Conceiving and alopecia universalis

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Deeann on July 17, 2008 at 11:30pm

It certainly sounds like this is plausible. I have a feeling it would be a difficult thing for your physician to discuss with you, as they won't know anything about it. I have two children, but didn't develop universalis until after my 2nd child was born. I had areata from the time I was 7 though. I assume they would want all sorts of information about your cycles too. It may not be anything other than timing and conditions. I wish you good luck with your endeavor. I wish I could be more helpful. I hope you get more informative replies.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kyrie on July 18, 2008 at 12:06am

It seems possible. I often wonder whether I have many / any hairs inside my ears. I think I maybe five nostril hairs, but they come and go.
I discovered a patch of hair missing in Spring 2006, by fall I officially had alopecia universalis.
I tried to find a 'cure' and even consulted with an 'alternative' provider who suggested that my birth control pills may be causing hormone imbalance, so I quit.
A couple of months later, I was pregnant.
For me, the alopecia did not complicate conception.
Interestingly: during both of my pregnancies, I grew hair. The dermatologist treatments did not cause ANY hair growth.
First pregnancy, I looked like Homer Simpson (fat belly, a little strip of hair around the middle of my head. It fell out weeks after delivery.
Second pregnancy, I grew more hair and had a full head (albeit very short) of hair by the time I gave birth. It, too, fell out weeks after delivery.
I still have universalis.
Any way ... it may not be alopecia that is hindering your conceiving?
I wish you luck with conceiving!!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on July 18, 2008 at 9:04am

I've had AU since I was 16 and managed to pump out three lovely little girls without a problem. It did take some time for me to become pregnant but I think that was mostly because I was irregular in my cycle. I didn't have cilia either. Alopecia does not cause fertility problems. Good luck with conceiving though and congrats in your decision on wanting be a parent! :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Trina on July 18, 2008 at 10:50am

Wow! I do have a child and it was harder to conceive but I believe that was due to irregular cycles. I dont think that Alopecia causes fertility issues but you never know with this crazy condition..

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Char on July 19, 2008 at 9:43am

I'm 26 and have been trying for 3 years with no such luck. I have AU now, but I orignially have AA for 12 years prior to AU. My doctor has me on hormone medication because he says some of my hormones are little off. He never connected the two and says it's just coincidental. Hope this helps.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lori D. on July 21, 2008 at 8:46am

I'm so glad this came up. I never thought about any connection. I've been trying for three years with no luck. I'm relieved to read that people with alopecia have conceived.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Diane on July 21, 2008 at 9:42pm

I've been through infertility and fertility clinics a few years ago and I've had alopecia all my life and been AU for the last 6 years... never heard or read anything about a link between those two...
Good luck.
Diane

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Katie on July 22, 2008 at 3:22am

I don't know if we lose the cilia in our fallopian tubes or not. To tell you the truth, I didn't know there was cilia there in the first place. I've had AA/AT/AU for about 12 years. Luckily, I haven't experienced any fertility problems. I have two sons. My oldest is 4 years old and my youngest is 17 months. Good luck!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lindsey on July 30, 2008 at 11:47pm

Hi. Please don't worry. I have had alopecia universalis for 26 years now - beginning when I was 24. I had three perfectly normal pregnancies (and three wonderful children with no signs of an autoimmune disorder of any kind - thank God!) The only trouble I had was in conceiving my 2nd child, which took a little more effort than with my first. After using a basal thermometer, my doctor and I determined that I was ovulating much later in my cycle than normal (I think it was day 21, rather than around day 14). And, by the way, I have always thought that I have been without nostril hair all these years - couldn't see any, but my ENT said he did see some when he scoped me prior to sinus surgery. Either way - alopecia should NOT affect your fallopian tubes or a pregnancy in any way. There can be an "up" side: my doctor jokingly thanked me for being prepped for delivery prior (no shaving necessary!) God bless and good luck.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by kastababy on August 6, 2008 at 7:56pm

I have PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which is characterized by irregular or absent periods and abnormally high testosterone levels. I always wondered if because AA is an autoimmune disorder then would it stand to reason that my immune system would attack my ovaries and make me infertile too? I've been considering having a child for a couple of years now, and I think that when I visit my OB/GYN and endocrinologist in the fall I will start asking these questions. I am also hypothyroid too (immune system is killing my thyroid gland slowly but surely), so I am quite convinced that these conditions are all related somehow. Glad you mentioned this -- and I'll be sure to post what I've learned!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by fiona on September 16, 2008 at 4:28pm

i have au and conceived 2 kids hun. good luck and fingers crossed x

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Emma on September 16, 2008 at 4:45pm

Hi there, i have a 5 year old son. Have had Alopecia for over ten years and conceived with no problems at all...

x

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2