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What To Do For Thinning Hair Due To Menopause

Finding The Root Cause Of Hair Loss Is Important

Menopausal Hair & How I treated it! Thinning, Dry, Tangled

If youre bothered by your thinning hair or hair loss, a visit to your primary care doctor is a great place to start, says Bruce. Its likely that female pattern hair loss is probably the cause, but a clinical examination can confirm this, she says.

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If the hair loss doesnt follow the typical appearance of female pattern hair loss, your doctor will likely perform a few tests to explore potential causes.

  • A complete blood count test is used to evaluate overall health and can detect many conditions, including anemia, which can cause hair loss.
  • Thyroid function tests can reveal thyroid issues that may be related to thinning hair.
  • A dietary assessment, or a discussion of what you eat, can determine whether you have a normal healthy diet and any vitamin deficiencies.
  • Autoimmune inflammation Your doctor may investigate conditions related to inflammation in the scalp, including autoimmune diseases, which can be associated with hair loss, says Bruce.
  • A hormone test may be performed, though a hormone imbalance is rarely the culprit in hair loss, says Faubion.

What Questions Might Your Healthcare Provider Ask To Diagnose And Categorize Your Hair Loss

Your healthcare provider might ask about your habits:

  • What kinds of hair products do you use?
  • What kinds of hair styles do you wear?
  • What types of food do you eat ?
  • Do you have a habit of pulling your hair out ?

They might ask about your history:

  • Has anyone in your immediate family experienced hair loss?
  • Is there anything stressful going on in your life?
  • What medications and supplements do you take every day?
  • Has hair loss ever happened to you before?
  • What foods are in your diet?

And, they might ask about your observations:

  • How long have you been losing hair?
  • Have you been shedding more?
  • Have you noticed hair loss in places other than your scalp, like your eyebrows? Leg and arm hair?
  • Does anything worsen your hair loss?
  • Does anything improve your hair loss?
  • Have you noticed hair loss occasionally or has it been going on continuously?
  • Have you noticed if your hair growth has changed?
  • Has your hair been breaking more often?

The Scalp Produces Less Sebum

According to a study on 50 postmenopausal women, a Sebumeter used to measure the casual sebum level, and excretion rate showed a significant decline in sebum production, followed by an increase in sebum replacement time.

A lack of total sebum coverage causes the hair and the scalp to dry out faster in between washes. And when your hair is deprived of its natural oils, frizz is inevitable.

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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.

How Is Hair Loss In Women Treated What Medicines Or Supplements May Help

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Treatment depends on the cause of your hair loss.

  • In cases where the loss is due to stress or hormone changes like pregnancy, there might be no treatment needed. The hair loss will stop after a period of time.
  • In cases of hair loss being due to hair styling practices, like tight braids or ponytails or certain chemicals, treatment means not doing the things that caused the damage.
  • In cases due to nutritional deficiencies, you might be told to take supplements. For instance, you might be told to take a multivitamin and three to five milligrams of biotin daily.
  • Minoxidil is approved for treating FPHL. The 2% or 5% solution can be purchased in stores. However, you have to follow directions exactly and use the product indefinitely. Dont use this product if youre pregnant, if you plan to get pregnant, or if youre breastfeeding.
  • The HairMax Lasercomb® low light laser is approved by the US FDA to treat FPHL. Another FDA-approved laser product is the Theradome LH80 PRO® helmet and low light laser helmets and caps.

Other medications that have been studied, but not approved, for hair loss in women include:

  • Spironolactone and other anti-androgens.
  • Steroids.
  • Other light treatments.

It is important to note that premenopausal women should not take medications for hair loss treatment without using contraception. Many drugs, including minoxidil and finasteride, are not safe for pregnant women or women who want to get pregnant.

Also Check: How I Stopped My Hair Loss

Get Started Here Enter Your Email Address To Get Started

To see how I regrew my receding hairline and made my hair four times thicker, plus see more amazing before and after photos, enter your email address below. Ill send you the access details. Look out for an email from Hair Follicle Neogenesis.

You will receive an email in a few minutes containing details of how to download the instructions.

Which Type Of Hair Loss Is This

If you’re hair is thinning or falling out during peri-menopause or after menopause the first thing to figure out is – what’s causing it.

80% of the time peri-menopausal and postmenopausal thinning hair is caused by “EFFLUVIUM.” This is by far the most common type of hair loss in women, and it’s related to hormones and menopausal changes.

We’re going to dive deeply into what you can do about this type of hair loss.

But if you’re not sure, check with your doc or healthcare practitioner to rule out other less common causes of hair loss like fungal infections or a thyroid disorder.

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How Do I Know Which Hair Loss Treatment Is Best For Me

Choosing a hair loss treatment plan is a highly personal decision. When exploring your options, its best to talk with your doctor to first identify what is causing your hair loss to select the best treatment. Some people find success with home remedies or OTC hair loss treatments, and some are better candidates for prescription medications and treatments.

What Did The Study Find

Menopausal Hair Loss? Regrow Hair Before After

Of the participants, 52.2% experienced female pattern hair loss. Of those women, 73.2% had mild hair loss, 22.6% had moderate hair loss, and 4.3% had severe hair loss. Researchers found older age and higher body mass index were significantly associated with thinning hair. Additionally, the study found that 60% of participants experienced low self-esteem, and this increased with the severity of their hair loss.

Female pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss in women. Its often identified as a widening part, receding temples, or thinning hair, according to the Jessica Shepherd, M.D., board-certified OB-GYN and chief medical officer of Verywell Health.

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How Estrogen Affects Hair And Skin

If youre seeing changes in your hair and skin post-menopause, you can usually blame rapidly declining levels of the hormone estrogen.

