Sponsored post.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve ever noticed hair lying on your pillowcase, wrapped in the bristles of your hairbrush, or swirled around the shower drain, you know how anxiety-provoking this is. If you think you\u2019re losing too much hair, you\u2019re not alone. I hear this concern frequently in my practice, with patients often asking if stress and cortisol could be the cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n After all, it feels like there has been a surge of stress, division, depression, and anxiety ever since 2020, and with another election around the corner<\/a>, it can be hard to avoid the endless bombardment of everyone else\u2019s opinions.<\/p>\n Cortisol rises in times of stress and is a cause of hair loss; however, it is not the most common cause.<\/em><\/p>\n The most common cause of hair loss in both men and women is a deficiency and\/or imbalance of sex hormones.<\/em> Stress can worsen the imbalance of sex hormones and escalate their decline but doesn\u2019t cause it. My patients are generally happy to hear this because they want to get to the root of the problem as quickly as possible. Correcting sex hormone-induced hair loss is far simpler than eliminating stress!<\/p>\n The levels and balance of 6 sex hormones begins to change as we enter midlife. A decline in hormones begins about ten years before menopause. Our hair suffers when hormones responsible for hair growth decline or when hormones that promote hair loss are elevated. And it\u2019s ultimately the balance between these 6 hormones that determine the quantity and quality of our hair.\u00a0<\/p>\n In other words, hormone balance is critical. As a hormone specialist, I can attest that balancing hormones is a true ART that takes decades to master, but before I share more about these 6 hormones, let\u2019s clarify something extremely important that every woman should understand first.<\/p>\n In 2002, the largest study on women\u2019s hormones, the Women\u2019s Health Initiative, erroneously reported<\/a> that estrogen caused breast cancer. Millions of women ditched their hormones, and physicians rarely prescribed them for the next two decades.\u00a0<\/p>\n After the first decade of re-evaluating the Women\u2019s Health Initiative data, it was revealed that it is not<\/strong> estrogen that increases the risk of breast cancer. Instead, the synthetic Progestins used in prescription hormone replacement are the culprit. In fact, the group of women who were assigned Estrogen only (without Progestins) had the lowest<\/em> rates of breast cancer \u2014 lower than even the control group, who did not use any hormones at all.<\/p>\n Read More: Can Hormone Therapy Protect Your Brain?<\/a><\/p>\n The American Menopause Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists explain Estrogen\u2019s association with breast cancer this way: Estradiol does not cause <\/em>breast cancer; however, if you have breast cancer, Estradiol may make it grow faster. (You will find out why when we talk about Estrogen Receptor sites below.)<\/p>\n This is the same situation with men and prostate cancer. Men with the lowest testosterone levels are at the highest risk of prostate cancer. However, if a man already has prostate cancer, Testosterone may cause it to grow faster.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve come a long way since the Women\u2019s Health Initiative, and I could not be more pleased. It\u2019s felt that over 100,000 women lost their lives to heart disease between 2002 and 2012 because they were scared to continue their hormone supplementation. And there were millions more who lost their once beautiful, thick hair!\u00a0<\/p>\n Bioidentical Estrogen delivered at proper, safe, physiologic doses (balanced with bioidentical Progesterone) is critical for our health in every organ of our bodies, especially our brain, skin, hair, breasts, digestive system, bones, and heart!\u00a0<\/p>\n The 6 sex hormones that affect hair growth are Estrone (E1), Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), Progesterone, Testosterone, and Dihydrotestosterone (DHT).\u00a0 Estradiol (E2), Estriol (E3), and Progesterone promote hair growth, <\/em>while Estrone (E1), Testosterone, and Dihydrotestosterone promote hair loss<\/em>.<\/p>\n We all have three forms of estrogen:\u00a0 E1 or Estrone, E2 or Estradiol, and E3 or Estriol. It\u2019s easy to remember which is which by looking at the spelling of each estrogen. E1 has a \u201cone\u201d in Estrone. E2 has a \u201cdi\u201d in Estradiol, and E3 has a \u201ctri\u201d in Estriol. Let\u2019s start with the strongest estrogen and go from there.<\/p>\n Estradiol is the main estrogen our ovaries make during our reproductive years, starting around age 12 or 13 when we begin our menses and lasting through menopause. The cyclical action of Estradiol (E2) during these years is responsible for our monthly period. It is our strongest estrogen and most responsible for maintaining the health and function of all our organs, particularly our heart, brain, digestive system, and bones. It\u2019s also good for our skin, hair, and vagina but not as effective as another form of Estrogen we\u2019ll talk about shortly, Estriol (E3). \u00a0<\/p>\n Studies have shown that low<\/em> levels of Estradiol (E2) are associated with higher <\/em>rates of breast cancer and higher risks of heart disease, bone loss, diabetes, and memory loss. After menopause, we don\u2019t make Estradiol anymore from our ovaries, but we do still have some Estradiol from our body\u2019s conversion of Estrone (E1) \u2014 just in very low amounts.