Menopause – the time when women experience extreme hormonal changes during their late 40s or early 50s. It’s a natural biological process that every woman goes through.
The body goes through various physical changes and women may often experience symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. But that’s not the end of the list.
Menopause is something that can affect a woman’s hair as well. Unlike men, women may experience overall hair thinning rather than those noticeable bald spots. A woman may lose large clumps of hair while taking a shower or while combing.
Menopausal hair loss can hurt a woman’s self-esteem and make her lose confidence. The good news is – menopausal hair loss can be reversed. After all, it isn’t genetic. Hair loss occurring because of hormonal imbalances can be treated and improved hair quality can be achieved. If a woman is entering her years of perimenopause, the first thing she should do is get her hormone levels checked. But obviously, it’s not just the hormones that are to be blamed during this period. High levels of stress, existing health conditions, and nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to hair loss. Let’s see what actually happens during menopause that leads to hair loss.
Hormones and Your Hair – The Connection:
Menopausal hair loss is directly related to the decreased production of female hormones – estrogen and progesterone.
As a woman ages, she has fewer eggs available to mature and be released by the ovaries. As a result, ovaries begin to decrease the levels of estrogen that are normally produced in the body. These two hormones are responsible for helping hair grow faster and stay on the head for longer periods of time. A sudden dip in these hormones leads to a slower rate of hair growth and results in overall thinning. As the levels of these hormones decrease, the production of male hormones (androgens) in the body increases. Androgens cause the hair follicles to shrink over time and lead to hair loss. In some menopausal women, androgens can cause increased facial hair growth. This is the reason why some women develop facial peach fuzz and small hairs on their chin during menopause.
Hair loss experts at Hisblue suggest reaching out to a medical professional as soon as you notice a change in your hair. Your doctor may run a diagnosis to get to the root of the problem. They may run certain blood tests and may check for healthy levels of iron and other vitamins. To rule out other causes, you will be asked about your medical history in detail. If you experience symptoms such as irregular periods, facial hair growth, or new periods of acne, you may be showing signs of hormonal imbalance and would be tested for that too.
It’s normal to feel sad when you start losing those beautiful strands. More so because we live in an era where our appearances are exposed to judgment. However, you should know that menopausal hair loss isn’t life-threatening or a permanent condition. There are plenty of options to get rid of this problem and make you feel comfortable.
Also Read: 7 Steps to Longer and Healthier Hair
Preventing Menopausal Hair Loss:
Here are a few tips that can help you keep those locks healthy and strong during menopause.
#1 – Manage Your Stress Levels:
This goes without a doubt that stress is one of the major contributing factors to hair loss. It’s important to keep a check on your stress levels to prevent a hormonal imbalance. High levels of stress can reduce the production of estrogen and affect your brain chemistry – causing mood swings, anxiety, and depression. Managing stress is so important for achieving healthy hair. Try doing yoga or practice deep-breathing techniques such as meditation. Meditation helps to reduce stress levels by keeping you involved in the present moment. Even exercise can help reduce stress and clear your mind.
#2 – Stay Hydrated:
Keeping yourself hydrated is important for the body to function properly. During menopause, the appearance of skin and hair changes. The skin becomes dryer and thinner as women age. While dry skin can be treated with the help of topical lotions, the easiest option to combat this problem is by drinking plenty of water. Water also helps in removing toxins and other waste products from the body. Dehydration affects the quality of your hair. So, make sure you aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day.
#3 – Exercise:
Getting regular exercise is vital for our overall well-being. Regular exercise decreases the chances of heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes. The symptoms that occur during menopause such as mood swings, insomnia, and weight gain can be prevented by exercising regularly. Exercise also promotes blood circulation throughout the body, and that includes hair follicles as well. Whatever you feel like doing – whether going out for a walk, a run, or hitting the gym, choose whatever works best for you.
Also Read: The Must Use Functional Fitness Exercises & Practices
#4 – Watch Your Diet:
At the time of menopause, your nutritional needs skyrocket. Getting a well-balanced diet that consists of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help in eliminating those nutritional deficiencies that may be causing hair loss. Consider adding mono-saturated oils such as olive oil and sesame oil into your diet. Furthermore, you should avoid eating fatty foods and those high in sugars.
Try to avoid foods and beverages that may trigger menopausal symptoms. These include alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.
Our hair is made of protein. Therefore, getting plenty of proteins is essential for maintaining hair health. Sources of protein include eggs, lean meats, legumes, and low-fat cheese.
#5 – Talk to Your Doctor:
The best option to prevent hair loss is by talking to a medical professional. Your doctor can help identify the root cause of hair loss and provide a suitable treatment plan for you. They may run various blood tests to rule out certain health conditions that may be causing the problem. If your blood tests come out to be normal, your doctor may prescribe Minoxidil which is an approved medication for the treatment of hair loss in women. It comes in the form of a topical solution that can be applied directly to the scalp and in the form of oral tablets. There are certain medications that can cause hair loss. Therefore, you should let your doctor know about all the medications you take.
Some doctors even prescribe Finpecia 1 mg for the treatment of hair loss in women. While it has been approved for use in men, doctors think that it can help with female pattern hair loss too.
Also Read: 10 Tips To Heel Incontinence
#6 – Stay Away from Harmful Hair Styling Products:
Using chemical bleaches, blow hair dryers, and hair straighteners can weaken your hair follicles at the roots and lead to hair loss. Even wearing tight hairstyles that keep pulling your hair constantly can damage the hair follicles. Therefore, it’s better to stay away from such products and hairstyles that can lead to hair loss. If you want to color your hair, use all-natural hair color and use nourishing conditioners to keep your scalp healthy whenever you wash your hair.
Menopausal hair loss may seem like an unpleasant situation. Although unavoidable, it is still treatable.
