Progesterone can influence hair follicle growth through central and local action. Central action is referred to as the inhibitory effect on LH secretion, which in turn causes a decrease in ovarian theca cell stimulation (androgen synthesis).
In clinical practice, micronized progesterone (MP) is frequently recommended to treat signs and symptoms of skin and hair aging in menopausal women.
Excess thyroid, estrogen, progesterone and DHEA supplements can all cause hair loss. When the hair follicle is exposed to higher-than-normal levels of hormone, it shuts down and stops responding.
Change in Hormones
In women, a couple of different things can happen. Pregnant women may find their hair thicker and more voluminous than ever before. This is due to an increase in estrogen and progesterone. On the other hand, menopause can result in hair that is thin, coarse, and dry.
Lower estrogen and progesterone levels: Estrogen and progesterone stimulate hair growth, which is why pregnant women—who are producing extra levels of these hormones—tend to experience thickening hair during their pregnancy.
Hormones like DHEA (a hormone produced by the adrenal glands) and testosterone play the largest role in hair growth in general. When levels of these hormones are too high, people can experience excessive hair growth, particularly on the body and face.
The female sex hormone oestrogen makes body hair fine and soft. Androgens are male sex hormones, including testosterone, which are responsible for masculine characteristics such as facial hair and coarse body hair. A woman's ovaries and adrenal glands naturally make a small amount of androgens.
Progesterone stimulates the production of sebum or the oil glands in the skin. It can cause the skin to swell, and compress the look of pores. Too much of it, however, can lead to oil build up.
Estrogen and progesterone have many characteristics that aid in preventing aging signs on your skin. For example, they naturally increase hyaluronic acid (HA) and prevent the loss of collagen and elastin.
Progesterone also decreases your body's reliance on the hormone cortisol, which ages the skin. There are many benefits to balanced progesterone that affect aging. It is a natural antidepressant and anti-anxiety hormone and a sleep aid – all of which affect how your body ages.
While progesterone doesn't directly cause weight gain, it does increase your hunger levels which may make you feel like you're eating more and therefore gaining weight. But progesterone is just a small player in hormone balance and weight management. There are other hormone imbalances that may cause weight gain.
DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone, is the enemy of hair follicles on your head. Simply put, under certain conditions DHT wants those follicles dead. This simple action is at the root of many kinds of hair loss.
Aging. Women who are pre menopausal or menopausal are prone to an increase in the growth of hair. This is because of the hormonal changes that are going on within their bodies. If there is a disruption in the balance between estrogen, testosterone and progesterone this can cause hair to grow.
Oral Finasteride
Finasteride slows the rate of hair loss and stimulates new hair growth by inhibiting the body's production of a hormone that destroys hair follicles. This medication is taken once a day by mouth and is most effective when taken at the same time each day.
As with male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness comes from hormone imbalances, specifically dihydrotestosterone imbalances, or DHT. This hormone is similar in structure to testosterone, but it is significantly more potent [3]. DHT can attach to receptors on the hair follicles, causing the follicles to shrink.
Using large doses of this medicine over a long period of time and using it with an estrogen medicine may increase your risk of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, or dementia. Talk with your doctor about these risks. Your risk of heart disease or stroke from this medicine is higher if you smoke.
In all these effects note that progesterone does not directly cause weight loss. Instead it reduces the effect of other hormones in the body which are causing the weight gain. Think of it as allowing rather than causing the body to lose weight.
If you have a uterus, you'll likely need to take progesterone along with the estrogen. Estrogen without progesterone increases the risk of uterine cancer. The estrogen and progesterone combination has benefits and risks: Decreases risk of osteoporosis, colon cancer and all-cause mortality.
To get thicker hair, eat a healthy diet with omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, iron, and vitamin D. For thicker hair, it's important to use a sulfate-free shampoo and to stop using heat styling products like flat irons or curling irons.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss.