Hair Loss Doesnt Just Happen To Men
Everyone naturally loses some hair. Itâs a common belief that hair loss is in the domain of men, but it happens to women too, and at nearly the same rate. In fact, women in their 50âs and 60âs are just as likely to experience hair loss or thinning hair men are! Because we all lose fifty to one hundred strands of hair each day, itâs common for women not to recognize female hair loss until itâs already advancing.
The patterns of hair loss and thinning do tend to differ in women from the way that they show up in men. Womenâs hair tends to thin over time starting near the top of the head. Compare that to men, who generally find their hair than receding from the hairline. Thatâs not a hard and fast rule, but it is a general pattern.
Hair loss in women almost always derives from one of the following factors:
- Medication
- Hormonal imbalance
No matter what the reason for hair loss in women, the important thing to know is that there are treatment options available. Women often experience hair loss due to a lack of estrogen for a wide variety of reasons.
Hormone Replacement Therapy and Hair Loss Treatment for Women
The good news for women is that there are treatment options for thinning hair or hair loss. Some of them are simple solutions and can be done at home. Others require the aid of a medical professional. The critical thing to remember is that there is hope for women with thinning hair!
Can A Better Diet Slow Down Hair Loss
Itâs understandable to want more affordable and simple solutions to stave off hair loss. While a good diet wonât do much against the onset of a genetic predisposition toward male pattern baldness, you can certainly make the impact less severe.
A balanced diet is essential to keep your bodily functions running smoothly. Missing out on your leafy greens or failing to hydrate adequately will do more than affect your hair growth: youâll affect your sleep patterns, mood, and bo wel movements. Foods associated with healthy hair are beans and fatty fish like salmon. You should also eat deep green vegetables like:
- Kale
- Spinach
- Broccoli
âIf you donât qualify for testosterone replacement therapy, you may wish to explore natural ways to raise testosterone. Unfortunately, proven natural testosterone boosters are few and far between, says Dr. Diamandis, although there are lifestyle practices you can adopt that will bring benefits whether youâre low on testosterone or not.â
A healthy head of hair needs plenty of biotin and omega-3 fatty acids. Itâs not just your follicles youâre taking care of, but the natural layer of oil on your scalp.
Despite how it may appear, you have options when it comes to addressing and reversing male pattern baldness.
Pharmacodynamics Of Combined Estrogen And Progestogen Therapies
The interplay of estrogens and progestogens in combined hormonal therapies is complex.
Both estrogen and progestins have antigonadotropic activity by providing negative feedback on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis and thereby decreasing endogenous production of androgens and estrogens .
The androgenic activity of some progestogens may be counteracted by the concomitant activation of ERs. Ethinyl estradiol/estrogen can increase the levels of SHBG which binds testosterone and therefore limits the amount of free, unbound hormone that is available to exert androgenic effects . Estrogen also inhibits 5-reductase, decreasing the conversion of testosterone to the more potent DHT . Some authorities assert that regardless of the androgenic properties of the particular progestin, the net effect of all combination oral contraceptives is antiandrogenic when they contain ethinyl estradiol . Some COCs have been FDA-approved for the treatment of acne based on their antiandrogenic effects, and they include: ethinyl estradiol/norgestimate, ethinyl estradiol/norethindrone acetate/ferrous fumarate, ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone and ethinyl estradiol/drospirenone/levomefolate .
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First Things First What Is Hrt
HRT is a treatment offered to women suffering with menopause or perimenopause. It works by reintroducing hormones into the body that are lost during menopause and produce the symptoms.
The major hormones utilised in hormone replacement treatment are oestrogen and progesterone, as it is the decrease in their levels in the body that causes menopausal symptoms. Weight gain, hair loss, hot flashes, a decrease of sexual drive and sleeplessness are all frequent symptoms that occur during menopause.
Hormone replacement treatment aims to boost the amounts of these specific hormones in the body by medical means, therefore lowering and, in some cases, eradicating these troubling and unpleasant symptoms.
As technology has advanced in the field, there are now other treatment options available that are more tailored to those suffering with menopause, perimenopause and andropause such as bioidentical hormone replacement therapy.
