💪 The Hairy Chin Newsletter #7

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Hello and Happy Monday to everyone!

Welcome back to The Hairy Chin, where we talk, share, and educate about all things women’s health and wellness - yes, including those wiry chin hairs that pop up at the most unwelcome times. It’s like those iconic commercials from the 1960s: “It’s 10 p.m., do you know where your tweezers are?”

Here’s a quick rundown of this week’s entry:

• Your Advocacy Toolkit: How To Advocate with AI

• Body Talk 101: Hair Loss in Women

• Health Truths: Depression In Women

• Told By Her: ChatGPT Saved My Life

• On The Podcast (4/30): Amy Mowbray of The Migraine Life

• The Supplement Scoop (5/2): Calcium

Let’s learn together! 💪

Spencer Moore
Founder, The Hairy Chin
(Listen to The Hairy Chin Podcast)
(Subscribe to The Hairy Chin Newsletter)
(Follow us on Instagram)

More and more of us are turning to tools like AI to help us navigate the complicated world of healthcare. (Check out the Told By Her section below for examples of ChatGPT giving life-saving info.) And while AI an incredible resource that is amazing at breaking down data and sharing info in a way that makes sense, it’s still not a substitute for real medical advice. 

(You can read about why in this article, “Does ChatGPT Tell The Truth” to learn how models like ChatGPT can ‘hallucinate’ - where they can give convincing, but incorrect and misleading information.)

Bottom line: Al models can appear pretty darn convincing, but always make sure to double check information and speak with your medical professional.

If you're curious about how AI and healthcare intersect, here are a few ways AI can empower you on your healthcare journey:

• Clarifying Symptoms: AI can simplify medical terms and explain symptoms you’re unfamiliar with. For example, “What are the common symptoms of X?” or “What does X mean?”

• Tracking Your Health Journey: Use AI to track symptoms, medications, and health changes, making it easier to discuss your journey with a provider. For example, “Can you help me track symptoms of X?”

• Asking Questions: AI can help you think through important questions to stay proactive about your care. For example, “What long-term effects should I be concerned about with X?”

To learn more about AI and how to incorporate it into your life, check out our sponsor for this week, The Rundown AI newsletter. (Click the ad above to learn more.)

Many women have had that moment - noticing more hair on the hairbrush, or the pillow case or the shower drain. And let’s be real: hair loss can be pretty crappy. And it’s not only about how it makes you feel; it could be your body trying to tell you something.

Here are some common causes of hair loss in women:

• Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL): This affects about 40% of women by age 50. FPHL usually starts slowly and can begin as early as your late 20s. It often shows up as a widening part or thinning at the crown. FPHL is mostly genetic and is closely linked to hormonal changes, especially during menopause when estrogen levels dip.

• Telogen Effluvium: This often temporary condition happens when hair follicles stop growing and go into the shedding phase. It can be triggered by physical and emotional stress (think severe illness or big life changes) and is also the most common type of drug-induced hair loss.

• Alopecia Areata: In this case, your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, leading to round patches of hair loss. It can happen at any age and often without warning. Those with other autoimmune conditions (like psoriasis, thyroid disease, or vitiligo) are at higher risk for this kind of hair loss.

If you’re noticing thinning hair or hair loss, it’s important to consider underlying causes - hormonal, drug-induced, autoimmune, or stress-related - and consult a healthcare professional to understand and treat your individual situation. You can also read more about hair loss in women, here. 

And, let’s talk for a minute about Minoxidil, aka Rogaine. While many know this over-the-counter medicine as an FDA-approved treatment for hair loss, many don’t know that it’s extremely toxic to pets. Even tiny amounts can seriously harm (or even kill) your furry friends. You can read about it here in the study, “Topical Minoxidil Exposures and Toxicoses in Dogs and Cats,” and also here in Allure Magazine, “I’m So Sorry To Tell You This, But Your Rogaine Could Kill Your Cat.” 

