Menopause is a natural biological change in women that marks the end of their reproductive years. Typically, it occurs during a woman’s late 40s to early 50s. During this phase, there is declination in the production of reproductive hormones, primarily estrogen and progesterone. During menopause, a woman goes through lots of physical and hormonal changes. Hair loss is one of the potential symptoms that some women might experience during this time.
Female pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) occurs during or after menopause in women due to hormonal changes. Due to a decline in estrogen levels during menopause, it contributes to hair thinning or loss. However, not all women experience significant hair loss, and the degree of hair thinning can vary from person to person. Genetics also plays a role in determining if a female is susceptible to menopause hair loss.
Menopause Hair Loss
Could you be experiencing Menopause hair loss? September is Menopause Awareness Month, so it is a good time to look at ways to make menopause a more positive experience. In the U.S., the average age of women at the time of menopause is 51 years old.
Over 50% of women report hair loss by age of 50. So, don’t worry. You’re not alone. We all are aware of the more common side effects of menopause: mood swings, depression, skin dryness, loss of libido, and hot flashes. What comes as a shock to most menopausal women is when their usually healthy hair unexpectedly starts thinning out.
Causes of Menopause Hair Loss
Genetic, hormonal, and age-related factors can cause menopause hair loss. Here are some of the primary causes:
1. Blame It on Male Hormones for Menopausal Hair Loss!
Hair loss is actually a common side effect of menopause. It’s just not as noticeable as men’s hair loss because it follows a completely different pattern. You may notice that more hair clings to your brush and assume it's normal hair shedding.
But gradually, as your hormone production declines, you start to realize that the central part of your scalp is becoming wider. Or that you need three turns instead of two of an elastic band to throw your hair up into a ponytail.
Hair loss is often associated with hormonal changes, so during menopause, the hair loss makes sense. When female hormones start declining, male hormones - Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) made from testosterone - increase disproportionately.
DHT is infamously known as a hair follicle assassin, so its role in menopausal hair loss isn’t that surprising. An increase in DHT is also why some women might experience fuzzy facial hair growth during menopause. The hair growth and hair loss effects of menopause depend on how sensitive you are to male hormones to begin with.
2. Aging
As women age, hair follicles can become smaller and enter shorter growth cycles. This can result in reduced hair density and overall thinning.
3. Genetics
Some women inherit genes from their parents that make them more likely to have thinning hair during menopause. It runs in their family.
4. Stress
High stress causes hair follicles to dormant, so new hair stops growing. This leads to more hair falling out around menopause.
5. Scalp Changes
Lower estrogen makes the scalp drier, flakier, and more sensitive. This can block healthy hair growth.
6. Nutrient deficiency
Menopause can lead to lower iron, zinc, vitamin D, and protein. Lack of these nutrients can weaken hair and cause loss.
We All Want to Live With Healthy Hair. Will Hair Loss from Menopause Grow Back?
Yes, in many cases, hair loss from menopause can grow back. Hair loss during menopause is often temporary and related to hormonal changes. As hormone levels stabilize, the hair growth cycle can improve, leading to regrowth of hair. However, the regrowth process may take time and vary among individuals. It's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, seek professional advice, and be patient as you give your hair a chance to recover and potentially grow back.
Replacement hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that some women take during menopause might help. They aren’t necessarily hair regrowth treatments, but they can alleviate many menopausal symptoms. There are both pros and cons of taking hormones and the decision should be made taking medical history into account. So, be sure to discuss this thoroughly with your doctor. If it is recommended that you increase your DHT levels, think twice because it can actually cause increased hair loss.
One of the most effective hair regrowth treatments is low-level laser therapy, and it applies to menopausal hair loss too. It’s a natural solution that won’t cause any side effects like oral medications and you can expect a pretty high hair count increase (up to 30%) after just a few months of home hair laser treatments.
Just make sure to use a high-quality device that’s recommended by physicians, like the Theradome PRO LH80, a cordless, wearable, and hands-free device that is recommended by doctors but used at home. Find out more about Theradome.
How to Prevent Hair Loss After Menopause?
The good news is that you can do something about menopause hair loss, regardless of which transition(menopause or pre-menopause). For the best results, follow this checklist:
- Pay attention to early signs of thinning. The sooner you treat it, the better the results will be.
- Take supplements such as zinc, selenium, and biotin to keep your hair healthy from both inside and outside.
- Make sure that you are getting all the right nutrients from your diet.
- Keratin is the type of protein that makes up your health hair, skin, and nails. Also, it is made up of amino acids, which your body gets from high protein foods such as red meat, beans, fish, eggs, asparagus, kale, and milk.
- Be proactive and start low-level laser therapy before you actually reach menopause to boost your natural hair growth cycle.
- If you’ve already entered menopause, incorporate these treatments into your beauty regimen at least twice a week.
- Keep track of your hair growth progress and take weekly progress photos. You look at yourself in the mirror every day, so improvements can be hard to notice sometimes.
- Don’t assume menopause is the problem. There are a thousand and one causes of hair loss in women. You need to make sure you’re perfectly healthy.
What Vitamins Are Good for Hair Loss During Menopause?
Several vitamins and minerals are crucial in promoting hair health and combating menopausal hair loss. Here are some vitamins that can help with hair loss during menopause:
Biotin
Biotin is essential for hair growth and overall hair health. It helps strengthen the hair shaft, promotes hair growth, and prevents hair breakage. Good food sources of biotin include eggs, nuts, seeds, and leafy greens.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D helps create new hair follicles and growth cycles. It helps maintain healthy hair follicles and may reduce hair shedding. Natural sources of vitamin D include sunlight exposure, fatty fish (such as salmon and mackerel), fortified dairy products, and egg yolks.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps improve blood circulation to the scalp, promoting hair growth. It also protects the hair follicles from oxidative stress.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, which supports hair structure and strength. Vitamin C is crucial for collagen synthesis, which supports hair structure and strength. It also aids in absorbing iron, a mineral important for hair health.
Iron
Iron deficiency is a common cause of hair loss during menopause. Adequate iron levels are essential for proper hair growth and preventing hair loss.
Conclusion
Don’t forget that hormone imbalance isn't the only cause of hair loss during menopause. Female hair loss can occur for a range of reasons. These include genetics, stress, reactions to medications, excessive blow-drying or brushing and more can cause bald spots. However, whatever the cause, it's nice to know that you can restore hair growth by using the Theradome PRO LH80 or Theradome EVO LH40.