What Is Bioidentical Hormone Therapy
Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy is a term used to describe the use of hormones that, on a molecular level, are identical to endogenous hormones. The specific hormones that are used in bioidentical hormone therapy vary, but can include estrone, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone , and estriol.
BHRT is almost solely practiced in the U.S. and is considered a form of alternative medicine. Not only are bioidentical hormones promoted to fight menopausal symptoms, but also as a treatment that can reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
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Clinical Evaluation Talk To Your Doctor
A laboratory workup for hair loss is commonly performed. Additional questions that you may be asked to help narrow down differential diagnosis are :
- When did the hair loss start? A sudden onset of hair loss may be suggestive of a disruption of the hair cycle.
- Where is the hair loss most prominent? Hair loss can be patchy, diffuse or patterned. Diffuse shedding may indicate disruption of the hair cycle, while patterned thinning could be attributed to hormonal dysregulation.
- What is the normal hair care routine? Certain hair care practices can have a tremendous impact on the loss of hair health.
With proper evaluation and appropriate testing for hormonal imbalances or nutritional deficiencies, help is on the way!
How To Hide Thinning Hair After Menopause
If hair continues to thin after menopause and natural treatments have been ineffective, there are things that can help camouflage this issue. Some hair stylists will suggest shortening the length of hair. This adds volume and reduces the weight of hair. It can also help hide problem spots.
Some more permanent but also costly options include topical hair growth products, hair extensions, wigs, surgical hair transplants, and low-level laser scalp treatments.
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How Can Thinning Hair Affect Me
While thinning hair itself doesnt usually affect your physical health directly, there are many ways hair loss can negatively impact your well-being. One study showed that 55% of women who were experiencing some form of hair loss also experienced symptoms of depression. In this same study, about 89% of those women noticed improvements in their depressive symptoms after receiving treatment for hair loss. Many women notice they have lower self-esteem, confidence, and negative body image after experiencing hair loss.
The problem with hair loss during menopause is that it doesnt just signal hormone imbalances or extra stress, it can also cause negative consequences for your mental, emotional, and social health. Many women notice that theyre less likely to engage in social activities if they experience menopausal hair loss. They may also feel anxiety and stress about their hair. Over time, this can also affect your overall well-being and quality of life. Therefore, if youre experiencing thinning hair, its important to talk to your doctor. If youre experiencing other symptoms as well, our provider may recommend hormone replacement treatment.
What Happens If You Stop Using Hrt
Many women are concerned that if they stop taking hormone replacement medication, their menopausal symptoms may return, along with the indications of ageing. It is worth noting that HRT or BHRT should only be used as long as medically advised.
The good news is that once therapy finishes, youre unlikely to have a recurrence of menopausal symptoms, and youre also unlikely to rapidly age. Most physicians also advise that therapy be stopped gradually rather than suddenly.
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How Common Is Female Hair Loss
Just like male hair loss, female hair loss becomes more common with age. Studies show that only 12% of women between the ages of 20 and 29 show some degree of hair loss, from loss around the hairline or temples to diffuse, overall thinning.
On the other hand, women aged 80 and up have a more than 60% chance of experiencing some degree of hormonal hair loss. Because hormonal hair loss is partly caused by a genetic sensitivity to DHT, your risk of hair loss could be higher if your mother, siblings or other female relatives have hair loss.
If youre concerned about hair loss, its important to take action quickly. Because hair loss is gradual and affected by DHT, acting quickly allows you to minimize hair loss and maintain as much of your hair as possible.
How To Treat Low Estrogen Hair Loss
Since several health issues can cause low estrogen, theres no one-size-fits-all medication that can treat low estrogen hair loss.
If your estrogen levels are low, your healthcare provider may suggest using medication to boost your bodys estrogen production. You may also benefit from treatments designed to improve hair growth and promote healthier hair.
Weve listed the most effective treatment options for estrogen-related hair loss below, along with information on how each treatment works
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Menopausal Hair Loss: Is It Reversible
Menopause is a time of extreme hormonal changes that typically occurs around the late 40s and early 50s. After menopause, many different physical symptoms can appear, including menopausal hair loss. These symptoms can also include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, insomnia, and vaginal dryness.
