic, how often is it recommended that you should change shampoos?

I've been told this doesn't solve the issue, however, if the right precautions were taken i think it could help the situation I was going to shave my head (the idea doesn't bother my at this stage) or at least cut my hair and keep it short until I've treated my scalp and i feel confident that the hair has grown back healthily

Please comment back
Cheers
GM.

LegacyUser

I know how awful this situation is!I too have suffered from thinning hair but with me it's been along the parting where it's most noticeable. I first noticed it shortly after putting in a home hair colour that irritated me slightly. I'd also just had a couple of miscarriages so I didn't know whether it was a skin issue or general hormone or health one. It's definitely not as bad as it was a couple of years ago, I'm not really sure why. I went through a spell of eating fish a few times a week, I tried two courses of Nourikrin tablets, (quite expensive, think it'd be worth keeping it up for a few courses) I also stopped using perfumed shampoos, I only use E45 shampoo, it's lovely to use (my cousin is a chemist and she said Johnson's baby products are quite harsh for skin complaints like dermatitis or eczema, better to use Emulave or E45). I keep my hair just shoulder length, I notice too when it gets longer, it seems to get thinner. No tight hair elastics, or hair bands with teeth. Those little clip things though that have teeth seem to be ok, they hold my hair back with less stress at the roots.
Oh and if you really want to use a hair colourant, the Body Shop have grand henna ones.

NewFrockTuesday

Hi OP.

YOu poor thing. I can completly relate to what youre feeling. I had a peroid where I had so much hair loss that I couldnt tie my hair back because of all the bald patches that were shoeing.

I didnt notice so much at first as Id shower int eh mornign and get around to cleaning the shower plughole when the water wasnt going down quickly enough. I had really thick hair so at first didnt really notie. What copped me on to it was the fact that I was cleaning the plughole more and more often. Then one day..dunno...I was tying my hiar back and saw swatches of hair missing on a noticeable scale. When I tied it back, the area above my ears was nearly bald. I freaked, I really did. I went straight home and shoed my mother and she managed to calm me down but it was horrible.

It was an incredibly stressful period in my life so I took it to be related. To remedy I got my hair done every 3 or 4 days - thank god I have the best and most understanding hairdresser and hes local too so he knew what had transpired in the previous 12 months so he done it for free most of the time. I just wanted body there and not to feel like I was walking along bald. It did grow back, but it was through time and sorting the outstanding issues out I think. I searched desperatley for the miracle pill, but I dont think it exists.

Indulge your hair for the time being. Get it done to show volume and bosy and try to de stress. Other than that I cant offer anything. Mine grew back, but I did make some major lifestyle changes - I dont even know if that helped tbh. But its back so maybe it did.

To round up, it does happen, but sometimes its not permenent. Fingers crossed for you. (But defo get the hormones checked)

LegacyUser

Somebody mentioned Organic shampoo's and i was wondering, could we get a recommendation of a specific name or brand?

That was me! I used Organix Shampoo - their website is here, but I bought it in a pharmacy on Barrow Street, Dublin. I haven't really seen them in the big shops like Tesco but I'm sure they're around somewhere - they're about 8 euro a bottle http://www.organixhair.com/.

The other (cheaper) one I've started using is from the Colet Earth range, there's some info about it here http://beaut.ie/blog/?p=5949 . It's 4.99 a bottle and can be got at Tesco, Supervalu, Spar and pharmacies nationwide apparently. I don't know if one is better than the other.....but if I were pushed for an answer I'd say Organix because I used that one first and so saw the biggest change.

Once I stopped using Pantene and starting using the above shampoos my hair started to grow back very gradually over 7 months. It does take a while so don't be disappointed if after two washes it hasn't kicked it

Ann22

If Pantene causes a problem I wonder why...would it be a sensitivity to a particular perfume or chemical? If I took a reaction to Pantene I'd be inclined to start using a perfume free product..or something from the body shop with little or no chemicals.

Goat Mouth

Thank you very much, i'll have to pick up some Organix when i'm in town next.

