Estradiol topical and Hair Loss: What Users Say

• Lea...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 13, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been taking Imvexxy 10mg twice a week for about 10 months now. I had dryness on the outside of my personal area, more so than the inside dryness. I'm 64 with a healthy sex life. My husband thought it made me too lubricated and he didn't care for it. After two months, I noticed night sweats and some hair loss along with slight headaches. Mostly the night sweats were my big problem. I adjusted to 1 time a week of the 10mcg for a month, but still had night sweats. Now, I have been totally off Imvexxy for two weeks and noticed the night sweats have lightened up a bit. I am going to continue to stay off for 6 weeks to see if there is a big difference with the night sweats, hoping they disappear completely. I did not have this problem before I was on Imvexxy. The reason I was checking out these reviews was to see if anyone else had these same side effects. Please let me know if you do."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Got prescribed Vagifem about 18 months ago and original hair loss was minimal. Had used this on and off in that time. More hair loss. Ouch. Used or started again a month ago. Experienced major hair loss and now have half as much as I used to. Scalp is visible in lots of areas. Will never use again and can only hope that hair will return."

• Rel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I can't believe how quickly this worked for me. I am using the 10mcg, and I noticed a big difference after one use. I never realized how bad my situation was until I realized I was moist and comfortable down there the morning after the first dose. (Sorry if that is TMI!) I was having terrible burning, itching, painful intercourse, and a feeling that I always had to urinate. I'm 47 and still menstruating, but my gynecologist recommended this drug. I haven't been using it for very long, but so far so good. I read the full insert and read two books (Estrogen Matters and The Estrogen Window) before deciding to take the plunge. I am still worried about the possibility of hair loss. Some users mentioned that side effect. For the record, I also have RA and secondary Sjogren's Syndrome. I take a lot of immunosuppressant drugs. I hate to add to the medication list, but I was absolutely miserable and getting frequent UTIs from the dryness."

• Kim...
• September 16, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After dealing with atrophy following a total hysterectomy, my doc suggested Imvexxy. Let's start with the positives: It DID what it was supposed to do, painful sex vanished after using it only a week and a half and I felt better in the nether regions. Now for the 'not so' positives: I noticed my hair thinning and had a slight headache. In the second week, I noticed a rash on my arms (elbow down) and legs. My family doc treated me with steroids, but it started right back following treatment. I decided to stop Imvexxy on a hunch, and after nearly two weeks, the rash began to fade. When I mentioned this to my gyn, she said you must be allergic to coconut oil... I use coconut oil every day with no issues. The ONLY thing different before all this mess was starting Imvexxy. Bottom line, if anyone did have a rash after this medication and was told 'That's not the cause.' by their doc, you are not alone. I am trying another (non-hormonal) product as it had some good reviews... just to see."

• Sas...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 13, 2020

Estradiol topical for Dyspareunia "I have been taking Imvexxy 10 mg twice a week for 6 months now at night before bedtime. It has not helped at all with painful intercourse and dryness. My dr told me not to expect instant results and to try it for a few months. I had also hoped for at least a small bump in libido, but nothing. I usually get a slight headache the day after using, and there is some external burning as well. My hair feels thinner. I don't like having to insert the capsule manually; it's awkward and I never feel that I've inserted it far enough. Have not had any of it come out, though. I also feel that I may be starting a yeast infection. This is not for me, and I will discontinue after this month."

• Dee...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 1, 2019

Estradiol topical for Dyspareunia "I took Imvexxy for four months. It is an easy pill to pop in with little mess. However, I think the pill should be white because the pink discharge that you get from the pill could be confused with spotting. Anyway, the medicine worked right away for my pain with sex. However, I could not tolerate the pelvic cramping, breast tenderness, and hair shedding. I had to go off of it because I was too uncomfortable with these side effects. I am now on Estrace cream, and so far, no bad side effects, but the only downfall is that it is messy. Ugh. Nothing is ever a perfect fit :)"

• MQB...
• November 14, 2011

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I am a 57-year-old female who started using Estrace for vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and almost immediately noticed falling hair. I asked my doctor who assured me that it would never cause hair loss. After 3 months, my hair was so thin that a rubber band no longer stays put. I quit Estrace almost 2 months ago, and the hair continues to fall."

• Sus...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 26, 2023

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Vagifem for atrophic vaginitis for 8 years. I experienced hair loss, weight gain, breathlessness, painful headaches, and extreme shoulder pain resulting in limited mobility in my arms. I have also developed an abnormal heart rate resulting in atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure. My doctor advised me to stop using it. On stopping, all of the above symptoms disappeared. I think this medication is highly toxic for some women and should be monitored more closely by your doctor."

• gre...
• March 22, 2013

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Doc gave me samples of Estrace cream 2 weeks ago. I use 2x per week for dryness and help restore thinning vaginal lining (prolapse problems). Noticed right away more hair loss the day after I use it. I was told this would not affect me in any way and only work locally in the vagina. I can't afford to lose more hair. I'm going to watch it and try a couple more times and if I notice hair loss continues, I'll stop. I also use an all-natural menopause cream (just started last month) has estrogen and progesterone from all-natural sources. It seemed to be helping hair loss and all-around symptoms. My first time on hormone treatment after my total hysterectomy seven years ago."

• Yam...
• May 11, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I didn't notice much, if any, improvement after 4 months of 10 mcg twice a week, but I stopped it as I noticed a quarter-sized bald spot on the front of my hair that wasn't there before I started taking it. In fact, I have thick hair otherwise, and now there is hair all around this bald spot, but it is smooth in the middle with no hair growth! I don't know if it is from this medication, but it seems to coincide with taking it, and I don't take any other medications. Now I am concerned I won't get hair to grow back there or if more bald spots appear. I am 54, and no family history of balding, both my mom and father, in their late 70s, have a full head of hair with no balding."