\u00a0<\/p>\n Estrone is the main estrogen we make after menopause. But instead of making it in our ovaries, we make it in our fat cells. At one time, it was thought to be stronger than Estradiol (E2) but is now known to be less strong. Initially, it was felt to be stronger because it is more closely associated with breast cancer. Now we know it\u2019s more about the receptor sites<\/em> Estrone binds to instead of its strength that implicates it more closely to breast cancer.<\/p>\n When it comes to our hair, Estrone (E1) is again the estrogen we don\u2019t want. Estrone (E1) shortens<\/em> the growth phase of our hair, pushing it faster into the shedding phase. We want as little Estrone as we can have!<\/p>\n Estriol is the jewel of estrogens. It is also called the \u201cHormone of Pregnancy\u201d because our bodies make very high amounts of Estriol (E3) during pregnancy. Estriol is associated with lower<\/em> rates of breast cancer, reduced heart disease, improved bone mass, and is the most effective of all the estrogens for keeping our vaginas moist and safe from vaginal atrophy.<\/p>\n When it comes to our hair, Estriol (E3) is the strongest estrogen promoter <\/em>of hair growth<\/em>. It does so by directly increasing the growth phase of hair. And since Estriol is very high during pregnancy, our hair grows more quickly during this time. The unfortunate part about our longer, more luscious hair of pregnancy is that Estriol plummets after childbirth resulting in significant hair loss \u2014 taking up to a year for our hair to recover.<\/p>\n You may wonder how the three estrogens can be so different. The answer is in where each of these estrogens bind<\/em> to activate their effects inside our cells. These binding sites are called estrogen receptors. There are 2 estrogen receptor sites: Alpha and Beta. It turns out that these receptor sites are the controlling factors in how the different estrogens act inside our cells.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Alpha receptor site<\/strong> is associated with hair loss and higher breast cancer rates. Estrone (E1), the estrogen we want little of, binds mostly to the estrogen receptor site Alpha.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The Beta receptor site<\/strong> is associated with hair growth and lower rates of breast cancer. Estriol (E3), the estrogen we want more of, binds mostly to estrogen receptor site Beta. <\/em>Interestingly, isoflavones that are also known to decrease breast cancer rates also bind to estrogen beta sites, just like Estriol (E3).<\/p>\n What about Estradiol (E2)? Interestingly, Estradiol binds equally to both estrogen receptor sites Alpha and Beta, acting as a balancer with its very important best friend \u2014 Progesterone.<\/p>\n Progesterone<\/strong> is critical in balancing estrogen\u2019s \u201cgrowth\u201d effects. Without progesterone, the growth effects of estrogen would go unchecked. Unfortunately, progesterone is the first hormone that declines rapidly 10 to 15 years before menopause. This early decline is the cause of estrogen dominance, and most women are unaware that this is occurring. The most common symptoms of estrogen dominance include sleep disturbances, anxiety, breast tenderness, and headaches.<\/p>\n Progesterone also plays a critical and direct role in the prevention<\/em> of hair loss. To clearly understand how progesterone prevents hair loss, we need to first look at the \u201chormone cascade\u201d and discover which sex hormone is the major cause of hair loss. So, let\u2019s first investigate this and then come back to the beauty of progesterone.<\/p>\n The Hormone Cascade diagram is shown above and demonstrates how our sex hormones are made. All Sex hormones come from cholesterol. Pregnenolone is the first hormone that is made from cholesterol, and from there, it makes either progesterone or, eventually, DHEA. Most progesterone goes on to make cortisol. And DHEA eventually converts to either testosterone or estrone (E1).\u00a0<\/p>\n Following the hormone cascade further, you can see that Estrone (E1) converts to the other forms of estrogen \u2014 Estradiol (E2) or Estriol (E3), and DHEA converts to testosterone. Further still, testosterone converts to either Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or Estradiol (E2).\u00a0<\/p>\n How do these conversions take place?\u00a0<\/p>\n Sex Hormones convert from one hormone to the next by specific enzymes<\/em>. The hormone cascade diagram shows the names of the enzymes responsible for each hormone conversion in blue. <\/em>The two major enzymes to be most familiar with are aromatase<\/em> and 5-alpha reductase<\/em>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Aromatase<\/u> is a very important enzyme responsible for converting testosterone to Estradiol (E2).\u00a0<\/p>\n 5-alpha reductase<\/u> is equally important to aromatase because it plays the largest role of all the enzymes in hair loss. It is responsible for converting the androgen testosterone to an even stronger androgen named Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). And it is Dihydrotestosterone which is the real sex hormone culprit in causing both male and female pattern baldness.