I just started taking Vitex from The Vitamin Shoppe to regulate my hormones and stop my period that has lasted for 2 months now, and since starting it last week I have started losing hair again!! It is all over me and my house and I'm having flashbacks of last November.
I CAN'T go through that again. Anyone here have good or bad results with Vitex and think maybe the hair loss is just temporary shifting of the hormones??
I can't find much info online. Thank you!!! December 18th, , PM 2. Re: Vitex causing hair loss? Go and see a naturopath,if you already have,go back.
December 18th, , PM 3. I was diagnosed with PCOS almost 3 years ago. One thing that I have learned is that just when you think you get your symptoms under control, they go berserk again.
My doctor told me this is probably always going to be case, these peaks and lows of weight, hair loss, lack of hair loss, no period, too long of a period, etc. So it's not really that weird that you're experiencing symptoms again. However I would stop the Vitex if the previous regimen was working before and now it's not with the Vitex.
But just to warn you, since you've only had your diagnosis about 6 months, even with your previous regimen you're probably still going to have periods of time where your hormones are out of wack again. December 18th, , PM 4. Could it be that you are anemic from that? As with any therapy, you should work with your health care provider before starting treatment.
You may use herbs as dried extracts capsules, powders, or teas , glycerites glycerine extracts , or tinctures alcohol extracts. Unless otherwise indicated, you should make teas with 1 tsp. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. These herbs are sometimes suggested to treat hirsutism, but most have not been studied by scientists.
Always talk to your doctor before taking any herb that can affect hormones. DO NOT take these supplements if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or planning to become pregnant. Women who have a history of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer, or other hormone-related conditions, should not take these supplements except under their doctor's supervision.
One small study of women with hirsutism found that acupuncture reduced both hair density and hair length. It also reduced levels of the male hormone testosterone. More research is needed. If you are pregnant, you should not take medications, herbs, or supplements that change hormone levels. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant.
Pregnant women may notice more hair growth during the third trimester, especially on the face, arms and legs, and breasts. This is normal and is not a sign of hirsutism. Treating the underlying cause of hirsutism can improve your symptoms. Long-term medication may slow hair growth, but it usually will not get rid of existing hair on the face and body. Some cosmetic techniques, laser hair removal and waxing, can reduce unwanted hair.
Women who are embarrassed by their condition might consider seeing a trained counselor. Effect of spearmint Mentha spicata Labiatae teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism.
Phytother Res. Fluoxetine versus Vitex agnus castus extract in the treatment of premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Human Psychopharmacol. Hirsutism in women. Am Fam Physician. Domino FJ, ed. Griffith's 5 Minute Clinical Consult. Health-related quality of life, depression and anxiety correlate with the degree of hirsutism.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. Franks S. The investigation and management of hirsutism. Goldman L, Ausiello DA, et al, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; Grant P. Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS and other androgen excess-related conditions: can changes in dietary intake make a difference?
Nutr Clin Pract. Acupuncture effects on reflex responses to mental stress in humans. Oner G, Muderris II. Efficacy of omega-3 in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome. J Obstet Gynaecol. The clinical significance and primary determinants of hirsuitism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Endocrinol. Somani N, Turvy D. Hirsutism: an evidence-based treatment update.
Am J Clin Dermatol. Possible efficacy of Lavender and Tea tree oils in the treatment of young women affected by mild idiopathic hirsuitism. J Endocrinol Invest. Effects of black cohosh Cimicifuga racemosa on bone turnover, vaginal mucosa, and various blood parameters in postmenopausal women: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and conjugated estrogens-controlled study. Chaste tree Vitex agnus-castus -- pharmacology and clinical indications. Molecular targets of dietary polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties.
Yonsei Med J. Patience is required for both the practitioner and the patient. However, fortifying the general health of the patient, including diet therapy, insulin regulation, adrenal health, and hormonal regulation will provide a strong foundation for success.
As Hippocrates famously advised thousands of years ago: Let food be thy medicine. As with any naturopathic treatment, proper nourishment is required to firmly establish health and resolve illness. Treating any type of hair loss, including female pattern hair loss, is no exception.
Proper gut health and food absorption should be established, and the diet should consist of lean, organic protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts and seeds. Refined, simple carbohydrates should be avoided completely to avoid insulin reactivity and adequate protein incorporated into the diet. Ensure that all the nutrients outlined in Table 1 are evaluated and corrected if necessary. A standard protocol of zinc, biotin, manganese and silica supplementation may be helpful in FPHL. Research has shown that high insulin levels have been linked to both female and male pattern hair loss, [xvi] and there have been significant positive associations between female pattern hair loss and metabolic syndrome.
Inositol, which helps to establish healthy cell membranes and plays a role in fat metabolism, has been shown to reduce the symptoms of both insulin resistance and increased androgen levels, [xix] both hallmarks of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Gymnema sylvestre is another naturopathic remedy that can be used to manage insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome; the gymnemic acids in the plant curb the binding of carbohydrates to the receptors in the intestine, thus limiting glucose absorption and reducing the insulin response.
Managing the effects of stress is a necessity in any successful naturopathic treatment, and hair loss is no exception. In fact, stress is directly related to alopecia areata, telogen effluvium and trichotillomania. Stress reduction and management are critical, and the selection of adaptagens must be done carefully, as many adaptagens can actually increase androgens. Adaptagenic herbs that tend to be anti-androgenic include foeniculum vulgare, urtica dioca, ocimum sanctum, and trigonella foenum-graecum.
If androgens are elevated, a protocol to reduce the androgens must be implemented. In addition to using the aforementioned anti-androgenic adaptogens, serenoa repens is an herb with a long history of reducing androgens through its DHT-blocking action.
In addition to evaluating and treating high androgen levels, it is imperative that estrogen and progesterone levels are examined. Estrogen dominance, which is a very common condition, can arise due to environmental estrogens, decreased nutrition, the oral birth control pill, and anovulatory periods. This situation results in elevated levels of estrogen and decreased levels of progesterone.
Androstenedione is an alternative precursor for the production of other adrenal cortical hormones and it conveys some androgenic activity. When progesterone levels are raised by progesterone supplements, the androstenedione level will gradually fall, and normal hair growth will eventually resume.
Since hair growth is a slow process, it may take months for the effects to become apparent. Alternately, bio-identical progesterone cream can be used to successfully increase progesterone levels. Topical solutions should not be overlooked when treating FPHL as the hair follicles are easily accessible with topical medications. Although topical applications may not completely resolve the problem, they can offer an effective solution while long-term, permanent solutions are being implemented.
Essential oils have been anecdotally used to treat alopecia of all kinds for over years. Cedarwood, lavender, thyme, and rosemary oils are purported to have hair growth-promoting properties, and a study conducted in found these oils successful in the treatment of alopecia areata. Using emu oil as a carrier for the above mentioned essential oils may be an excellent therapeutic option for FPHL.
A study published by Dr. Emu oil contains oleic acid, which gives it the ability to penetrate deeply into the scalp. It is also anti-inflammatory and functions as a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor. Mesotherapy is technique that can also be beneficial for FPHL. Shallow injections deliver vitamins, minerals, and botanicals directly to the hair follicles, providing nutrition and anti-androgenic action.
Daily hair washing may also be used to treat FPHL as it can help to eliminate excess sebum from the hair follicle, [xxxv] which can contribute to clogging , congestion and impairment of the hair follicle function. In conclusion, although the naturopathic treatment of FPHL is not always easy, it is imperative that we continue to research and share our experiences with this condition, as there are many women out there that need our help. Female pattern hair loss. J Am Acad Dermatol ; Incidence of female androgenetic alopecia female pattern alopecia.
Dermatol Surg. Hair loss perception and symptoms of depression in female outpatients attending a general dermatology clinic.
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