Hair Loss & Personalised Treatment – Your Questions Answered

Written in collaboration with Dr Samila Asad MBBS MRCGP PGDip Clin Derm AAAMGP & Women’s Wellness Specialist | Where Mindset Meets Medicine

Experiencing hair loss during menopause? You’re not alone. This comprehensive guide answers your questions about hormonal hair thinning and evidence-based personalised treatments available at our Milton Keynes clinic.

Why Does Hair Loss Happen, Especially Around Menopause?

Hair loss (alopecia) can be emotionally devastating, particularly for women in their 40s and 50s navigating perimenopause and menopause.

Hormonal Changes During Menopause

During perimenopause and menopause, declining oestrogen levels shorten the growth (anagen) phase of the hair cycle. Meanwhile, androgens become relatively stronger, causing hair follicles to shrink and hairs to grow back finer and thinner.

Other Contributing Factors

Menopausal hair loss rarely has a single cause. Other factors include:

• Thyroid imbalance
• Insulin resistance
• Chronic stress
• Nutrient deficiencies (iron, vitamin D, B vitamins)
• Genetic predisposition

Pattern Differences: Women vs Men

Female pattern hair loss typically presents as diffuse thinning on the crown with preservation of the frontal hairline, while men often experience receding temples and vertex loss due to DHT (dihydrotestosterone) sensitivity.

What Are the Main Types of Hair Loss?

Understanding your hair loss type is crucial for effective treatment:

• Androgenetic alopecia (male & female pattern thinning) – hormonally and genetically driven
• Telogen effluvium – diffuse shedding after stress, illness, weight loss or hormonal change
• Alopecia areata – autoimmune patchy loss
• Scarring alopecia – inflammation that can permanently damage follicles

Most midlife women experience a combination of hormonal thinning and reactive shedding — which is why personalised assessment is essential.

How Do Hormones Interact with Hair Loss Treatment?

Holistic Hormone Assessment

When treating perimenopausal or menopausal women, we examine the complete hormonal picture.

If oestrogen or progesterone levels are low, HRT or body-identical hormones may improve hair quality. However, hormones alone rarely solve the issue — we also need to support follicle health locally.

Combining Internal and External Treatment

Personalised scalp therapy combines internal hormone balance with external follicle stimulation. By understanding genetics, inflammation, circulation, and nutrient metabolism, we achieve superior results.

What Hair Loss Treatment Options Are Available?

Option 1 – Comprehensive Hair Consultation (£195)

A detailed clinical review for women and men seeking an evidence-based hair restoration plan without genetic testing.

What’s Included:

• Full medical and hormonal history review
• Current medications and contributing factors assessment
• Scalp and follicle examination
• Bespoke compounded formulation using medical-grade actives:

Active Ingredients:

• Minoxidil – improves scalp blood flow and prolongs growth phase
• Finasteride / Dutasteride – DHT blockers (for men, or selected women under supervision)
• Spironolactone or 17-α Estradiol – female-friendly anti-androgens
• Latanoprost / Cetirizine – stimulate follicle activity and reduce inflammation
• Vitamins A, B7 (Biotin), B12, C, D, E and minerals (Zn, Fe, Mg, Se) – correct deficiencies
• Antioxidants & peptides – strengthen and protect follicles

Important: These are prescription-only ingredients unavailable from GPs. They must be prescribed by a dermatologist or doctor experienced in medical hair restoration, and compounded individually by a licensed specialist pharmacy.

Option 2 – TrichoTest™ Genetic Package (£1,500)

For those seeking the most advanced, precision-based hair loss solution.

