Menopause Symptoms: Hair Loss
I remember sitting in my hair stylist chair asking about the strands of hair that started coming out in my brush on a regular basis. It was stressful time in my life so we talked about the hair loss and stress. I noticed my drain clogged with hair being more than usual. It was alarming. I had long hair then and I first ignored it because I figured I had plenty. Then I began to notice the edges in the front of my hair breaking off. That, was very noticeable. Because I did not know what I know now about menopause, I did not even think it was hormonal so I did not have that conversation with my MD, just my hair stylist (therapist :-)
Who gets hair loss?
Some 40% of women will experience hair loss after menopause. In two thirds of women this will be all over the scalp. For the remainder, the hair loss is over the front or temples only. Hair loss may start during the perimenopause or occur many years after.
Why does hair loss occur with the menopause?
While a hair follicle is only tiny, it is an extremely complex structure that is still not well understood, especially when it comes to hormonal changes. This happened due to aging and lack of estrogen, female pattern hair loss, skin conditions, and even medications.
It is very common for a woman to have multiple factors contributing to their hair loss, as any of the causes listed above can be present in combination with other causes.
What are the best ways of looking after your hair during the perimenopause and menopause?
It is advisable to use a gentle shampoo and a good quality conditioner. Avoid tight hair styles so as to reduce the strain on hair follicles. It is best to avoid intense hair drying as this can damage hair shafts and make them more prone to splitting. Wearing a hat when it is sunny will protect the scalp and hair from UV damage. Coloring hair is usually not a problem and can be continued so you can keep covering up those grays.
A balanced diet is ideal,. If weight loss is being planned, this should be very gradual and sudden drops in calorie intake should be avoided at all costs. It is also important to ensure that iron levels in the body are adequate, and that there is no thyroid imbalance.
Taking hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can slow down or even stop hair loss in some women. It is hard to predict who will benefit. As this is not a sole reason to get on HRT, you should talk to your doctor if you are having other symptoms of menopause that require you to be on HRT like severe hot flashes.
Managing stress, both in general and that caused by the hair loss, can be very important in dealing with hair loss in the long term.
It is important to establish (as best as possible) the cause of hair loss, as treatment should be directed towards this. Assessment by a doctor specializing in hair loss may involve a clinical review, blood tests and even a hair biopsy for complete evaluation.
Menopausal hair loss doesn’t happen to everyone going through the transition, but it is a common symptom. It occurs due to the reduction in hormone levels during menopause. This drives biological changes that affect how thick the hair grows in, how quickly the hair grows, and the rate of hair loss. Other lifestyle factors, such as diet and excessive stress, can also play a role in menopausal hair loss.
There are various treatment options available for menopausal hair loss that focus heavily on balancing hormones. These include reducing stress, exercising, and eating a healthy diet. Being kind to your hair by avoiding harsh hair-care practices can also encourage a healthier scalp and less hair loss.
sources: Newson Health and verywellhealth.com