Hair Loss on Femara

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Anyone with any good suggestions how to combat hair loss while taking Femara? After 4 years on Tamoxifen I switched to Femara about 4 months ago and now my hair is not only thinning but coming out real bad. I can deal well with the other side effects of Femara, but this one is really tough and bothers me tremendously. I know there is not much one can do, but maybe some of you have found something that's helped them. Is Rogaine an option for breast cancer women? Is there a chance that the body gets used to it and the hair loss stops after a while? Any helpful comments are welcome!

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  • Meow13
    Meow13 Member Posts: 4,859
    edited December 2016

    I was on anastrozole and then exemestane I didn't have any problems but now I'm off the drugs I think my skin an hair look better though. I didn't like the weight gain.

    I never did tamoxifen, my neighbor was on tamoxifen then switched to Arimidex then Aromasin the brand name drugs and she had terrible hair loss.

  • dtad
    dtad Member Posts: 2,323
    edited December 2016

    Try taking biotin. I have also heard there are dermatologists that specialize in hair loss from aromatase inhibitors. I know how difficult this SE is. Hope that helps...

  • Joho89
    Joho89 Member Posts: 2
    edited December 2016

    I hear they are using ice caps form chemo patients , for hair loss . Not sure it would work for this ? You can google Ice caps ?

    So far I am just getting the thinning hair . from Hormone treatment , I took Tamaxophn for 6 mos it has stopped working ,

    Started new meds . I am stage 4 MBC


  • TarheelMichelle
    TarheelMichelle Member Posts: 871
    edited December 2016

    Cold caps prevent hair loss by preventing chemo from penetrating the scalp. Hair loss caused by hormone therapy is related to hormone insufficiency, which cold caps can't do anything about.

    Within two months of starting Femara, my hair was coming out in clumps, in the shower, in my hairbrushes, all over my clothes. My scalp was tender; and brushing hurt. My fingernails also thinned, so much that my nail beds hurt. Wearing rubber gloves, and keeping polish on my nails at all times helped prevent breakage.

    For hair loss, I kept my long hair gently pinned up most of the time. This didn't stop shedding, but it stopped the constancy of it. I didn't have to see it every second of the day. I bought flattering hats, so I was getting compliments, which helped my damaged ego.

    I bought hair! First I started with a clip-on, synthetic hair ponytail. Under $20. It was so easy, plus it helped on days when I didn't have energy to style my hair.

    I stopped washing my hair every day. Took it down to 1-2 times a week. Used dry shampoo to keep hair fresh. There are some great new hair products that help. Bumble & Bumble makes a hair freshening spray. I also bought a hair thickening powder. It made my hair look thicker as well as absorbing excess oil so I could skip shampooing for an extra day or two.

    I also switched to washing my hair in sink instead of shower. No more vigorous scrubbing. I fill sink with water, "bathe" my hair, gently work shampoo from scalp to ends, rinse hair in sink of water, apply conditioner, fill sink again, gently rinse hair in water, repeat with another basin of water if necessary. I use a wide tooth comb, and either a vent brush

    The lifesaver for me was a hair "halo" -- real hair attached to a monofilament wire. Easy to slip in, no hairpins needed, no stress on existing hair. It adds volume, and length if you want it. My hairdresser ordered it for me, trimmed it and showed me how to wear it. I style it with a curling iron, just like my own hair. I get compliments on my hair all the time.

    Hair loss is miserable. I was in tears almost every day. Having "fake hair" helped. I hope you find something that works for you.


  • wintersocks
    wintersocks Member Posts: 922
    edited December 2016

    I wonder if it will improve following coming off it (my 5 years finish Summer 2017) but then onto Tamoxifen apparently.

    Any post Femara ladies out there to help answer this?

  • Moondale
    Moondale Member Posts: 12
    edited March 2017

    After almost three months I wanted to give an update. My gyn/ob recommended Minoxidil. She said it would most probably help with hair loss from an AI. And sure enough three months later I really have to say it does. After about two weeks of using it I had terrible shedding which is described as indicating that the treatment actually works well. But that really was a leap of faith. I tried to avoid looking at all the hair in the sink. It was worth it! By now not only has the hair loss stopped, there is actually new hair growing especially on the hairline on the forehead. I am really happy it works and wanted to share this with you!

  • Kristiina
    Kristiina Member Posts: 16
    edited March 2017

    I have just started on Femara a few weeks ago and my hair has become thinner since menopause as it is. I would hate for it to get thinner. Thank you for the suggestion in case I need it.


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