[Lotus]

Hi Peggy,
Do you have an iron deficiency?

Iron supplements. In some women, iron deficiency could be a cause of hair loss. Your clinician may test your iron level, particularly if you're a vegetarian, have a history of anemia, or have heavy menstrual bleeding. Iron supplements are recommended if a woman's iron level is less than 70 nanograms per milliliter. However, there's no reliable evidence that iron supplementation is helpful for female pattern hair loss.

What kind off hair loss are you experiencing?
[attachment=4999]Patterns of female hair loss

http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletter...-hair-loss
Clinicians use the Ludwig Classification to describe female pattern hair loss. Type I is minimal thinning that can be camouflaged with hair styling techniques. Type II is characterized by decreased volume and noticeable widening of the mid-line part. Type III describes diffuse thinning, with a see-through appearance on the top of the scalp.

One of the more documented uses of saw palmetto for women is the treatment of hirsutism, a condition in which women have excessive hair growth. Many of these women also have high levels of androgens, male sex hormones. The hair growth tends to follow the same patterns on the body as typical male hair growth, such as the upper lip, breasts, and the back. A standardized extract of saw palmetto taken daily may be beneficial for providing anti-androgenic effects and treating the condition. Moreover, taking saw palmetto for hair growth is possibility beneficial for treating thinning hair on the head.

http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-the-ben...-women.htm

Does it work more anti-androgenic than e.g. Spearmint? I need a supplement that will also help with hair loss.

It is possible that sustained daily use of spearmint tea could result in further abatement of hirsutism.In women, hirsutism and male pattern baldness are due to an enhanced effect of androgens on the hair follicle, which in turn can be caused by an increased supply of bio-available androgens and/or an increased sensitivity of the target organ to androgens.

In women, hirsutism and male pattern baldness are due to an enhanced effect of androgens on the hair follicle, which in turn can be caused by an increased supply of bio-available androgens and/or an increased sensitivity of the target organ to androgens. There are no definite correlations between circulating androgens and the degree of their biological effects. Although in most cases the hyperandrogenemia is not severe, the patients should be treated with antiandrogens in order to avoid progression of the disturbance and its consequences on metabolism and fertility. Sometimes hirsutism can be observed as a clinical sign of a defect in the steroid biosynthesis or of Cushing's syndrome. In severe hyperandrogenemia with a testosterone level of more than 2 ng/ml and a DHEA-S level of more than 8000 ng/ml, tumors of the ovaries or the adrenal glands have to be excluded.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/

Saw Palmetto for Women
Saw Palmetto for women is just as beneficial as for men. There are a host of compounds in the fruit of this plant which boost female hormonal health. They include:

Phytosterols: Beta-sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol are the main phytosterols.

Healthy Fatty acids: Lauric acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and myristic acid are the main ones.

Saw Palmetto for women - the most common benefit attributed to Saw Palmetto is the inhibition of an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase. Many women, particularly during and after menopause, suffer a lack of Testosterone. Symptoms are many, including low libido, poor sexual response, muscle weakness, lack of endurance and importantly - loss of zest for life!

5-alpha-reductase converts Testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Excessive DHT production can result in hair loss, low libido, poor sexual response and acne. By inhibiting 5-alpha-reductase, sufficient Testosterone can benefit female as well as male vitality and sexual health.
http://www.peak-health-now.com/saw-palme...women.html
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I was trying to find out about claims of SP causing cellulite but came up with observations more than fact!....sorry for the long drawn out. , I just try to get the whole picture before understanding the benefits, so yes it's beneficial. However I don't use it anymore, I don't have hair loss (knock on wood) so my goal is to aromatize whatever Testosterone I do have left floating around,lol


Closed thread in Admin:
Thanks Lilly, this was very helpful! I re-visited my research and found that saw palmetto blocks the formation of DHT, the more potent form of testosterone, so that was what I was thinking of...I am going to stick with it as it seems to have multiple benefits for me and since I do work out and eat right I think I'll be okay. I also read that it stimulates appetite, and that's the kind of info I was looking for--to say something 'causes' weight gain without saying how (i.e. makes you more lethargic, increases appetite, makes you retain water, etc.) is misleading, because those things can be counteracted. And believe me you, I am already fighting the good fight against cellulite with dry brushing, scrubbing massage with exfoliants, internal cleansing and the like, so yes, I think I'll stay on top of that. Thanks for the encouragement, I am not looking for a miracle, just slightly larger, firmer breasts. And to everyone out there, this is a great forum, I have learned so much already--don't ever forget that women are beautiful in all their varied shapes and sizes and we are harder on ourselves than men will ever be! Don't let pop culture with it's relentless depictions of huge breasts discourage you from loving your body exactly as it is... Much love to all the ladies here!
______________________________________________
Sorry to make your eyes bleed,lol-

read till your eyes bleed.

xx