A Hair Question - Ladies??

[Stephanie]

Alright, this is NOT something women like to discuss or even think about, but have any of the over 40 crew noticed their hair thinning??

The last two months I've noticed more hair than normal in the sink after I wash it in the morning. I've also noticed that I can see my "part" more. I'm wondering if this is something that women of my age go through or if it had to do with the stress of working the casino strike. I have different stress related illnesses like IBS and now I've been diagnosed with GERD (yippee! ). I did start using Rogaine for women because I wasn't going to take this lying down!

Any advice, experience, etc. would be helpful. Thanks!

[streetsoldier]

As long as your "do" doesn't get sliced off in your ceiling fan, anything ya want goes.

[Stephanie]

As long as your "do" doesn't get sliced off in your ceiling fan, anything ya want goes.

I needed that Bill! LOL!

[Windsong]

I lost gobs of hair and found out that my thyroid stopped working. I have taken daily medication for that for about 25 years now and the problem stopped after about a month. Have you had your thyroid tested? Other symptoms are weight gain and excessive tiredness. If you have these as well, get a blood test and see if that could be the cause. Good luck!

[coriolis]

Balding gracefully over here.

[CajunMama]

Windsong....I experienced the same thing with my hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) but it also caused very dry skin. I've only been on synthroid for about 2 1/2 years now but WOW what a difference that medicine makes. I feel so human again!

Stephanie, it might not be a bad idea to get your thyroid checked.

[TazzyD]

Stephanie,

It seems to run in my family with the maternal side of my family. My maternal grandmother's hair starting thinning in her twenties and she was wearing a wig by the time she was in her forties. My mom suffered the same problem and did buy a couple wigs but decided it was healthier on her scalp to not wear them, though she did end up using them and a couple of turbans before she died of ovarian cancer because of the chemo. I had pretty thick hair growing up but it starting thinning when I was in my late twenties. I have very thin hair right in the front center of my head, right above the brow. I hesitated on posting this since I was afraid people who read this would envision me with something like a crop circle on my head. It's really not THAT bad, but it does bother me though I'm learning to live with it without Rogaine. I have dark blond hair so my hairdresser highlights my hair a couple shades lighter in strategic areas and thoughout my hair. The lighter streaking really does help "blend" that sparser area better (the darker the hair the more contrast with the scalp and therefore the more visible the thinning appears) and I also part my hair slightly off center. That is working quite well for me right now. I thought about using Rogaine but didn't really like the thought of having to use it every day for the rest of my life.

Now my sister had a nice thick head of hair (so did my Dad). Unfortunately, chemo made her lose her hair though it's starting to grow back a bit right now.

You might want to get some medical testing done. I'm in the process as besides ovarian cancer both my mother and sister have had thyroid problems (mom had both thyroid and ovarian cancer). Thyroid problems can cause hair loss, which I believe was already mentioned). But it can also be a hereditary thing.

[weathermom]

Mercury exposure can cause thinning hair also. Too much of certain fish can cause this, fish like tuna and swordfish. I am sure you could find a more complete list online somewhere if you thought it might relate to your situation.

[HurricaneGirl]

I have suffered hair loss because of anti-depressants. I have started using Nioxin Shampoo and Conditioner and am taking Shen Min for women. That is a follicle stimulating vitamin that promotes hair growth. They cost $34.99 at GNC but I order them at The Vitamin Store for about $10.00 to $15.00 less, depending if they're on sale that month.

I am now taking Prozac weekly which is 90 mg sustained release and my hair loss is under control with the lower dosage.

[Stephanie]

Thanks guys!!!

I've been taking Prozac for years so I don't think it was that. I haven't lost weight, though I haven't really gained any either. My significant other, Marty, uses the Rogaine and Nioxin shampoo. It's helped to stop the loss, though it is still thin.

My grandmother on my father's side always wore a wig when I was growing up. I would see her on occassion though without it and she did have hair, though it was thin. My youngest brother, Daren, had hair just like mine, dark, curly and full and started to lose it at 20. It's now almost all gone - kind of looks like Bruce Willis.

Weathermom - I'm not a big fish eater, but thanks for the heads up.

I forgot about the thyroid. I've just been to my doctors so much this year for various stomach issues this year that I think he's going to think I'm a hypocondriac! I'll give him a call though.

Thanks again! (((HUGS)))

[chadtm80]

24 here and already going Grey.. Some from Jenn, Some from Dustin, some from storm2k

[PurdueWx80]

24 here and already going Grey..

Same here Chad, except mine is on the back and sides, so I can't see it. People gladly like to point it out though.

[Stephanie]

24 here and already going Grey.. Some from Jenn, Some from Dustin, some from storm2k

The gray hairs is another topic for me...

I think that gray hairs make a man look distinquished!

[sunny]

24 here and already going Grey.. Some from Jenn, Some from Dustin, some from storm2k

The gray hairs is another topic for me...

I think that gray hairs make a man look distinquished!

I with you there, Stephanie!

[PurdueWx80]

But when you're 24????!

[sunny]

But when you're 24????!

lol - why not?! it's all in the eye of the beholder

[chadtm80]

But when you're 24????!

lol Exatly.. My Dad has a head full of Grey hair.. And when my Grandfather passed away he had a full head of grey hair too.. So Losing my hair shouldnt be the problem..

Purdue.. Mine is on top and right up front.. lol I dont think I will ever be one to dye my hair though

[Stephanie]

But when you're 24????!

lol - why not?! it's all in the eye of the beholder

DITTO!!

[PurdueWx80]

Hey, I'm just glad I still have hair. Since your hair tends to follow that of your mother's side of the family, I'll be lucky to have any in another 5-10 years. I have considered Rogaine and some other treatments, but I sort of like the widow's peak look.

My dad is going gray pretty quickly but his mom has almost totally brunette still - it makes her look much younger than she actually is.

Anyway, I think I'll let the ladies have their thread back now.

[Miss Mary]

I've got the gray hair thing all figured out now. Or at least understand what the different hair color levels mean. That took me about a year and several 1-800 calls to Clairol but now I'm proud to say I color my hair every 4 weeks, for under $10. That's a steal compared to what I was paying to have it professionally colored - highway robbery!

Mary