Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Idk if this has been asked before ~ but I can't seem to find an answer.

Does HRT affect the way your head hair grows? As in, does it make it thinner? thicker? brittle? stronger? grow faster or slower? Or does it change the volume or pattern?

I ask because i've been looking up info and can't seem to find a direct answer ~ some people tell me "it doesn't affect  your head hair AT ALL" and some say "once you get rid of what T is doing to your hair, you'll see a difference", but no one ever says "maybe" or the usual "YMMV" answer.. its either a total yes or a total no ~ so I'm just curious to find out if HRT has effected your head hair in any way?

This is more a curious question; I'm not necessarily expecting HRT to change my hair growth as I am currently decently satisfied with the way my hair is growing, but I'm just curious if there is any definite evidence to support that HRT may or may not have an effect (YMMV) rather than a blatant "not at all" or "of course it does!" answer.

It surely affects.

Although I do not transition, I have been taking finasteride to prevent hair loss. I am not quite sure whether it helps, but it is commercially used for preventing male hair loss by blocking the 2ndary effects of testrogen. Testrogen can be a major cause of hair loss, depending on person. By decreasing testrogen, some people get benefit regarding hair loss.

barbie~~

Yes, estrogen and the loss of androgen will increase scalp hair growth rate and reduce further scalp hair loss. Androgen, namely DHT (stronger than testosterone), causes scalp hairs to diminish and eventually die, especially in those genetically predisposed and reduces the time during which hair grows (anagen phase) vs estrogen which does the opposite. It should also make your hair softer, and thicker.

From Volume 64, Number 1
OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY
Copyright © 2009
by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Physiological Changes Associated with the Menstrual Cycle
A Review

"The estrogen levels of pregnancy result in an increase in hair density (41), as estrogen acts to prolong the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle so that daily shedding decreases. After delivery, plummeting estrogen levels cause all hairs to enter the telogen phase simultaneously (20), resulting in significant hair loss (8)."

"Androgenetic alopecia (female-pattern alopecia) often follows estrogen decline, characterized by miniaturization of androgen-sensitive hair follicles, it may be helped with antiandrogens or topical estrogen (20) or topical minoxidil (42)."

Also from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyestradiol_phosphate#cite_ref-Arzneistoff-Profile_4-3

"Estradiol inhibits the action of DHT by several mechanisms. Firstly, it acts over the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis feedback loop by blocking secretion of luteinizing hormone, which reduces testosterone synthesis in Leydig cells in the testicle. It blocks testosterone uptake into prostate cells, where it would be metabolized to DHT by the enzyme 5α-reductase. Estradiol also inhibits 5α-reductase directly, blocks binding of DHT to androgen receptors, and exhibits cytotoxicity on prostate cancer cells.[4][7]"

OMG, it's Mia from 'Hit & Miss'!  ;)

Yes, it does. I didn't have male pattern balding, so I can't speak of whether it helps hair grow back. But it has made my hair softer and less brittle. Before it was hard to grow longer because it would break at a certain length. So it will grow longer now. It's just much nicer now.

For those that don't watch H&M...

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8Y5ptm3EuOhr2pacLQA8pKQ67UY-WVF09qnI245wOK7ZMcUW0EA)

Barbie is correct. One of the side effects of testosterone is called dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and other then genetic male pattern baldness it is a major contributor to hair loss as it kills hair follicles on one's head. Once you are on HRT coupled with an anti-androgen a lot of the effects of testosterone are shunted, however DHT can still be quite evident up until you have your gonads removed and for that reason many also use finasteride to neutralize the effects of DHT. Personally I admit to having started my transition at 51 and unfortunately already had some MPB and there's not much one can do for dead hair follicles, however the rest of my hair did get a lot thicker and fuller than it had previously been.

Quote from: Nikko on February 05, 2014, 11:58:42 AM
OMG, it's Mia from 'Hit & Miss'!  ;)

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8Y5ptm3EuOhr2pacLQA8pKQ67UY-WVF09qnI245wOK7ZMcUW0EA)

LOL it took me like 20 minutes to connect the dots when you said this hahaha, thanks for that   :icon_cute:

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I guess the head hair changes are another bonus then lol Good thing I already like my hair  O0

wow! totally!

