Headwear Etc Blog

Does Estrogen Affect Hair Loss?
The role of estrogen in hair growth in humans is not clear. However both oral and topical estrogens are prescribed by physicians to treat hair loss in women — although there are no controlled studies to support this use of estrogen.

Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is an immune disease that affects almost 2% of the population in the US. This type of hair loss appears in various degrees of severity from small, round patches of hair loss that regrow without medical treatment to chronic, extensive hair loss that can involve the loss of all hair on the scalp or body hair. This type of hair loss affects both genders equally and can occur at any age, although it occurs most often in children and young adults.

Treatment of this type of hair loss includes immunomodulating therapies such as glucocorticoids, topical immunotherapy, or anthralin, or biologic-responce modifiers such as Minoxidil. The choice of treatment depends on the patient’s age, as well as the extent of hair loss. Milder cases often see a greater improvement with treatment than severe cases. In no case does treatment restore full hair in patients with 100% scalp or body hair loss.
Androgenetic Alopecia
Myths Vs. Facts
Myth: Hair loss is inherited from your father Fact: Both parent’s genes are a factor. Androgenetic aplopecia is genetically-linked hair thinning.
Myth: Female pattern hair loss causes abnormal bleeding. Fact: Menstruation is not affected. Hair loss typically begins between the ages of 12 and 40.
Myth: Extensive hormonal evaluation is required. Fact: Hormonal evaluation is only required if the patient is also experiencing irregular periods, infertility, hirsutism, cystic acne, virilization, or glactorrhea. Androgenetic aplopecia usually doesn’t cause menstrual issues or interfere with pregnancy or endocrine function.
Myth: Teasing, using hair color, other products, or frequently washing hair increases hair loss. Fact: Normal hair care doesn’t affect hair loss.
VISIT: http://www.headwearetc.com
“We help women with hair loss look and feel confident…with style, fit, and comfort.”

Vagifem is a tablet that sticks to the vaginal wall. It works by releasing a low dose of estradiol into the vagina. Most of this estrogen goes into the vaginal wall, but a small amount does also get into the blood stream. However, the amount that enters into the blood stream is far less than what would be present in a woman taking oral estrogen tablets. And because it is such a low dose, women who use Vagifem do not need to take a progestin or use progesterone cream. In contrast, women who take oral estrogens must also take a progestin, unless they have had a hysterectomy.

No one has conducted a long-term study of Vagifem. All of the studies that have been evaluated this drug’s benefits and risks have followed women for 12 months, or less. However, most doctors believe that small doses of vaginal estrogens, like Vagifem, seem to be the safest way to treat vaginal atrophy. Furthermore, a recent position paper from the North American Menopause Society concluded that women could stay on a vaginal estrogen as long as necessary to treat vaginal atrophy or other problems, as long as other symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding, spotting, and breast pain did not occur.

Many women find that once the vagina is “plumped up” they can use a low dose of Vagifem intermittently. Some have found that using Replens, a vaginal moisturizer that can be purchased over the counter, can decrease their need to use Vagifem. Others have found that once the Vagifem improves the vagina, using lubricants, like KY Jelly or Astroglide when having sex, helps address their problems. (Sex, in and of itself, is good for the vagina because it helps keep the muscles in shape.)

We currently have no data on the use of Vagifem in women who have had breast cancer. But because of the very low systemic absorption and because vaginal dryness and painful intercourse can be a real quality-of-life issue, oncologists have become more comfortable having women who have had breast cancer use either Vagifem or the Estring to relieve vaginal dryness.

Women who have a history of endometriosis are advised to be cautious about their use of Vagifem. It’s typically suggested that women who have endometriosis use Vagifem for only a few weeks or months (if at all). Then, they should try to sustain the plumpness with other non-hormonal moisturizers, like Replens.
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Symptoms of Osteoporosis
Often called the “silent” disease, osteoporosis goes unnoticed until bone fractures occur in the hip or in the spine resulting in back pains. Also, spinal deformation can lead to stoop postures or height loss. Several risk factors contributing to osteoporosis include:
- family history of osteoporosis
- low bone mass
- occurence of fractures after 50 years of age
- thin framed bone structure
- in women, estrogen deficiency after menopause, lack of menstrual periods
- in men, low testosterone levels
- deficiency in vitamin D and calcium
- inactivity, smoking and excessive alcohol comsumption
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