What’s Included:

• Initial consultation and buccal (cheek) swab
• Genetic testing of 26 key polymorphisms related to hair growth and drug metabolism
• Detailed report from Fagron Genomics (Spain) showing which actives are most effective or contraindicated
• At-home or in-clinic blood testing for deficiencies
• Personalised review appointment to interpret results
• Six months of tailored compounded formulations based on your genetic and clinical profile

Ideal For:

• Perimenopausal and menopausal women with hormonally driven thinning
• Men or women who have tried multiple treatments without success
• Patients wanting a scientifically guided, long-term strategy

Turnaround time: Approximately 2–3 weeks from sample receipt to report. Read more.

Why Don’t Standard Hair Loss Treatments Work for Everyone?

Limited Efficacy of Single-Agent Treatments

Common treatments like Minoxidil and Finasteride can help, but studies show significant variability:

• Only ≈38% of patients respond well to Minoxidil
• Fewer than 11% of men achieve marked regrowth with Finasteride
• Both require 4–6 months of consistent use before results appear

The Genetic Factor

Genetics partly explain treatment variability. For instance, variants in the SULT1A1 gene reduce Minoxidil activation in the scalp. Other polymorphisms affect hormone metabolism, inflammation, or circulation.

Evidence for Combination Therapy

Clinical research (J Dermatolog Treat 2020; Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2017) demonstrates:

• Combination formulations (e.g. Minoxidil + Spironolactone or Finasteride) achieve 40–60% higher response rates than single agents
• Pharmacogenetically guided therapies further improve efficacy and tolerability

Compounded, personalised therapy works better because it’s matched to your biology, not just your symptoms.

Are Both Treatments Evidence-Based?

Yes. Both use clinically validated, CE-approved actives supported by dermatological research.

The difference is personalisation level:

• The £195 consultation relies on clinical assessment and expert formulation
• The £1,500 TrichoTest adds genetic precision to target the root cause of treatment resistance

How Long Does Hair Take to Regrow?

Understanding the Hair Growth Cycle

Realistic Timeline for Hair Regrowth

• Early shedding: May appear in first 4–8 weeks (normal)
• Fine new hairs: 3–4 months
• Visible density: 6 months
• Optimal improvement: 9–12 months

Maintenance is essential. Treatments should continue for at least 12 months, then transition to a maintenance plan. Stopping completely often leads to gradual reversal.

What Makes Compounded Formulations Different from Over-the-Counter Products?

Compounded hair loss treatments offer:

• Tailored to your hormonal stage, scalp type and genetic profile
• Medical-strength, prescription-only actives unavailable in cosmetic ranges
• Formulated by specialist pharmacies for optimal absorption and synergy
• Flexible adjustment as your scalp and hormones change

Can These Treatments Be Combined with Other Therapies?

Yes — integration delivers best results in women’s health.

Compounded prescriptions combine effectively with:

• HRT or body-identical hormones (if appropriate)
• PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) or microneedling
• Nutritional and lifestyle support
• Mind-body coaching to reduce stress-related shedding

This holistic approach aligns with our clinic ethos: where mindset meets medicine.

Why Can’t My GP Prescribe These Ingredients?

NHS GPs are limited to standard, licensed medications.

Many effective hair restoration compounds (e.g. topical Finasteride, Spironolactone mixes, Latanoprost for hair growth) are off-licence or require custom compounding.

Specialist prescription ensures: safety, quality and regulatory compliance through regulated compounding pharmacies.

Is TrichoTest™ Worth It?

For menopausal women — or anyone who has tried multiple treatments with limited results — TrichoTest™ can be transformative.

It provides clear, genetic insight into what your scalp actually needs, eliminating months of guesswork and ineffective therapy.

Both pathways are evidence-based; the genetic option adds precision, predictability and confidence.

How Do I Get Started with Hair Loss Treatment?

Book your appointment at:

📍 The Female Health Doctor, Milton Keynes📧 hello@thefemalehealthdoctor.com📞 01908 103 223

Not sure which option suits you? Book a free discovery call to discuss your hormones, scalp health and goals.

We’ll design a treatment plan that truly fits you.

💛 Because hair loss is not just physical — it’s emotional and requires a holistic approach.

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