HairSite for Women: Women's hair loss & hair care forum HairSite
Topic F350: Aldactone or Spironolactone for female women hair loss

[ Women's Forum | Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]

Hi Sophea. I'll try to help.

From: Beta to Sophea
Date: 1/23/2004
Time: 9:56:22 AM
Remote Name: 64.162.10.247

Comments

I take 100 mg. of Spiro a day, but NO, I do not have elevated androgens. I have androgen sensitive follicles because of hereditary factors. I tried to read a few of your past posts on another one of the forums. I'm concerned that some of the advice your being given is not all exactly accurate. There is a potential that you have AGA and you need to take this seriously. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to reverse the condition. The combination of AGA plus the elevated androgens that you have is a recipe for disaster.

Sophea, please find a good doctor. I was so saddened that you were treated the way you were. No doctor should ever treat anyone like that. Have they attempted to find out why your androgen levels are up? If there is a treatable condition, then this should be addressed first. However, if you do have AGA, lowering the androgens will not resolve it completely. The oily and smelly scalp is not a side effect of Spiro, but is a sign of androgen activity. If you do have AGA the amount of Spiro you are taking will not do anything. You need 200 mg. for your androgen problem. It may not even be enough. I take a non-androgenic BCP along with my Spiro. It is very effective, but you must be patient. It could take as much as 6 months to a year to see results. Diane 35 would be an excellent BCP for you and you would not need the Spiro with that. Or you could take another good non-androgenic pill with the Spiro. Make sure the estrogen content is at least 35.

Your iron level could certainly be a factor, but PLEASE do not overlook the potential for AGA. You could be doing some irreversible damage. No one ever wants to face an AGA diagnosis. There are women in denial about it all over these forums. I'm not saying that every problem is AGA, but from what you have described, your's is a strong possibility.

I have not experienced any significant side effects from the meds since adjusting to them. The Spiro is actually quite mild. If you do have AGA, you must decide whether your condition is causing you enough suffering to make the meds worthwhile. For you, maybe the side effects that your body is producing on it's own are more acceptable to you than taking the meds. For me, that was definitely not the case. I made the right decision for myself, and my quality of life is much better. You must do the same. Please take care of yourself.

Beta

Last changed: April 18, 2007

HairSite For Women is an integral part of HairSite.com 
All Rights Reserved 1997 - 2004  HairSite@aol.com