Many people want to know if hormonal hair loss can be reversed. The answer is yes! Fortunately, unlike genetic hair loss, most hair loss caused by hormonal imbalances is reversible.
Is Hair Loss A Sign Of Menopause
Menopause when you stop having periods is a natural part of ageing. But as your hormones change and your levels of oestrogen drop, youll notice physical changes and symptoms.
Hair loss or thinning can be one of these symptoms, and is more common than you might think. Read on to learn why this can happen during the perimenopause and menopause, and what treatments are available for this type of hormonal hair loss.
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Hair Loss With Biote Pellets
I have been holding out all hope that this product would work for me because of the added energy, increased muscle mass, extra energy and increased libido. I was in perfect health. All labs were normal. I was using Climara pro patches and had done so for a few years and they worked really well for me. Because of the pellets being “natural,” I decided to try them. After the first insertion, I had to go back for an adjustment. Everything seemed to be fine except for a low Vitamin D. About three weeks after my second insertion, I began losing my hair rapidly and having borderline hypothyroidism. I am at 3.0 and normal thyroid is 3.5. Now I experience constipation from taking Nature-throid 16.25 mg. This is sickening to me. I had gorgeous hair. It was full and thick. I have lost a fourth of it and my hair line is receding on the sides and am losing all over at the roots. Is it going to stop thinning? Will it grow back? I hate this is happening because I like the way I feel and look except for the noted side effects. Please advise.
How Hormone Replacement Therapy Can Stop And Reverse Hair Loss
Hair thinning is one of the most natural things that happens to the body. In a regular day, you lose 50 to 100 older hairs that are constantly being replaced by new hair. There are about 100,000 hairs growing out of your scalp at any given time.
But as you age, hair that is lost does not always get replaced by new hair growth.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, nearly half of all male and female Americans will begin showing signs of baldness by age 40.
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Male Pattern Baldness And Hormones
Hair loss has four main factors behind it, namely hormone levels, genes, age and stress. Lifestyle, such as diet, environment, sleep patterns, can also contribute to hair loss. Male pattern baldness is often caused by genetic factors and in such cases it is called androgenic alopecia or androgenetic alopecia.
Hair loss can also be a sign of andropause when caused by age hormone production drops. Decreased testosterone can lead to hair loss and also growth of hair in other parts of the body such as the ears. Moreover, hormones such as DHT or dihydrotestosterone, a byproduct of testosterone, also shrinks hair follicles and when DHT is suppressed follicles can continue functioning normally.
Can Low Estrogen Cause Hair Loss
Estrogen is one of several essential sex hormones in your body. During puberty, it plays a major role in starting your menstrual cycle and defining your female physical features.
Throughout your life, estrogen is responsible for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, keeping your bones strong and healthy and affecting certain aspects of your brain function.
Although the link between estrogen and hair health isnt completely understood, experts believe that these hormone levels do play a protective role against hair loss.
This is because most research shows that women with low levels of estrogen are more likely to develop female pattern hair loss as a result of the hormonal imbalance.
Female pattern hair loss is the womens equivalent of male pattern baldness . Its caused by a combination of hormonal and genetic factors.
Unlike male pattern baldness, which usually causes a receding hairline or bald spot around the crown, female pattern hair loss generally causes your hair to thin around your part line .
Over time, this type of hair loss can become more severe until the hair on the top of your scalp has an almost see-through appearance.
When we talk androgenetic alopecia, were usually talking about men. But, believe it or not, female hair loss loss is quite common in women, especially as we age. In fact, research shows that around 21 million women in the United States alone show some degree of female hair loss.
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Is Something Wrong
Most women, who notice hair loss around the time of the menopause, do not have anything medically wrong. Your doctor may ask you if there were any triggers for the hair loss, such as dietary deficiencies, stressful events or illness. You will be asked about your medical history to rule out other causes and might be tested for conditions such as anaemia, low ferritin, thyroid dysfunction, raised testosterone levels or skin disorders. If you show signs of hormonal imbalance, such as irregular periods, facial hair growth or new episodes of acne, this might be tested too.