“Is Propidren safe and effective for hair loss? How does it work?”
I am a 33 year old woman who just had a baby and am suffering from pretty severe hair loss, especially in the front around the temples. I have heard that Propidren may help, but I get nervous taking anything hat can mess with my hormones. Is it safe, and how does it work? How long will it take? Is this gonna throw my hormones out of wack?
8 Answers
Hello,
I'm sorry to hear you're having post-partum hair loss. I recently answered nearly the same question so I have inserted that answer here below.
Regarding Propidren, the ingredients in this supplement are intended to stop conversion of regular Testosterone to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), which DHT is one of many reasons some people loose hair. (DHT also contributes to belly fat and other issues). While it doesn't harm your hormones, this supplement has some ingredients which have limited or conflicting/inconclusive safety for breastfeeding. You just had a baby. If you are breastfeeding your little one, I would advise to avoid taking it while breastfeeding as there is a potential that baby can get some of the contents which may not be good for him/her. If you want a DHT blocking solution, consider one of the topical options I describe below. Baby won't get that into its system as long as you wash your hands well after applying so baby won't accidentally ingest any.
Does Propriaden work? Short answer - for some but not everyone (i.e. if DHT isn't your cause of hair loss, it won't help). And when it does work, results are variable as each person is different.
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Hello! Your question brings up 2 different but equally frustrating situations: post-partum specific hair loss and general hair loss. Key factors to hair loss are nutritional, increased DHT (making more “bad testosterone” than good), hormones, blood circulation to the scalp and stress.
It is very common to get thicker hair during pregnancy and then in the weeks after giving birth, loose all the extra hair (and sometimes more). Typically, as your hormones continue to shift in the months post-partum, your hair may restore back to it’s pre-pregnancy state. In cases where it doesn’t, there are both nutritional and topical things you can do to help promote growth. These are the same things with general hair loss that can be helpful.
While there are several different causes for hair loss on a nutrient and systemic levels (not including medical conditions like hypothyroidism), the most common are deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, vitamin E and vitamin C. Taking a high quality, high bioavailability (i.e. you can absorb the majority of the ingredients) pre-natal or multivitamin helps get most of these but sometimes extra supplements are needed. “Supplements” can be adding foods rich in these nutrients or pills/capsules/tinctures/herbs. I suggest starting with food as they contain more than just the needed items to maximize absorption. The list of these foods is extensive so it’s easier to just do a quick internet search for food rich in the above nutrients.
Topicals can help too. I’ve had good success with biotin-rich shampoos and DHT-blocking serums with my patients. Examples include Biotin B-complex Thickening Shampoo by Avalon Organics Therapy, and Vegamour Gro Hair Serum. There are others out there too. Just make sure they don’t have lots of chemicals since often those alcohols and other chemicals work against your goal! The above products are free of that garbage.
Scalp massage! Decreased blood flow to the scalp can also contribute so don’t be afraid to get your fingers in there and massage your scalp for a good 5-10 minutes. If your in a pinch, put 3-4 drops of rosemary essential oil in 1 teaspoon of black Jamaican castor oil and use that to massage into your scalp a few mi Jets, let it rest 10 minutes then wash out with your biotin-rich shampoo. The Rosemary helps increase blood flow locally and the black Jamaican castor oil is said to help stimulate hair growth.
Finally, your a new mama. Whether first time mom or not, you’ve got new stress which doesn’t help your hair. Take some “me time” every day. Deep breaths, an epsom salt-lavender flower/essential oil bath, journal, pray, whatever relaxes you. At least 5 minutes daily.
Best wishes, congratulations mama, and happy hair growth!
I'm sorry to hear you're having post-partum hair loss. I recently answered nearly the same question so I have inserted that answer here below.
Regarding Propidren, the ingredients in this supplement are intended to stop conversion of regular Testosterone to DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), which DHT is one of many reasons some people loose hair. (DHT also contributes to belly fat and other issues). While it doesn't harm your hormones, this supplement has some ingredients which have limited or conflicting/inconclusive safety for breastfeeding. You just had a baby. If you are breastfeeding your little one, I would advise to avoid taking it while breastfeeding as there is a potential that baby can get some of the contents which may not be good for him/her. If you want a DHT blocking solution, consider one of the topical options I describe below. Baby won't get that into its system as long as you wash your hands well after applying so baby won't accidentally ingest any.
Does Propriaden work? Short answer - for some but not everyone (i.e. if DHT isn't your cause of hair loss, it won't help). And when it does work, results are variable as each person is different.
---
Hello! Your question brings up 2 different but equally frustrating situations: post-partum specific hair loss and general hair loss. Key factors to hair loss are nutritional, increased DHT (making more “bad testosterone” than good), hormones, blood circulation to the scalp and stress.
