Nonpharmaceutical Treatments For Hair Loss
Although there is no miracle cure, says Bruce, other options that can help with FPHL include:
- Platelet rich plasma injection is a procedure in which the patients blood is drawn and the blood is spun in a centrifuge so that the platelets are concentrated then they are injected into the scalp, says Bruce. The theory is that the platelets have growth factors and they will stimulate hair growth, she says.
- Low level light lasers These laser combs, helmets, and other devices can be used at home without a prescription. The laser light has been shown to stimulate hair growth in a few studies, according to the AAD.
- Supplements Ablon recently completed a study looking at a nutraceutical supplement, Nutrafol Womens Balance Capsules, which contain bioactive compounds derived from food sources, including curcumin, ashwagandha, saw palmetto, and tocopherol. The six-month results were published in the January 2021 issue of the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, and the 12-month results will be released shortly, says Ablon. Researchers compared results at 6 months and 12 months of treatment and found that mean total hair counts increased significantly and progressively. Global hair quality measures significantly improved, by 40 percent, with few or no side effects, along with a decrease in hair shedding, according to the authors. Ablon received a research grant and financial support from Nutraceutical Wellness Inc., the manufacturer of the supplement.
Can Menopause Cause Hair Loss We Asked Physicians
In the years preceding menopause, a female’s hormones go through fluctuations that can affect everything from her mood to her skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, these changes can occur in your 30s, but for most, they begin to happen around their 40s and early 50s. Whenever they do start, it’s important to remember that the menopausal transition is totally natural and not to be feared. Those with female bodies do, however, require support to navigate this time and figure out what’s happening internally . One concern for those who experience menopause is hair loss, which is associated with a decline of certain hormones.
Ahead, a gynecologist, naturopath, and dermatologist explain menopausal hair loss and offer recommendations on how to manage it.
Meet the Expert
- Kate Denniston, ND, is a licensed naturopathic doctor, trained in both conventional and alternative medicine. She specializes in helping women optimize their hormonal health and practices at Los Angeles Integrated Health.
- Lavanya Krishnan, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical and cosmetic dermatology and is the founder of Arya Derm in San Francisco.
- Nicole Williams, MD, FACOG, FACS is a board-certified gynecologist and founder of The Gynecology Institute of Chicago. She specializes in fibroids, minimally invasive hysterectomy, pelvic/sexual pain, heavy bleeding, menopause, and urinary incontinence.
Food Sources That Promote Hair Growth
According to Dr. Josh Axe, whole foods and a nutrient-rich diet is important in healthy hair growth. Some of the foods that help you prevent hair loss include:
- Organic food although organic food can be pricey, it will give you more health benefits than commercialized goods and products. They are free from chemicals as well, ensuring that you dont bring any poison to your body. Aside from this, organic foods can help prevent estrogen dominance!
- Pumpkin seeds Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc which is good for hair growth. Many studies have also shown that theres a link between zinc deficiency and hypothyroidism which causes hair loss.
- Green tea Green tea is not only useful in weight loss, it is also effective in preventing hair loss. It promotes detoxification, ridding the body of toxins and encouraging hair growth. It stops testosterone from being converting to dihydrotestosterone , which greatly damages hair follicles.
- SuperfoodsChia, flaxand hemp seeds are rich in fiber and healthy fats which can help in hair growth.
- Bone Broth Protein is very important because our hair is made of keratin. Bone broth is rich in protein, collagen and amino acids.
- Biotin-rich foods Biotin or vitamin B7 is a water-soluble vitamin in the body which is essential in healthy hair growth. It strengthens our hair strands preventing hair damage. Nutritional yeast and egg yolks are examples of biotin rich foods.
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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.
Symptoms Of Menopause And Perimenopause
Most women will experience any or all of the following symptoms once they start to enter perimenopause some symptoms will get progressively worse during the last stages of perimenopause and the first stages of menopause:
- Insomnia
- Heavier bleeding during periods
- Spotting in between periods
Many women will also experience some hair loss during this time. This hair loss might be along the temples and front of the head, similar to male pattern baldness, or it might occur along the entire scalp. In rare cases, a woman might actually lose clumps of hair in the shower or while brushing her hair.
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Preventing Hair Loss: Over
The simplest solution is to start using 5 percent minoxidil, which is available without a prescription, says Bruce. The trade name is Rogaine, but there are also generic versions available. This treatment is effective in about two out of three people who use it, she says.
Compliance can be an issue, because you have to use it every day to retain the benefits, she says. There are medications marketed to both men and women, but women can use the mens formulation and it is often less expensive.
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Oral prescription drugs have been shown to help with female pattern hair loss. These drugs have been approved for use in other conditions, but are used by doctors off-label for FPHL, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association .
Spironolactone, a blood pressure medication that is a diuretic can prevent hair loss from worsening and restore hair growth, according to the AAD. Other drugs block the effects of circulating androgens or lower androgen levels.
These oral medications should not be used by women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, according to the AAD.
Understanding Hair Loss During Menopause
In women, hair loss during menopause is caused by unstable estrogen levels in the body. Estrogen plays a prominent role in hair growth by helping hair grow faster and stay on the head longer. When estrogen levels are lower during menopause, it can lead to thinner hair and hair loss. Hair can also become flat, loose its shine, or break easily.
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Are There Complications/side Effects Of Treatment
Minoxidil may irritate your scalp and cause dryness, scaling, itching and/or redness. See your dermatologist if this happens.
With Minoxidil you might also see hair growing in other places other than your scalp . Wash your face after you apply Minoxidil and make sure you avoid other areas when you apply it.
Could Menopause Be Affecting Your Hair
As if the mood swings and hot flushes arent enough, hair loss during menopause can be a common but troubling symptom to add to the list of changes your body is going though.