I think if i'm going to notice a change after a few months i best cut my hair short so it can all grow back fully.

LegacyUser

OP, I hate to say this but all those supplements like nourkin and expensive 'naturally organic' shampoos will not do a thing for you. Take the advice of LosingLocks75 and go to as many specialists as you can so you address the problem at the source before you squander away more money on snake oil.

Nizoral shampoo contains ketoconazole that can help, not cure, hairloss. Why don't you start using rogain for women? At least it is scientifically proven to some extent to work, depending on how aggressive the hair loss is.

Don't let your hairloss consume your life, if it is really getting you down shave it all off, it can be an incredibly sexy look for some women with a nice body, Natalie Portman looked great with short hair.

Another website worth checking is hairlosstalk.com there is a discussion board there that is quite big.

One thing to remember don't believe everything you read on the internet, in magazines or from your hairdresser.

lisajane

The hair on my legs has been falling out slowly for the past few months. Ok, its not the head and coming from the legs its great. But if there is an underlying cause i would like to get it sorted.

What kind of tests have ye all been tested for? I have already been tested for thyroid, lipid, coelic disease. They are all fine. I feel so silly going back again and asking for every possible test.

anewme

I am so pleased to have found this thread. I am late 30's and reckon my hair has been thinning for the past 8 years.

It is usual to lose at least 75 hairs a day, I am not even losing that much, but I think what is happening is what I am losing is not being replaced. I have tried to talk to my family, who dont believe me and went to my GP who said, you have loads of hair and even if you havent, there is nothing you can do.

I definitely think something is wrong (I reckon I have AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia) which is female pattern baldness as my hairloss is very slow. Either that or it is hormone related. I can feel my fringe is almost gone and the top of my parting has gone very wide. My overall hair is thinner than it was too.

It is making me depressed to be honest and I think about it 100% of the time. I have never been sick in my life and would like to speak to someone about it. I dont want to go back to my local GP as she fobbed me off.

wandatowell

Wibbs wrote: »

endocrinologist

Excellent advice there.

I had severe problems with my thyroid gland about 2 years ago, lost allot of hair (which grew back). If I could add one thing it would be to ALWAYS get a second opinion w/ reference to medical diagnosis'. My first doc told me I had either cancer or diabetes. Dont fret and make an appointment in the morning.

KittyeeTrix

I too suffered hair loss to the front of my head whilst I had the contraceptive coil fitted the plastic one, not the old copper one).
Read on the net that the coil in question releases levengesterol, a type of hormone, progesterone I think. Forgive my forgetfullness, it was over 3 years ago.....
As well as the hair thinning the area to the front of my head was incredibly itchy and looked red,
Anyhow, after I had the coil removed it was never itchy again and the thinning has stopped!!!!!!!!!!!!
Could be coincidence but I believe it was the coil causing the problem. Am on Yasmin now with no problems at all

Westfalia2

Hi OP,

I have been taking a supplement called MSM for the last 6 months and am shocked at how quickly my hair is growing - seems like a couple of cms every month. I've been taking it because it's supposed to be great for overall health maintenance; the hair growth is just one of the side effects. I didn't have particular problems with hair loss although I did notice quite a bit coming out when I washed it - strangely, more so when the seasons were changing. Since I started on the MSM I feel like I haven't lost a hair! My nails are also in great condition.
You buy MSM in a powder and can get it in good health food shops - the brand name is Solgar, brown bottles with a gold label. You take half a teaspoon with half the amount of Vit C (eg 3000 mg of MSM to 1500 of Vit C). It's kind of bitter so I take it in orange juice. You need to drink lots of water with it as it has a detoxifying effect and will give you a headache if you get dehydrated.

I promise I don't have a vested interest in the product other than being happy to recommend it! Have a Google - MSM (Methylsulphonylmethane)

oca-star*

Hey All,

I'm also 25 and experiencing exactly the same problem.Mine happened suddenly within 3 months i lost over a third of my hair.I've been taking numberous supplements i now use a shampoo alot of other products to see if they make any difference.they cost 300eur.I have went to numberous hair specialists who said my hair will grow back but as you can imagine im still worried.ive made an app with a dermatologist so i've an app in june so hopefully she'll be able to shed some light.
When i first noticed this i was on augmenten duo for an infection.