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n Genetics play a role in how active one enzyme is over another. And in that sense, we have no control. However, we can slow down the action of these enzymes and balance the conversion of testosterone to either Estradiol (E2) or Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). And this we do have control over.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n By blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, testosterone will have higher conversion rates to Estradiol (E2). By blocking the enzyme aromatase, testosterone will have a higher conversion to Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The skill comes with careful blockage of both enzymes, at just the right amount, to keep our androgens (testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone) optimized and balanced with estrogens.<\/p>\n Now that you know Dihydrotestosterone, and not testosterone, is the sex hormone that causes hair loss, you may wonder if you\u2019re better off without testosterone at all.<\/p>\n Testosterone<\/strong> is a vital hormone we need for energy, confidence, muscle and bone growth, libido, and immune system function. It is also essential for maintaining moisture in our eyes and vagina. So yes, testosterone is a very important hormone for us ladies! Many research studies have shown supplementation with testosterone after menopause to be quite beneficial in our quality of life when also well balanced with our estrogens and progesterone.\u00a0<\/p>\n But balance is the key word here. Even women who do not supplement with testosterone often have an imbalance between their androgen hormones (testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone) and hair-promoting estrogen hormones \u2013 Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3) \u2014 predisposing us yet again to hair loss.<\/p>\n One would think that once our ovaries stop making all the sex hormones \u2014 estrogens and testosterone \u2014 we would stop losing hair. Unfortunately, that is not the way it happens.<\/p>\n First, recall that our fat cells make Estrone (E1) after menopause and that Estrone (E1) binds to the alpha estrogen receptor sites, which are associated with hair loss. <\/em>Next, after our ovaries stop making testosterone, our adrenal glands start making it, without being kind enough to also make our hair growth sex hormones Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3).\u00a0<\/p>\n This is yet another cause of imbalance between our hair growth<\/em> sex hormones, Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3), with our hair loss<\/em> sex hormone, Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), by its conversion from testosterone. In other words, once our ovaries slow and then eventually stop producing sex hormones, testosterone levels may decline somewhat, but never as much as Estradiol (E2) and Estriol (E3).\u00a0<\/p>\n Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)<\/strong> is the single sex hormone responsible for male and female pattern baldness. The only way to have Dihydrotestosterone is for it to come from testosterone. But we need testosterone, so lowering testosterone levels is not the answer. So, what can we do?<\/p>\n One method that partially helps reduce hair loss is to supplement with natural 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. These supplements are sold to reduce the size of the prostate because Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is also the cause of prostate enlargement in men.\u00a0My favorite product is manufactured by the brand NOW called Prostate Health. I recommend this product to both men and women to reduce hair loss and reduce prostate growth in men.<\/p>\n Inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase is a partial solution to hair loss; however, it doesn\u2019t address the root cause of hormone imbalances that are taking place as we all move through the seasons of our life. With our newly understood knowledge of the benefits of safe, balanced, youthful hormones, most women should be thinking about hormone replacement.<\/p>\n Recall that progesterone is an important balancing hormone to our estrogen and is the first sex hormone to decline long before menopause. Progesterone is also<\/em> a natural 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. This is how progesterone is a natural hair growth hormone \u2014 by reducing the rate of testosterone conversion to Dihydrotestosterone.\u00a0 So not only is progesterone critical to maintaining balance with estrogen and preventing estrogen dominance, but it also helps prevent hair loss by inhibiting the 5-alpha reductase enzyme.\u00a0<\/p>\n Preferably every woman would have this knowledge early and be prepared for progesterone replacement 10 to 15 years before menopause, preventing estrogen dominance. However, even if this opportunity is missed, it\u2019s not too late.<\/p>\n The absolute most important action we can take to keep our hair growing instead of falling out is to keep our sex hormones safely balanced and optimized at natural, youthful levels. Not too much, and not too little. This addresses hair loss at its root cause while also benefiting every organ in our body, including our breasts. You can\u2019t ask for a better solution.