It is very common to get thicker hair during pregnancy and then in the weeks after giving birth, loose all the extra hair (and sometimes more). Typically, as your hormones continue to shift in the months post-partum, your hair may restore back to it’s pre-pregnancy state. In cases where it doesn’t, there are both nutritional and topical things you can do to help promote growth. These are the same things with general hair loss that can be helpful.
While there are several different causes for hair loss on a nutrient and systemic levels (not including medical conditions like hypothyroidism), the most common are deficiencies in iron, vitamin D, B vitamins, zinc, vitamin E and vitamin C. Taking a high quality, high bioavailability (i.e. you can absorb the majority of the ingredients) pre-natal or multivitamin helps get most of these but sometimes extra supplements are needed. “Supplements” can be adding foods rich in these nutrients or pills/capsules/tinctures/herbs. I suggest starting with food as they contain more than just the needed items to maximize absorption. The list of these foods is extensive so it’s easier to just do a quick internet search for food rich in the above nutrients.
Topicals can help too. I’ve had good success with biotin-rich shampoos and DHT-blocking serums with my patients. Examples include Biotin B-complex Thickening Shampoo by Avalon Organics Therapy, and Vegamour Gro Hair Serum. There are others out there too. Just make sure they don’t have lots of chemicals since often those alcohols and other chemicals work against your goal! The above products are free of that garbage.
Scalp massage! Decreased blood flow to the scalp can also contribute so don’t be afraid to get your fingers in there and massage your scalp for a good 5-10 minutes. If your in a pinch, put 3-4 drops of rosemary essential oil in 1 teaspoon of black Jamaican castor oil and use that to massage into your scalp a few mi Jets, let it rest 10 minutes then wash out with your biotin-rich shampoo. The Rosemary helps increase blood flow locally and the black Jamaican castor oil is said to help stimulate hair growth.
Finally, your a new mama. Whether first time mom or not, you’ve got new stress which doesn’t help your hair. Take some “me time” every day. Deep breaths, an epsom salt-lavender flower/essential oil bath, journal, pray, whatever relaxes you. At least 5 minutes daily.
Best wishes, congratulations mama, and happy hair growth!
Propidren blocks DHT (dihydrotestosterone) which is the most common hormone causing hair loss in both women and men. Timing is completely dependent on the amount of that hormone as well as your own body's clearance ability. Although it is not dangerous to lower a females DHT levels I always think that any time you are taking anything to lower hormones you should make sure (for both financial and impactful reasons) that you are targeting the RIGHT hormone. Plus if you are a nursing mom I would NOT recommend adding anything that might impact hormones without speaking to either your OB/GYN or Pediatrician. I would also highly encourage you to get tested. Ask that a doctor run a complete hormone panel (Estradiol, progesterone, DHEA, Testosterone, DHT, Cortisol, TSH, T4 and T3).
It may work in male hair lost. Not for females. See your dermatologist to rule out all causes of hair lost. There are over 15 causes!
Congratulations on your new baby! There are many reasons for hair loss including thyroid changes, adrenal stress and the hormone changes with postpartum. Based on the ingredients list, propidren will affect hormones. From a naturopathic perspective, it is best to try to understand why the hair loss is occurring, in your case through labs and further discussion before treating it. I would get a CBC, thyroid panel, estradiol, total testosterone, free testosterone, DHEA-S, and cortisol and maybe and DHT. Your provider will know what all these test are and can discuss them with you.
In health,
Dr Bosted
In health,
Dr Bosted
That only blocks one type of hormone. Without knowing where all of your other hormones are at, it is hard to say if it would be effective. Hair loss postpartum is normal (I am still growing back mine), but excessive can be due to low thyroid or other combinations of hormone fluctuations.
I do not have any personal experience with any of my patients using Propiden. Upon looking at the ingredients, it is a combination of herbs that help male pattern baldness by blocking Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Without knowing your full health history, it sounds like you are experiencing postpartum shedding, which is very common and can last up to 12 months. Increased DHT of the hair follicles is not the same reason for postpartum shedding, so this product may not work for you. As for safety, this product is considered unsafe if you are nursing, and each herb listed, such as saw palmetto and pygeum, can have side effects including hormonal imbalances.
I am not familiar with Propidren or how it works and whether it is safe. However, I do know proper diet, healthy lifestyle changes, and especially plant medicine can no doubt help with hair loss significantly without altering hormones or experiencing ill side effects.
Hair loss can be caused by a variety of things such as hormonal changes, stress, and dietary changes. Without addressing the causes, it is not possible to help with any recommendation.