Menopause hair loss can be troubling for many women.
Hair loss during menopause is a big issue for some women, for others its dry and damaged-looking hair. Both equally troubling and problematic when you see your luscious locks disappear as if before your eyes.
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The Typical Hair Loss Experience
On average, a person loses around 100-200 hairs a day to allow for new hair growth. During menopause, when your hair is breaking, it may seem that you are losing more than the average amount. In reality, however, your hair is not falling out but breaking somewhere along the hair strand itself, giving the appearance of thinner hair.
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.
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The Ultimate Guide To Resolve Hair Loss Issues During Menopause
Although a lot of people do not automatically think of hair loss as a menopausal symptom, it is widely recognized that a 40% of women experience hair thinning or hair loss to some degree around the time of menopause .
While women accept that menopause is a natural and unavoidable stage of womanhood, coming to grips with its effects, especially with female hair loss due to menopause, can be very difficult. Often, hair loss is one of the first and more depressing symptoms of menopause that a woman notices and it can have a profound effect on her sense of femininity, sexuality and self-confidence.
As women near menopause, hair growth slows, and their hair may lose its healthy, youthful, shine, and their hair texture changes.
Beginning at perimenopause in their 40s, women may see the effects of menopause on hair, including thinning hair, dull, graying and hair loss. Experts previously thought hair loss due to menopause was caused by low estrogen levels. But new research shows that hair loss in older women is likely due to lower levels of both estrogen and progesterone, causing hair follicles to thin and hair to fall out.
The Psychological Effects Of Menopause Hair Loss
The fact that hair loss is a widespread problem that you share with many other women doesn’t make it easier to manage. Several studies have shown that the emotional and psychological effects of hair loss are more severe in women than in men, leading to poor self-esteem, social anxiety and even lower job performance.
According to psychologist Dr. Ana Fonseca, For women, self-esteem and self-concept are the reflex of social influence, which can act as a source of conflict and misfit, with repercussions on body image and health. The relationship with the hair often includes anxiety about its general condition, if its thinning and falling out, or going gray. Hair is valued in connection with beauty and femininity, sexuality and attractiveness, so when losing it, people are affected negatively in their self-esteem and self-image. Hair loss threatens our vanity, how much we value ourselves and is usually seen as unattractive and often associated with being unwell or aging. It is recognized that there are also emotional factors associated with hair loss so it can mean psychological discomfort.
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Is Hair Loss On Arms And Legs Normal During Menopause
Menopause and perimenopause can cause many unpleasant symptoms for women, including hot flashes, insomnia, irritability, and hair loss. While these symptoms dont necessarily indicate a serious health condition, they can be difficult for women to deal with on a daily basis, and hair loss especially can affect a womans overall self-esteem, making her downright self-conscious during this time.
The good news for women is that many symptoms of menopause are quite manageable, and there are many supplements, dietary changes, and treatments available to address these symptoms. To determine your best option for treating hair loss and other symptoms of menopause, note a bit more about what happens to the body during this time, and be sure to discuss any health concerns you have with your doctor or healthcare professional.
The Role Of Estrogen And Progesterone In The Reproductive Cycle
Estrogen is the female hormone largely responsible for your ovarys releasing of an egg cell during ovulation. Progesterone, another female hormone, follows suit and prepares the uterine lining for possible egg fertilization and pregnancy. During this stage, when the lining of the uterine wall thickens, estrogen levels are low. This prevents eggs from being untimely produced and released by your ovaries.
When fertilization occurs, progesterone will continue to support the maintenance of the uterine wall as well as the development of the placenta progesterone preserves the integrity of the uterine lining and prevents shedding during pregnancy. Estrogen, on the other hand, stimulates growth in the breasts and stimulates milk production in preparation for child birth and breast feeding.
When no fertilization occurs, progesterone level drops and the lining of the uterine wall and the blood break down and are shed. This is the start of menstruation. At this point, the womans ovaries are gearing up for the next cycle of ovulation. At the proper time, estrogen levels will once again peak signalling the ovaries to release an egg. This, basically, is the normal reproductive cycle of a woman.
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Hormone Healing Tip : Nutrition
A lack of the right nutrients, including Vitamins A, C, D and E, Zinc, B Vitamins, Iron, Biotin, Protein and Essential Fatty Acids, may slow down hair growth or even cause hair loss. Fortunately, correcting a deficiency in any of these nutrients may help treat hair loss and promote the rate of hair growth. I formulated Daily GLOW, a first of its kind, physician formulated, whole-food based, hormone and thyroid specific multi-nutrient to provide all of the essential vitamins and minerals for healthy hair growth, and also promote the healthy production of thyroid hormone, healthy estrogen and progesterone production and metabolism, and support the adrenal glands for better stress response. Daily GLOW is probably one of the easiest ways to ensure a healthy head of hair!
The bottom line is that hormonal hair loss is a sad reality for so many women, but as you can see, there is a lot you can do to prevent and reverse it. Consider bio-identical hormone replacement, sleep support, daily nutrient support and if needed, herbs to decrease the conversion of testosterone to DHT.
Recent studies have reported that menopausal hair loss occurs in more than 50 percent of cases. Its often an unavoidable side effect of changes in hormone levels during menopause, but in most cases menopausal hair loss is not permanent.
Defining Hair Loss During Menopause
Hormonal imbalance during menopause is the most common cause of hair loss. Normally, each hair grows approximately ¼ of inch per month, and continues growing for up to six years. After the hair falls out and another grows in its place. It’s normal to lose 50-100 hairs each day. However, during menopause, you may lose more hair than usual, and it may not regrow.
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