Hair Loss

I have had a series of tragic events happen to me in a very short time period:
-on 5.11.07 I sufferred a miscarriage with a d&c
-I then became pregnant with an ectopic pregnancy on 7.18.07 (it took 6 weeks to dissolve and I had to have one shot of methotrexate to help guide it along--it finally completely went away on 8.23.07)
-I bleed continuously for the 6 weeks I was ectopic
-prior to that I was on the pill for about 10 years until Jan. 07'
-I lost 2 jobs within 8 months
-and recently lost my husband of 8 years.

since about early July (3 months), I have been experiencing SIGNIFICANT hair loss.  I already have thin hair as it is.
I went to a dermatologist who said I had TE from everything mentioned above and that it could go on for months.
I also saw a naturalist, who said that it is all related to a hormonal balance (and the reason for all my other problems as well). I have been taking Symplex F, Evening Primrose Oil, pre natal vitamins & Thiamin to help balance that. I have also added a biotin and biosil supplement to help it grow back.
I have been told my thyroid function is fine and I have no evidence of pcos--otherwise I'm a healthy 29-year old.
Can you answer the following questions:
1) I've been put on loestrin birth control since the ectopic--is this an androgenic pill and/or is bad for hair loss
2) Does this sound like TE and if so, when will it end?
3) Is there anything else I can do to stop it--I'm managing the stress in my life the best I can.
4) Could this be something else?

Thank you for your response.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You have my deepest sympathy for all the terrible things that have happened to you.  There seems little doubt that your hair loss is related to your stress, especially to th miscarriage.  I agree that telogen effluvium (TE) is the likely diagnosis.  That means that your hair loss, as dramatic as it is, will be reversible.  This will probably take several months.  There really isn't anything you need to do to bring this about--just eat and sleep as best you can, and let nature take care of things, as it is likely to do in your case.  (I don't think the pill you're taking is a problem here.)

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[HopefulWM]

Several months meaning 4-6, 6-9 or more? I'm already at 3.5 months...In the meantime, could I lose most of my hair?

[loiloi]

Sorry to hear about your experience. My hair started falling out when i was having a bad time too. You have 100,000 hairs on your head so your unlikely to lose most of it. I found taking vitamin B helped. Love loiloi x