• Dee...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 6, 2019

Estradiol topical for Dyspareunia "I have taken Imvexxy for about five months. I took the 4 mcg, and it helped. I probably should have taken the 10 mcg for painful sex. However, I had to stop using it-pelvic cramping, breast tenderness, but the main thing that made me stop was my hair falling out. I am sad because it was an easy fix for a while."

• Tin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 2, 2022

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After using Vagifem pessaries for 2 months, my hair started falling out. I am really concerned I will be left without hair if I continue using this 'medication.' My GP said it's not Vagifem but low iron levels or the menopause. I've always had low iron levels, and it's never affected my hair. To couple this problem, I've also experienced pressure on the front part of my scalp and a burning sensation on my scalp. Has anyone else had this problem, and how was it resolved?"

• Unh...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2021

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "IMVEXXY did not work for me. I'm 6 years post-menopause. Insurance quit covering Premarin cream (which worked great) and switched me to IMVEXXY. I tried the 4 & 10 mcg strengths. Neither took care of the dryness, irritation, or urinary symptoms. It caused a burning irritation that felt like a UTI after each use. I used it at night, and it was messy enough to require a panty liner. I also had some hair loss, which may or may not be related."

• Pic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2017

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "I've had this prescribed by my doctor who knows I have had to use Primolut to control menorrhagia associated with perimenopause at 47 yrs. Dr. knows my gynecologist monitors endometrium thickening as a result of using Primolut as it can cause endometrial cancer. A recent ultrasound revealed normal thickening of the uterus for my age, 57. Some uterine fibroid cysts, though I am post-menopause. Ovaries are normal. My constant bladder infections and incontinence were attributed to atrophy of the vagina. And I was told initially in my 40s to use a cream on the urethra, I never did. But the infections affected my kidneys, and I started to lose my hair, and damage occurred in hair structure. So I'm tempted to use the Vagifem even if it is risky."

• Han...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 11, 2021

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "It works great for increasing lubrication and sensation, but has caused hair loss. I have never dealt with hair loss ever, even under periods of stress. It doesn't run in my family at all. I'm in my 20s and was prescribed this for vaginal dryness. My doctor didn't want to further investigate my symptoms and simply used this as a band-aid. My self-esteem is destroyed. Am hoping for some improvement in my hair ASAP."

• Abb...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 2, 2023

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Just read all these reviews after having used this product for about a year and a half. I was on a strong dose at first, and it made me very crampy, so my doctor reduced the dose to 10 mg, which still seems like a lot compared to the reviews that I’ve been reading. I took it half as often as she suggested. It worked. However, I had the worst smell coming from my armpits, and I’ve never been a smelly armpit person, my hair is thinning, which I realize is a side effect according to the reviews, and I had weird sensations in my breast. So I will be discontinuing the use of this product. Good luck, ladies."

• Uta...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 2, 2023

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "Imvexxy has been effective in treating atrophic vaginitis. However, after having been on it for some time, I have gained nearly 10 pounds, experienced hair thinning, a 'full' abdomen, and thigh cramping, as well as my hot flashes have returned. Interestingly, the trials that were conducted for this medication only covered women for 12 weeks, so could side effects increase with long-term use? My insurance doesn't cover this medication, and I will be stopping it once I complete this month."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 28, 2022

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After taking 4 doses of this product, I had significant hair loss. Called the company to report this side effect. A person who I could hardly understand asked me a ton of questions but could not connect me to someone who could answer my questions as to if and when the hair loss would stop or if it was permanent. Told me to call my doctor. He said none of his other patients had this problem. Still seeking a solution. Not much info online about this issue."

• Pin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 23, 2021

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I have been using the cream's low dose for 6 months. Helps dryness and frequent UTI. Now I'm worried about seeing some hair loss. My hair has thinned for years due to genetics. Sigh, this was helpful for sex pain. Praying it's just genetics and not the medicine's side effect."

• Man...
• October 26, 2020

For Atrophic Vaginitis "Had not read any review before taking the estradiol vaginal cream. It was helpful with the thinning of the vaginal lining. Started to feel dull aches in the vagina. The aching became more frequent. Used the cream for more than 3 months. It disrupted my bowel movements severely, caused a lot of hair loss, had little pimples and other facial problems. Did not realize these were bad side effects until I switched gyn. Was immediately switched to Premarin."

• Mar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 21, 2019

For Atrophic Vaginitis "I used Yuvafem for several months, but since my insurance changed and I’m now on Medicare, this affected my prescription, which was switched to estradiol tablets. Both tablets worked fine, and I experienced no more dryness, burning, or pain, but I like the estradiol tablets a little better because I was having some cramping in my calves with Yuvafem but not so much with estradiol. The other benefit to using this tablet is my skin looks more youthful, with more color and vibrance and fewer wrinkles. My hairdresser even noticed, but the downside is I’m experiencing more hair loss. I was having hair loss before I started vaginal estrogen therapy, but it has increased while I’ve been on these tablets. Either I’m going to have to cut back or stop altogether, which I hate because it has helped with everything else, but I don’t want to go bald either."

• Hon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 27, 2020

Estradiol topical for Atrophic Vaginitis "After using Yuvafem, I began feeling vaginal burning after urinating all the time and noticing hair loss, and feeling like I had a UTI. Very uncomfortable situation."