<\/p>\n Bioidentical hormones are identical to the hormones your body makes and can be prescribed by a physician or purchased over the counter. I have been prescribing bioidentical hormones for over twenty years to my patients. However, in 2015, as patients brought their over-the-counter creams to me for approval, I became concerned about the lack of balance and quality of what is available over the counter.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition, I am appalled at the lack of education for women so that they can take control of their own health. In 2016, I created the most luxurious line of bioidentical hormone creams<\/a>, properly balanced at the ratios and amounts that I had been prescribing since 2000 to help women of all ages during midlife and beyond.<\/p>\n You can find our creams here<\/a>. <\/strong>This link will also help guide you in determining which hormone cream is best for you and help you connect personally with me and my team at the Women\u2019s Midlife Specialist.<\/p>\n Additionally, please enjoy this free booklet, \u201cDo You Think You Might Be Losing Too Much Hair?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n About the Author:<\/strong><\/p>\n Dr. Karen Leggett (D.O.) is a double board-certified physician, with fellowship training in both Geriatrics and Regenerative Medicine. She is the Founder and CEO of Women\u2019s Midlife Specialist, Inc., Personal Wellness Medicine, LLC, and Leggett Medical Group, Inc. Dr. Karen is also the creator of the Happy Hoo Hoo for vaginal health, and of Young Hormones\u00ae, a luxurious line of natural Bioidentical Hormone creams available over the counter.<\/p>\n Dr. Karen is a best-selling author with Brian Tracy in Success Manifesto with Get Energized, Focused, and Downright Sexy Now. She has been a speaker on Hormone Health, Balance, and Optimization to women and medical providers over the past 20 years and has helped thousands of women sail through menopause, reverse aging, and live the life they imagined for themselves as younger women.<\/p>\n You can connect with Dr. Karen at\u00a0[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/a>. You can also sign up for her free newsletter and discover more about Hormone Health at\u00a0www.womensmidlifespecialist.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n References:<\/strong><\/p>\n (1)Franziska Conrad, Ralf Paus. Estrogens and the hair follicle. Journal of the German Society of Dermatology.\u00a0 May 26, 2004Elise A. Olsen, Female<\/em><\/p>\n (2) Pattern Hair Loss, Hair Growth and Disorders, 10.1007\/978-3-540-46911-7, (171-186), (2008).<\/em><\/p>\n (3) Changmei C, Xiang G, Xiaoxu Y, Xianhui S, Quian D, Qiushi L, Rui X. The roles of estrogen and estrogen receptors in gastrointestinal disease. Oncology Letters 18: 5673-5680, 2019<\/em><\/p>\n (4) Maksim Plikus, Elyse Van Spyk, Kim Pham, Mikhail Geyfman, Vivek Kumar, Joseph Takahashi, Bogi Anderson. The circadian clock in skin: implications for adult stem cells, tissue regeneration, cancer, aging, and immunity. J Biol Rhythms. 2015 Jun; 30(3): 1630182<\/em><\/p>\nThe Most Common Cause of Hair Loss<\/h2>\n
![\"Hairbrush](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Hair-in-brush.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nEstrogen Does Not CAUSE Breast Cancer<\/h2>\n
What\u2019s really going on.<\/h3>\n
6 Sex Hormones that Affect Your Hair<\/h2>\n
![\"Types](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Types-of-estrogen.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n1. E2 or Estradiol<\/h3>\n
2. E1 or Estrone<\/h3>\n
3. E3 or Estriol<\/h3>\n
Estrogen Receptor Sites are the Decision Makers<\/h2>\n
4. Progesterone \u2014 Estrogen\u2019s Best Friend<\/h2>\n
![\"Progesterone](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Progesterone.jpg\")
<\/figure>\nHormone Cascade: Where Sex Hormones Come From<\/h2>\n
![\"Hormone](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Hormone-cascade-Leggett-hair-loss-article-1.png\")
<\/figure>\nEnzymes: How Sex Hormones are Converted from One Form to Another<\/h2>\n
What about genetics?<\/h3>\n
5. Testosterone: Friend or Foe?<\/h2>\n
![\"Testosterone](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Testerone.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n6. Fighting the Ravages of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)<\/h2>\n
Back to Progesterone\u2019s Beauty<\/h2>\n
Balancing ALL our Sex Hormones for Hair Growth (and more)!<\/h3>\n
![\"Leggett](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Leggett-creams-product-image.png?_t=1651769942\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nCongratulations on your new knowledge about sex hormones!\u00a0<\/h3>\n
![\"losing](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/losing-hair-image-leggett-sp.png?_t=1651769890\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"Karen](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/thumbnail_Karen-Leggett-Happy-Hoo-Hoo-1.jpg.webp\")
<\/figure>\n<\/picture>\n![\"6-Sex-Hormones-that-Affect-Your-Hair-Loss-&-Growth\"](\"https:\/\/primewomen.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/6-Sex-Hormones-that-Affect-Your-Hair-Loss-Growth.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n