Have you been to any specialists?

Im 28 and have the same problem, it started last year. I use to have really really thick hair and then all of a sudden I noticed that it wasnt as thick anymore and has been getting thinner and thinner and thinner. All my blood tests came back normal, iv bad dandruff and my hair is gotten so brittal. Was going to try the hair loss treatment but its soo expensive and you have to do it for 6 months, and cant take it if your trying to concieve which I am.
So Im like you and have no idea what to do next. It gets me down as I notice it every time I have a shower and I get depressed and try not to touch It as much.
Hope you find a solution to your hairloss soon

LegacyUser

I have had the same problem

I know there have been so many replies and so many helpful ones and all people are different so I will tell you my experience.

I am a 32 year old female. I have always had fine hair about 10 years ago i had thinning hair - turned out it was bvitamin deficiency. I took brewers yeast which worked really well, hair grew back nice and thick.

This last year my hair began to thin out really badly more that it was breaking. It started really badly when I started taking two things - chromium piccolinate (recommended by a nutritionist for sugar cravings) and Cerazette mini pill which is degestrol. Hair is slowly coming back I am taking Priorin N that I ordered from Jan De Vries in Phibsboro and zinc and also bvitamins. I am a little afraid of taking the brewers yeast now as I think it could cause Thrush but I have been told by a nutritionist friend that it shouldn't.

The Priorin N is pricey 48e for 90 capsules but if it works I dont care. I think it is slowly growing back but the product I am using to help me is nanogen. A girl reccommended them to me on the weddingsonline website and they are brillant.

basically its like tiny hair fibres that stick to your hair and make your hair look thicker. It really works and has taken my mind off my hair loss which was starting to really freak me out and i think the more you worry about it the worse it gets. Anyway google nanogen - its brillant, but get the darker colour for your hair.

You basically sprinkle it onto your hair when its dry and blend it in and its really good. I have black hair (dyed) so I have to make sure that I dye my hair or it is more noticeable that its on my scalp.

I hope that helps - even my boyfriend - who said it wasnt noticeable (think he was trying to save my feelings and stop me panicking) says that it is brillant stuff. So it has deffo taken the worry out of my hair.

LegacyUser

I too have had hair loss like this, about 10 years ago, spent a lot of money & time trying to get to the bottom of it, it was a nightmare and the more i stressed about it the worse it got. anyway long story short, it was because i had lost weight, as simple as that, Dr. said i wasnt at my natural body weight, and that my hair was falling out because of lack of Nutrition, and i was exercising to much. put back on a stone problem solved. Have you changed your diet recently??

Elbi

I am 25 and have the same problem. It started about 3 years ago when I had an operation, I lost alot of blood and was sick for months, While I was sick it actually came away in clumps but i didnt look too bald.
These last few years it has been coming away gradually. Now I look very light oon top, I used to die my hair black but stopped and now just put a semi permanent in every 2 months but i think the lighter my hair colour the balder I look.
I have ordered some Visical I think they are called from the Lifes2good website I heard they work wonders. I shall keep you all posted.

anewme

I cant believe the amount of people posting on this thread and yet there seems to be so little medical specialists to deal.

There seems to be so little known about womens hair loss it is often put down to change of diet, stress, etc because there seems to be no other explanation.

Has anyone been to a specialist? Or knows if there is anyone in Ireland specialising in womens hair loss.

My GP told me there was nothing wrong - I know myself there is, but don't know where to go next.

LegacyUser

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but we have really bad water where I live, and it made me think that you may want to have your water tested. Just a thought.
Also, even though it is important to find the source of the hair loss, as a last resort or to repair the damage done, you may want to check into laser hair regrowth. It's fairly new, but seems to work. I've been looking into it a bit for my boyfriend, who's a bit sensative about his receding hair line. Good luck! I'm sure it can't be easy.
Here's a site I found with a google search that has some info:
http://www.docshop.com/education/dermatology/hair-loss/non-surgical/laser/

LegacyUser

I am a 29 year old female and have been suffering from thin hair for the last 10 years. I went from having a full head of hair to approximately 1/2 of what I used to have over a period of 2 / 3 years.

