An unavoidable aspect of getting older, for women, is the on-set of the menopause. Thankfully, it is no longer a taboo subject that is only discussed in whispers. We are much more educated these days and the topic is no longer off limits. Flick through any women’s magazine, or tune in to your regular daytime chat show, and you are likely to be hearing about someone’s account of the menopause and how they are dealing with it.
The Symptoms of the Menopause
The list of symptoms is a long one, but most people associate the menopause with hot flushes, mood swings and insomnia. Whilst some women may only experience mild symptoms, others are subject to the whole gamut. One of the less common, but no less unpleasant side effects, is that of thinning hair or hair loss. So, can menopause cause hair loss? Sadly yes, but there is help out there.
So, why does menopause cause hair loss in women?
From around the age of 45 -50 (sometimes earlier), most women will start to notice changes in their body and mind. Symptoms range from mild, almost unnoticeable, to severe and have a dramatic impact on a woman’s life. The reason for these changes? The start of the perimenopause. Women are used to dealing with hormonal changes throughout their lives. From the menstrual cycle to pregnancy, hormones play an important role in regulating our bodies and how they withstand the many changes that take place. The menopause is one such stage that results in hormonal fluctuations. This is what is responsible for putting our bodies into the menopause phase. A drop in oestrogen production in our mid 40s results in the many changes that the menopause can bring. Knowledge is your best defence – the more you understand the whys and wherefores, the better equipped you are to face the oncoming challenges and find solutions that work for you.
Does the Menopause Cause Hair Loss in all Women?
So, does menopause cause hair loss in all women? The short answer is ‘no.’ Around 50% of women in the menopause phase report thinning hair and an itchy scalp. Women often ask, ‘why does menopause cause hair loss?’ The fact is that during this stage of a woman’s life both oestrogen and progesterone levels drop. Amongst other things this affects hair growth. These are the hormones that keep the hair in the growing phase. The reduction in these levels leads to the shrinking of the hair follicles, which in turn causes the hair to stop growing.
How will I know if my hair is thinning?
It’s normal to lose some hair every day. It’s only when we notice changes in this pattern that we start to question why. You might start to notice more hair in your hairbrush, in the shower or on your pillow. You may also feel that your hair has become thinner overall.
These are all signs that you may be going through a hair loss phase and the menopause may well be the reason why.
Can menopause cause hair loss in all women?
All women may be susceptible to hair loss during the menopause phase but there are other contributing factors. Our age, diet, ethnicity and genetic make-up can all have a considerable influence on our hair growth and loss, both before, during and following the menopause. It’s really important to remember that hair loss due to hormonal changes is, in most cases, temporary. Once the hormones have settled and regulated then the normal hair growth pattern should resume. In short, ‘does menopause cause hair loss?’ – yes it does. ‘Is there something I can do about it?’ – yes again. Let’s have a look at some things you can do to keep that head of hair as full as possible.
How can I keep my hair strong during menopause?
Many of the changes during menopause are inevitable, but there are things you can do to minimise their influence on the body, and in this case, hair growth. It goes without saying that maintaining a healthy lifestyle will put you in the best position to maintain a healthy head of hair. Eat well to support your system; exercise regularly to reduce stress levels and take time to relax and unwind. Try to avoid using high heat styling tools as these can weaken the hair that you have and add to the problem of thinning hair. Taking supplements to ensure your body has the right level of nutrients to maintain healthy hair growth is also vital. In particular Vitamin D, B12, Iron and Zinc are effective. Vitamin C is also known not only to promote healthy hair growth, but to stimulate regrowth after hair loss.
Can menopause cause hair loss, and which products can help?
There are a number of products on the market that claim to help with hair loss due to the menopause. Some are specifically targeted at promoting hair growth and reducing shedding, whilst others can help to thicken the appearance of the hair you have. With ingredients from rayon particles to salicylic acid and zinc to caffeine, the options are wide and varied enough for you to find a treatment to manage your specific needs. If you want to find out more about these less invasive, non-surgical options then why not give Enhance Hair Restoration a call. Amongst their solutions are treatments that can help to slow down hair loss or help to stimulate the growth of new hair. If you feel surgery is a step too far at this stage then it’s a great alternative, and one that yields excellent results.
What other treatments are available?
You do, of course, have more permanent options if the hair doesn’t grow back as you would like. Hair loss is a progressive condition, so the sooner you address the problem the better. You can choose from different types of hair transplant that provide permanent and incredibly natural looking results. Enhance Hair Restoration offers a range of surgical treatments, including the very successful, full follicular unit transplant. This procedure involves taking follicles from the back of the head and relocating them to the areas of concern. You can find out more by calling Enhance Hair Restoration and speaking to one of our experts.
The menopausal phase has a lot to answer for. Can menopause cause hair loss? Sadly, yes it can. But rest assured this is usually a temporary issue, and there’s a lot you can do in the meantime to support your locks!
