Hair Loss During Menopause: What Women Need to Know

 

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Hair Loss During Menopause: What Women Need to Know

Thinning hair and hair loss can be extremely complicated. In some instances, people experience hair loss due to a genetic predisposition to it, proving it to be completely unrelated to other health factors. In other instances, hair loss, is found to be a symptom of an underlying health condition, a nutrient deficiency, or even a hormone imbalance.

Women know that their hormones are in a semi-constant state of flux. Monthly menstrual cycles cause symptoms of hormonal imbalance such as mood instability and weight fluctuation, and when women go through more serious hormonal conditions like pregnancy, inconsistencies in the natural hair growth cycle can play a large role during the process.

Though menstrual cycles and pregnancy can wreak havoc on a woman’s hormones, there’s another natural process that takes a similar toll on hormonal balances: menopause.

What is menopause and how does it affect my hair?

Menopause is the process a woman’s body goes through when she is exiting her natural window of fertility. During this time, hormones are fluctuating wildly and can cause all kinds of unpleasant symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, and weight fluctuations, not to mention thinning hair and hair loss.

Hair loss during menopause is specifically caused by the lowered production of progesterone and estrogen in the body, which are hormones known to support the hair growth cycle and keep hair on your head for longer periods, among many other functions. The decreased production of these hormones also triggers the increased production of androgens, which are typically male hormones that shrink hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Though hair loss during menopause can typically be linked to hormonal changes, this isn’t always the whole story. Hair loss can often occur due to high stress, lack of proper nutrition, and as a side effect of certain illnesses and medications. Since menopause typically happens when a woman is in her mid-50s, there is some likelihood that there may be other health-related issues causing hair loss besides menopause itself.

Preventing Hair Loss During Menopause: What You Can Do

There are several options to consider when it comes to hair loss prevention methods. Depending on the specific cause of your hair loss, different methods will have different levels of effectiveness. Here are some of the best ways to slow or stop your hair loss and support healthy hair regrowth during menopause:

Try a laser hair cap. Depending on the severity of your hair loss, you may have decided that the problem goes beyond lifestyle factors. In cases like this, an FDA-cleared laser cap can help. These devices use low-level light therapy, an FDA-cleared hair growth treatment, to slow the spread of hair loss and return hair follicles to a healthy state in order to facilitate new hair growth. What’s more, laser hair caps only need to be worn for 30 minutes every other day in order to see results.    

Create an exercise routine. We know what you’re thinking, and no, exercise does not directly cause your hair to grow. However, living an active lifestyle is one of the key ways to maintain healthy hormonal balances, which can in turn reduce hair loss and even support healthy hair growth over time. Whether you prefer lifting weights at the gym or simply adding a long walk into your daily routine, regular exercise can lead to improved hair appearance and thickness.

Reduce your stress levels. Stress has virtually no positive effects, yet so many of us find ourselves victims of it on a daily basis. Stress is another prime catalyst for hormone imbalance, so the more you get your stress under control, the healthier your hair growth cycle will be. Some common ways to reduce stress are meditating, journaling, listening to music, and incorporating other self-care habits that you enjoy into your day.

Change your hairstyle. Many women feel a certain level of attachment to their long, beautiful locks. However, the longer your hair is when menopausal hair loss starts to take effect, the more noticeable the thinning will be. Many women have been able to boost their self-confidence during periods of hair loss by switching to a shorter hairstyle, which makes hiding thinning hair much easier than with long tresses.

Hydrate and eat well. The power of a healthy diet should never be underestimated. If you’re experiencing hair loss during menopause, it may be due to nutrient deficiency even more than hormonal imbalance. Make sure to incorporate lots of vitamins, minerals, and protein into your diet through leafy greens, berries, legumes, and lean meats. Make sure to compound this with several glasses of water per day, as this will keep your hair looking and feeling healthy and hydrated.