Quote from: Shantel on February 05, 2014, 12:05:15 PMhowever DHT can still be quite evident up until you have your gonads removed

And even after that (SRS or orchiectomy)

Prog Brain Res. 2010;182:321-41. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(10)82014-X.
Hormonal therapy of prostate cancer.

"Consequently, after castration, the 95-97% fall in serum testosterone does not reflect the 40-50% testosterone (testo) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) made locally in the prostate from DHEA of adrenal origin." So, the same could potentially be valid for scalp tissue. For those especially prone to MPB, taking finasteride even post-op could prove useful.

Quote from: KayXo on February 05, 2014, 01:35:29 PM
And even after that (SRS or orchiectomy)

Prog Brain Res. 2010;182:321-41. doi: 10.1016/S0079-6123(10)82014-X.
Hormonal therapy of prostate cancer.

"Consequently, after castration, the 95-97% fall in serum testosterone does not reflect the 40-50% testosterone (testo) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) made locally in the prostate from DHEA of adrenal origin." So, the same could potentially be valid for scalp tissue. For those especially prone to MPB, taking finasteride even post-op could prove useful.

Yes you are right again although the adrenal isn't terribly active in post-op women unless they are into exercise and sports. I haven't helped my situation much even post-orchie as I use a tiny amount of T cream (.02ml) below where the prostate is situated just to have some kind of libido. Six of one, half a dozen of the other and shoot yourself in the foot!  :D

I want to say my hair is drier than before but I don't really know if that is true since I never bothered measuring it and I wouldn't quite know how to quantify that even if I had thought to. I know things like my nails seem more dry and brittle so it would make sense to me.

Quote from: Hikari on February 05, 2014, 01:51:15 PM
I want to say my hair is drier than before but I don't really know if that is true since I never bothered measuring it and I wouldn't quite know how to quantify that even if I had thought to. I know things like my nails seem more dry and brittle so it would make sense to me.

I find that HRT has an overall drying effect. I have to moisturize my face, arms and legs daily, and though my hair has turned grey and more course on account of my advanced age, I think that it is also dryer and I shampoo twice a week and use conditioners on it daily.

Quote from: Hikari on February 05, 2014, 01:51:15 PM
I want to say my hair is drier than before but I don't really know if that is true since I never bothered measuring it and I wouldn't quite know how to quantify that even if I had thought to. I know things like my nails seem more dry and brittle so it would make sense to me.

You may want to try a fish oil supplement to improve the dryness of your hair. I started using this and there's been a noticeable difference. Whether it's the fish oil, I can't say 100%, could be coincidence, but I'm not stopping to find out.  ;)

I found that when I took less estrogen, post-op that my hair/skin was drier, nails brittle and since taking more, my nails are strong, growing faster, hair growing faster as well and softer, less dry, skin is also softer.

So you may all not be taking enough estrogen. Progesterone apparently also helps some girls too. Especially with softening skin and making nails stronger. Androgen makes skin more oily.

From Volume 64, Number 1
OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SURVEY
Copyright © 2009
by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Physiological Changes Associated with the Menstrual Cycle
A Review

"The age-associated decline in estrogen is accompanied by drier skin as the water-holding capacity is reduced (20)."

"Improvements in water retention are a result of an increase in acid mucopolysaccharides and hyaluronic acid in the dermis (29)."

"Estrogen replacement therapy has been demonstrated to improve skin hydration (4), and decrease the risk of postmenopausal dry skin (20). Elevated endogenous estrogen levels during pregnancy also improve the hydroscopic properties of the dermis (4)."

"most subjects exhibited the driest skin during the menstrual flow, when circulating estrogen levels are at their lowest (2)."

Quote from: Shantel on February 05, 2014, 01:48:08 PM
the adrenal isn't terribly active in post-op women unless they are into exercise and sports.

The problem is not the adrenal gland but more the tissues where conversion of adrenal androgens take place and where there is only a reduction of 50-60% in DHT levels post-op as opposed to a reduction of 95-97% of testosterone in the blood. This number comes from males who were castrated.

Quote from: KayXo on February 05, 2014, 03:53:09 PM
The problem is not the adrenal gland but more the tissues where conversion of adrenal androgens take place and where there is only a reduction of 50-60% in DHT levels post-op as opposed to a reduction of 95-97% of testosterone in the blood. This number comes from males who were castrated.

