enjoying my hair

[anotheranon]

Yet another reason to consider shaving my head:

In the past few years my hair has been getting finer, if not thinner, and it's finally getting on my nerves. I certainly never expected to have this problem; part of the reason I cut my hair short in middle school was because it was so wavy and full that it overwhelmed my face!

I think the extreme slicking back/clips/wig cap I used at Costume Con also pulled some hair out, and my scalp is still healing up. (And yeah - I know I probably shouldn't have bleached/dyed in this condition, but with short hair there's only so much I can do, and I got bored :/).

hadesgirl and others have recommended Nioxin, but currently it's just not affordable, so I'm continuing with my "volumizing" shampoo/conditioner/gunge. Results are minimal but better than nothing. It IS summer though, so if one must be a bit patchy, I suppose this is the time :P

Other stuff: Am enjoying the Projekt CD from semmie17 thoroughly - so far my favorite tracks seem to be Lycia, Attrition (I think) and Voltaire (of course!). tommdroid: might want to check out some of the label's other offerings; they have a band on their roster called "Android Lust" that made me think of you ;)

Getting tomorrow off, whoo! Think I'll spend it reading or hanging out with D. This 3 day weekend has landed in my lap; I should really treat it like a weekend instead of yet another day in which to find stuff to do around the house :P

Comments

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

You might consider that it's the Depo-Provera that's causing your hair loss:

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1892.html

Dear Alice,

I have taken three depo-provera shots. My hair started falling out excessively several months ago. In looking for answers I found out that this is a side effect to the shots. I was not informed of that before I took the shots. I saw in one of your Go Ask Alice! answers that depo-provera suppresses the Follicle Stimulating Hormone and the Luteinizing Hormone. What is this hormone? Is this what makes my hair fall out? And do you know if there is anything I can do to stop it? My next shot is due by May 15 but I am not going to get it. Thanks.

The answer:

Dear Reader,

Pharmacia-Upjohn, the manufacturer of Depo-provera, reports that between 1 and 5 percent of women who receive the injections experience hair loss or no hair growth. A 1998 study by Cornell University found that among New York City adolescents, 10 percent experienced hair loss while using Depo.

No one is sure why some women experience hair loss on Depo-provera, although most scientists' best guess is that it is hormonally related. This contraceptive is an injected form of progesterone that interrupts your normal hormone production. Neither the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) nor the Luteinizing Hormone (LH) affect hair growth. Both FSH and LH stimulate the production of estrogen and a mature egg.

A drug's side effects can't always be predicted in each individual case. However, if your hair fall-out is due to Depo-provera, then when you discontinue using it, your hair will grow back. Call your health care provider right away. Tell the receptionist your symptoms related to using Depo. Your provider probably will see you as soon as possible. You have two concerns: one is to get off Depo and stop hair loss. Two is to make sure you are protected from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It may be back to condoms until you decide on another form of birth control for you to use more successfully.

In the future, you can always ask to review with your provider the prescribing information about a drug that you consider or will be taking. This information will explain possible side effects, the rate at which they occur, as well as any reasons an individual should not take the medication. Your provider will probably be pleased that you're taking such a detailed interest in a drug that will ultimately be affecting your body.

and...

http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/bcdepo.htm

Side Effects

70 % of women of use Depo Provera gain weight. Almost half of the women using Depo Provera gain more than 5 pounds after one year of use. Many women gain more than 10 pounds.

Other side effects of Depo Provera can include headaches, nervousness, mood changes, bloating, hot flashes, decreased interest in sex, breast tenderness, acne, hair loss, and back ache.

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

Best of luck in finding an alternative -- I know it's more than birth control for you, but also a helpful way to control mood swings and PMS. I know it's frustrating. ;/

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

The sad thing is that I know at some point I will certainly have to stop using it - even if it's not until menopause :/ I shudder to think what my mood swings will do when (if - doG, hopefully only if) they return :/

As for the hair loss thing, I think I may have stumbled upon a stop gap of sorts: I've been using Nizoral dandruff shampoo as a facial cleanser (the anti fungal prevents breakouts), but a recent study (http://www.hairlosstalk.com/newsletter/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=252) suggests that the active ingredient might stimulate hair growth (or at least prevent further hair loss).

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

Yes, but on menopause the docs put us ALL on premarin (or whatever the stuff is called) so the rest of us girls will be joining *your* club. Yay, for me -- seven years to go!

[nminusone.livejournal.com]

Nizoral is widely used by bodybuilders to prevent hair loss. It does not work for all of them but is generally considered to be, at worst, harmless and worth trying. FWIW.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I'll keep this in mind the next time I go to the doctor. The Depo's not going away unless I come up with something just as fabulous for birth control though - if thinning hair is a hazard, I may just have to live with it :/

[jlsjlsjls.livejournal.com]

"This 3 day weekend has landed in my lap; I should really treat it like a weekend instead of yet another day in which to find stuff to do around the house :P"

Yes, you SHOULD treat it like a weekend. It's the end of the week ... the "dessert" portion of the meal. Something to be savoured and enjoyed and that should, ideally, be slightly bad for you and, preferably, involve chocolate. :-)))))))