Stay proactive to protect your pets from exposure. 💛

Women are more than twice as likely as men to experience depression. ^{(PMID: 26107348)}  

Depression tends to hit women harder, especially in younger years. In fact, between the ages of 14 and 25, women are more than twice as likely to experience depression compared to men. As we get older, though, that gap starts to shrink, and by the time we hit 65, depression rates are pretty similar between genders.

Women are also more likely to deal with certain types of depression, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), postpartum depression, and depression or anxiety after menopause. 

And yes, if you connected those dots, then bravo 👏 Because all of those conditions are closely tied to hormonal changes and it might be why women are more likely to experience depression in the first place. To learn more, you can read about it here at the Mayo Clinic.

And also, check out this article by Simon Sinek’s Optimism Company. There they talk about “The Incredible Power of an ‘Eight-Minute Catch-Up’ with a Friend.” It’s a lovely concept to help keep in touch with your loved ones. 💛 (And if you don’t know Simon Sinek, check him out, too!)

Earlier, we talked about how AI can be used in healthcare, and here’s a story that highlights this more than ever. Meet Natallia Tarrien, an 8-month pregnant woman living in Charlotte, NC. One evening, Natallia had an unsettling feeling, so she asked ChatGPT a simple question. She shares the story on her Instagram account, where she documents her journey as a mother.

Natallia explains:

“I asked ChatGPT a question...

‘I am 8 months pregnant. Why does my jaw feel tight?’

It didn’t feel serious, but ChatGPT responded: ‘Check your blood pressure.’

So I did. It was high - really high. I thought it would go down… but it only kept climbing.

Then ChatGPT said, ‘Call an ambulance. Now.’

By the time we got to the hospital, my blood pressure was 200/146. The doctors took one look at me and said, ‘We need to deliver your baby, immediately.’ My son was born safely, and I’m okay now. But the doctor said something I’ll never forget: ‘If you had gone to sleep that night… you wouldn’t have woken up.’

Natallia now advocates for women to recognize the symptoms of preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening pregnancy complication characterized by high blood pressure and signs of damage to organs. Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial in preventing severe outcomes.

And Natallia isn’t alone, there are more people sharing stories of AI helping to diagnose their medical crises. Like Lauren Bannon, who recently came forward sharing that ChatGPT diagnosed her thyroid cancer in this story with Fox News, “Woman says ChatGPT saved her life by helping detect cancer, which doctors missed.” 

These stories are powerful reminders to listen to our bodies, ask questions and work with medical professionals to advocate for your best health.

This week, The Hairy Chin Podcast welcomes Amy Mowbray, founder of The Migraine Life, to explore the reality of living with migraine. (She explains in the episode why the community no longer uses the plural “migraines.”) Amy shares her journey from daily, debilitating attacks to reclaiming her life. In the episode, we discuss migraine triggers, management strategies, and the importance of mindset and community support. Amy offers hope, reminding listeners that recovery and relief are possible. You can find her on IG at @the_migraine_life.

🎙️ Catch the episode this Wednesday at 9 AM EST on all major podcast platforms - including Apple, Spotify, iHeart and YouTube)

(And please don’t forget to hit subscribe wherever you watch or listen to the podcast - it helps more than you know! Many thanks 💛 )

Coming up on this Friday’s Supplement Scoop is calcium! Let’s learn how to keep those bones strong as we age! 💪

Here’s a sneak peak:

• Calcium is essential in maintaining your bones and plays critical roles in nerve transmission, muscle contraction, and your cardiovascular system. 

• Getting sufficient calcium each day (1,000 to 1,200 mg for adults) from your diet (i.e., not all from supplements) may decrease your risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Keep an eye out for The Supplement Scoop landing in your inbox this Friday, May 2nd.

Ok my amigas, that’s a wrap.

Self-advocacy has never been easier - from To-Do to TA-DA - just like that! 💪

Bravo for being here,
Spencer Moore

_{DISCLAIMER: The information shared here, which can include affiliate links, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be treated as such. Always consult with a qualified provider before making any medical decisions, changing your health routine, or starting a new treatment. This content is meant to help you learn about yourself and advocate for your well-being. What you do with this information is entirely up to you.} 💛

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