Hair is often viewed as an extension of oneself, personality, and sense of self-worth. That’s among numerous reasons why hair loss or thinning can be such a difficult and upsetting experience. And while the causes of hair loss are many, menopausal hair loss can make an already stressful life experience even more challenging. Read on to learn more about menopausal hair loss and treatment options.
What Causes Menopausal Hair Loss?
Menopause is the time that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, diagnosed after a woman goes at least 12 consecutive months without a period. While all women experience menopause at some point, age of onset and symptoms involved differ for everyone. Menopausal hair loss occurs due to the reduction in estrogen and progesterone hormone levels resulting in biological changes that affect hair thickness, rate of growth, and hair loss. This hormonal drop sparks an increase in androgens which are less common in women than men. Androgens can cause hair follicles to shrink and lead to hair loss. When androgen levels are higher than normal, some women develop excess hair on the chin while developing hair loss on the head.
During menopause, you may notice hair thinning in the following areas:
- Main area of the head
- Near the hairline
- Back of the head
- Near the crown
- Near the nape
- Widening hair part
Treatments for Menopausal Hair Loss
Menopausal hair loss may be difficult to accept and cope with, but there are a variety of treatment options that can help.
Keep stress in check to help keep hormones in balance. Try techniques such as yoga, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Exercise regularly to reduce stress and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise also helps improve sleep, sharpens cognitive abilities, aids in learning and memory, and helps maintain a healthy weight.
Maintain a healthy diet to ensure you get all the vitamins and nutrients you need, many of which are essential for hair health, like protein, omega-3 fatty acids, omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins A, B, C, and D, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, and more.
Be gentle to your hair and avoid or minimize the use of heat styling tools, harsh styling products, chemical hair treatments, and rough hair styles that put stress on the hair and scalp like tight buns and ponytails.
Choose cuts and styles that make hair loss less noticeable while adding volume. Try a shorter cut or layers for dimension or change where you normally part your hair.
When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing hair loss, menopausal or otherwise, contact your healthcare provider, dermatologist, or a licensed hair restoration export for guidance. They can determine the underlying cause of your hair thinning or loss and offer the most effective treatment options based on your specific needs.
We also encourage you to contact the hair transplant specialists at DiStefano Hair Restoration Center. Our medical team can restore lost hair for life and give you one less thing to worry about – and an important thing at that. Contact us today for a free consultation.