Introduction: Navigating Hair Loss During Menopause
Hair loss at any age can be deeply distressing. During the menopause it can really affect confidence, making you self-conscious about your appearance.
This is on top of all our other symptoms, and coming to terms with menopause or ageing itself and moving into this new phase of life.
Understanding Hair Changes in Perimenopause
At perimenopause, hair can get thinner all over, grow more slowly and get drier, brittle and more coarse in texture. Some women experience worse thinning in the crown, hairline and temples (female pattern hair loss). Complete hair loss or loss in patches should always be investigated with your doctor.
Causes of Hair Loss During Menopause
Hair constantly goes through a shedding, then growing phase. Oestrogen keeps hair in the growing phase. The drop in oestrogen levels can also cause a higher ratio of Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that interferes with hair growth. However, low oestrogen levels are not the only cause of hair loss: there is also ageing, genetics, stress, autoimmune conditions, thyroid and iron levels, recent covid infections, use of excessive heat on the hair and certain medications.
Effective Strategies to Combat Hair Loss
Some tips that may help:
- Consider blood tests to check thyroid and iron levels.
- Review your diet: are you getting enough nutrients?
- Consider HRT – to increase and stabilize your oestrogen levels
- Review other medication with your GP in case hair loss is a side effect.
- Reduce stress- easy to say and hard to do! Try exercise, meditation, or yoga. Anything that quiets your mind can make a big difference.
- Use hair products free from parabens, chemicals or sulphates. Avoid excess heat on hair.
Medical and Alternative Treatments for Hair Regrowth
For female pattern hair loss – Minoxidil lotion can help (Regaine for women) – note it can initially cause more shedding, but it does grow back. It works for as long as you use the product.
Low energy laser therapy, and Platelet-rich plasma are private treatments which may, or may not work.
Biotin is a common supplement that is touted to promote healthy hair growth. But as to whether it prevents hair loss is still debatable. Try to get it from natural sources such as meat, eggs, fish, nuts and vegetables.
Let us know what tools you use to manage hair loss.