Huh, so ugly and way you look at it.  >:(

Mine has gotten a lot thicker, really wavy and even messier :3

I am 51 and have villous hair regrowth on 50% of the MPB area. Some (older villous hairs) are getting ticker. The other 50% of area has small fine hairs (pre villous, I hope). My hair is much softer and strong. It will be 1 year since my last hair cut (2/17/2014) and I have gown about 6 inches of hair. 2 more years till I consider a trim.

I use to have a #2 head shave and did not care. Now I wake at night and love the feel of my hair and I care a lot about my hair and look forward to long hair.

I thought the same thing :). I loved that show too bad it's not getting another season.

Quote from: Nikko on February 05, 2014, 11:58:42 AM
OMG, it's Mia from 'Hit & Miss'!  ;)

Yes, it does. I didn't have male pattern balding, so I can't speak of whether it helps hair grow back. But it has made my hair softer and less brittle. Before it was hard to grow longer because it would break at a certain length. So it will grow longer now. It's just much nicer now.

For those that don't watch H&M...

(https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8Y5ptm3EuOhr2pacLQA8pKQ67UY-WVF09qnI245wOK7ZMcUW0EA)

I'm hoping the hair on my head will grow back. I use to have a very thick head of hair just ten years ago.

I'm on estrogen and Finesteraide for 3 months now and it has significantly thickened my hair.

Only one month on oestrogen an progesterone, but I'm getting hair growth in places where sunblock has been necessary for a while.

On the downside I'm also more hairs floating around the bath and around the mirror where I blow dry my hair than before ??? Has anybody else noticed this?

Quote from: Joan on February 10, 2014, 05:35:25 PM
Only one month on oestrogen an progesterone, but I'm getting hair growth in places where sunblock has been necessary for a while.

On the downside I'm also more hairs floating around the bath and around the mirror where I blow dry my hair than before ??? Has anybody else noticed this?

Im getting some regrowth too...to the point where ,,,eeeer I had very little hair loss and it seems that soon I wont have any  ,,,you know , on the forehead XD

Eeeer my bathroom is full of my hair ,,,I dont think its unusual though...
I think it has decreased juuuuust a little after hrt

Quote from: Joan on February 10, 2014, 05:35:25 PM
Only one month on oestrogen an progesterone, but I'm getting hair growth in places where sunblock has been necessary for a while.

On the downside I'm also more hairs floating around the bath and around the mirror where I blow dry my hair than before ??? Has anybody else noticed this?

Uh - Yeah but I'm just older than dirt and it's somewhat expected for me, I think we all experience a certain attrition rate though. Are you taking vitamins? I think we get a bit deficient and am taking women's pure pack three times a week as a supplement.
http://www.pureprescriptions.com/womens-pure-pack-pure-encapsulations/p966?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pure%20Encapsulations%20%28new%29&utm_content=Women's%20Pure%20Pack&utm_term=Women's%20Pure%20Pack (http://www.pureprescriptions.com/womens-pure-pack-pure-encapsulations/p966?utm_source=yahoo&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Pure%20Encapsulations%20%28new%29&utm_content=Women's%20Pure%20Pack&utm_term=Women's%20Pure%20Pack)

As hair gets longer, you will notice more hairs that fall out because they are longer and more obvious. Also, with any change, hormonal, there might be a temporary shedding but rest assured that with HRT, you will not lose hair, on the contrary you will gain and it will become thicker, grow faster long-term. Thanks to reduced androgen and increased estrogen. But, if you don't take enough estrogen to replace androgen, you might get more brittle, thinner hair, in other words, unhealthy.

FP, I don't think male pattern baldness is something you'll ever need to be worried about ;)

Shantel, I hadn't thought about vitamins, although now you mention it I remember reading that somewhere.  I eat a pretty healthy, balanced diet from  all food groups and I've never taken vitamins. Maybe I should look into some supplements.

And thank you for the reassurance, KayXo.  I'm certainly hoping that is going to be the case.  I think my oestrogen dose is kind of 'normal'.  The endo certainly thinks it should be enough to force down the testosterone without using any AAs.  I guess we'll now at the next blood test :)

This is all very good news. I'm concerned about being able to pass. Having a bald spot wouldn't help me with the passing!

I'm also wondering if starting it later in life might have lesser affects as well.