I went to doctors / specialists and the outcome of it all is that I have Female Pattern Baldness. I had numerous blood tests done, all came back healthy. I was basically told that it was just 'one of those things'.

So i took it upon myself to figure out how to deal with it. I thought, right well I can't cure it, just as a bald man can't cure his hairloss...so what can I do to disguise it??

I have very thick hair around the back of my head but its the top and the temples that are particularly bad. I used to dread standing under a light, because it would show up just how little hair I had. I can tell you, as a woman, seeing your scalp through your hairline, is not something that I'd wish on my worst enemy!

Anyway i got in contact with a support group in America (very little support for this in Ireland I think). After reading about countless other women who were experiencing the same as me, I was able to get their advice on what to do and see pictures of different thigns that other women have tried.

I know wear a hair piece. Its not a full wig...but a 'topper'. It a clipable piece of hair that I clip into my own hair, then brush whatever hair I have myself over it so its completely disguised. Now I'm not going to lie, it took me ages to find the right style and piece that was right for me. At the time I was earning a great wage and had a good bit of money to spend...so i went through about 6 or 7 different pieces before I eventually got one that suited.

The one I wear now is a custom made piece, made from real virgin hair (its called Virgin becuase its been untreated and in the best condiition hair can be in). Its been a god send. I spent so many nights crying about my condition until one day I realised I was the only one who could make it better.

When it realised this, i then regained the power that the hairloss had over me. The group that I am part of in America is brilliant. The woman who runs it, even sent me over 3 pieces for me to try (without even paying first!!) and I was able to keep the one I liked best and then send the others back. She trusted me completely.

The piece I wear now is kind of like the Rolls Royce of Hair Pieces!! LOL but its worth it. Thats not to say that the cheaper pieces I wore throughout the years didn't serve their purpose. Its just a learning curve.

I'm not saying you should jump straightin the deep end and get some supplemental hair (thats what us gals like to call it ) but if your condition worsens, know that there are options out there for you . And you're not alone.

A normal day for me is to get up in the morning, clip in my piece, do my makeup and I'm set for the day. Its just part of my routine now! I couldn't imagine my life without it.

I wish you all the best. xx

ebmma

I had a similar problem, got lots of blood tests done - nothing wrong, except high white cell count that steadily got lower.

Turned out I was depressed, so once it was recognised and I took some steps to work on that everything got better.

I didn't exactly "feel" depressed, but looking back it now, it is pretty obvious.
I was finishing college, incredibly busy with my thesis, stopped going out (as in outside, rather then socialising, though I stopped doing that too).
I was in the middle of all f this so completely unaware. Fortunately got it sorted with lifestyle change and counselling, so didn't need the antid's.

Dunno if something similar is happening to you, but I would seriously consider how much you really hate your job.

best of luck

AckwelFoley

My Fiance (27) suffers from this hairloss problem afaik its from medication she is taking for arthritus. At one point she lost all here hair before she met me. She now has a few spots about the size of a 2 euro pce. She uses the aforementioned Nanogen and i can see the results myself its very good. Its a very stress full thing particularly imo for women, im 31 and as bald as an egg - ive a heavy receeding line so i just go blade one all round, as a man i feel its not as big an issue for us, but i certainly can understand the discomfort for women.

drew dogg

def get tested again but in the mean time maybe try Kerastase shampoo bain prevention is quite good you can get it in peter mark. a lot of young girls are suffering the same problems as youself.i'm a hairdresser an seen it more regulary at the mo. i no some people that are tryint accupunture aswell to help improve it. keep getting your hair cut reg an avoid putting any harsh chemicals on your hair. also massage your head a little more massage helps get the natural oils moving a lttle more which the hair needs to help repair it,
best of luck with it