I took a depo provera shot a little over 2 years ago and 3 months after I was due for the second shot (I didn't take it), the hairloss started. 300+ a day for almost a year, then 100 a day, now for the last 6 months I'm at around 50-100 a day (30-40 in the shower and another 20-30 with the combout). I'm down to about 1/3 of the hair I used to have and have to be careful where I part my hair. I'm still hoping it will eventually shed at a normal rate and no longer have hopes that my hair will ever be what it was--but would just like to look normal. I have anxious periods regarding it. I also have a sore scalp and it looks reddened at times. Any one else w/this experience? I've seen 2 dermatologist who just saw Telogen Effluvium and ride it out--and no stress for like a year--not possible! Any one else? Monika
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Anyone with similar experience ? Pls advice
- Thread starter hpschaaf
- Start date
I totally understand
I just ran across your post today and want you to know that I have experienced the very same thing, only, I'm afraid that I don't have very good news to report. Seven years ago, at age 36,I was diagnosed with having completed early menopause. I had extremely thick, beautiful hair at the time (I met Hillary Clinton in 1993 and she actually told me that I had the most "perfect hair" that she had ever seen). Anyway, since I no longer was having periods, my gyn insisted that I take progesterone to cause a monthly period in order to avoid the risk of uterine cancer. After the first month, I noticed tons of hair falling out and by the 3rd month, I was literally losing 400-800 hairs per day, depending on whether or not I washed my hair that day...Over a 5 month period of time, I literally collected 4 FULL gallon-sized ziplock bags of hair. Two different derms said that the only time they had seen such a profound loss was with patients on chemotherapy. The initial episode finally tapered off after 8 long months. Needless to say, I refused to take progesterone after that disaster. A year later, my gyn insisted that I try progesterone again as my PAP test came back with uterine hyperplasia. I tried it again and the SAME EXACT THING happened. Since then, I have had a hysterectomy and take estrogen only. I have had 3 other extreme episodes that finally culminated in severe depression. I now take Wellbutrin since May 2005 and my hair is brittle. kinky, and falling out at a record pace. The docs really don't know what to do with me. Everyone agrees that the acute and profound hair loss episodes I have are beyond Telegen effluvium, but don't have any other rational explanation. I blame it all on the initial progesterone and feel that it started some kind of autoimmune process that can't be stopped. Please proceed carefully when taking progestereone.
I just ran across your post today and want you to know that I have experienced the very same thing, only, I'm afraid that I don't have very good news to report. Seven years ago, at age 36,I was diagnosed with having completed early menopause. I had extremely thick, beautiful hair at the time (I met Hillary Clinton in 1993 and she actually told me that I had the most "perfect hair" that she had ever seen). Anyway, since I no longer was having periods, my gyn insisted that I take progesterone to cause a monthly period in order to avoid the risk of uterine cancer. After the first month, I noticed tons of hair falling out and by the 3rd month, I was literally losing 400-800 hairs per day, depending on whether or not I washed my hair that day...Over a 5 month period of time, I literally collected 4 FULL gallon-sized ziplock bags of hair. Two different derms said that the only time they had seen such a profound loss was with patients on chemotherapy. The initial episode finally tapered off after 8 long months. Needless to say, I refused to take progesterone after that disaster. A year later, my gyn insisted that I try progesterone again as my PAP test came back with uterine hyperplasia. I tried it again and the SAME EXACT THING happened. Since then, I have had a hysterectomy and take estrogen only. I have had 3 other extreme episodes that finally culminated in severe depression. I now take Wellbutrin since May 2005 and my hair is brittle. kinky, and falling out at a record pace. The docs really don't know what to do with me. Everyone agrees that the acute and profound hair loss episodes I have are beyond Telegen effluvium, but don't have any other rational explanation. I blame it all on the initial progesterone and feel that it started some kind of autoimmune process that can't be stopped. Please proceed carefully when taking progestereone.