Estrogen promotes water retention and plumpness in the skin, Dr. Williams says. When estrogen drops, you lose some of the molecules that help keep the skin moisturized. Estrogen also contributes to hair growth and fullness. Without it, your hair may become thinner.

Find A Stylist That Gets Menopause Hair

This might be a good time to go shopping for a new hairstylist if your current one isnt hitting all the targets! I suggest finding a stylist that understands how to best serve your hair during each stage of your life. As many stylists offer free consults, you have nothing to lose as you search for an artist that truly understands your hair.

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Women And Hair Loss: Coping Tips

Losing your crowning glory can be particularly difficult for women. But there are ways to cope.

Losing your hair as a woman, especially if you’re young or at a vulnerable time in your life, can badly affect your confidence.

Hair loss, known medically as alopecia, is fairly common. It’s estimated, for instance, that around 40% of women aged 70 years or over experience female-pattern baldness the most common type of hair loss, which is thought to be inherited.

How Can We Recognise Androgenic Alopecia

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Female androgenic alopecia is characterised by a diffused thinning of hair over the crown of the head. Women might notice a widening of their natural hair parting or a less full ponytail. However, if hair-loss more closely resembles male-pattern balding , this might be a sign of a different hormonal condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome . Other symptoms of PCOS include weight gain, acne, excessive facial hair growth and irregular periods.

Poor diet and iron-deficiency can also result in hair loss. The NHS advises consulting a GP if you have sudden hair loss, develop bald patches, lose hair in clumps or experience itching or burning sensations on the scalp.

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How Can You Do This

This is a very simple technique to use. Its very easy. Anyone can do it. However, it is important to use precisely the right growth factors. Some growth factors actually make hair stop growing. So Ive decided to create a clear set of instructions that anyone can follow from home to do what I have done. I call it the Hair Follicle Neogenesis Method. You can download my instructions below.

Stress Levels Hormones And Thinning Hair

It turns out high stress levels lead to high stress hormone levels, which wreak havoc with your already struggling female hormones during menopause – ending up as one of the MAJOR CAUSES of hair loss in some women during menopause.

If you’re the mellowest person on your block and just don’t tend to stress about anything – you can probably skip this section.

If stress, however, is something you feel on a regular basis – and especially if it’s become more intense during menopause – and you really want to reverse thinning hair…

Commit right now to reducing stress. I can help make it easier than you expect.

Reducing stress is a two part process.

Part 1: Yes, of course. Meditation, breathing, yoga, exercise, mindfulness, prayer, relaxation… In other words – cultivating a life, thoughts, and practices that help you let go of getting more stressed than necessary day in and day out.

Part 2: But you know what? You can meditate 3 HOURS A DAY and if your stress hormone are raging because of hormonal changes caused by menopause??? Even 3 hours a day of meditation won’t help that much.

I’ve helped SO MANY women rebalance hormones – and then all of a sudden… They could think clearly, they felt like themselves again, and everything was just more – figureoutable. And it was easier to take a few deep breaths and actually feel the stress melting away.

Here’s what it feels like to me

So YES – make stress management a priority. Do something every day to actively reduce stress levels

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What Is Female Pattern Hair Loss

The most common type of hair loss in women is called androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss . Hair follicles shrink, causing the hair to become thinner and finer, with decreased numbers of hairs overall. The hairs growing phase also gets shorter and fewer hairs are in the active growing phase.

Usually in female pattern hair loss, the frontal hairline stays about the same, but there can be a widening of the part and a central thinning of the hair, says Alison Bruce, MBChB, a dermatologist at Mayo Clinic. Dr. Bruce presented information on common causes of midlife hair loss and new therapy options at the North American Medical Society Annual Meeting in Washington, DC, held September 2225, 2021.

The Double Whammy Of Aging And Hormonal Shift

How To Avoid Thinning Hair During Menopause

Many studies have shown that hair ages just like the skin and every other part of the body. As you get older, your hair loses pigmentation, density, and the follicles shrink, reducing the hair diameter and length altogether.

All these combined causes the hair strands to develop less resistance to moisture, weather conditions, and sensitivity to chemical products making it challenging to manage and almost impossible to shield away from frizz-inducing conditions.

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How Common Is Hair Loss In Women

Many people think that hair loss only affects men. However, it is estimated that more than 50% of women will experience noticeable hair loss. The most significant cause of hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss , which affects about one-third of susceptible women, which equals out to some 30 million women in the United States.

How To Reverse Menopause Hair Loss Or Is It Thinning Hair

Is your hair thinning, or are you actually losing hair? Its a bit of both, and the terms are usually used interchangeably. An article in the Washington Post explains why: The thinning usually registers as hair loss, which is why the term is widely used. But the hair is still there, its just miniaturized thinner, shorter, unpigmented to the point of being invisible to the naked eye. Eventually at least some of it stops growing.

Ah, the cruel irony: the only part of our bodies getting thinner at menopause is sitting on the top of our heads.

Is menopausal hair loss permanent, or is there any chance of reversing our thinning hair after menopause? Because if there is, were all in.

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Menopausal Hair Loss: Tips

In the meantime, I’m washing my hair more, as recommended by Anabel, so it’s getting extra doses of conditioner and using volumising products. In addition, Anabel advises eating more complex carbohydrates, such as whole-grains, pulses and green veg, which should provide my body with the energy it needs to form hair cells. ‘When energy supplies are low, the hair is the first thing our body neglects to feed,’ says Anabel. Daily anti-androgenic scalp drops can also help.

Most importantly, I’m having fun with my hair once more. Adding curls and waves makes it look thicker and fuller and lets me feel in charge again. I’m also growing out an ill-advised fringe. My new hairdresser has recommended a bit of height at the front rather than hiding it.

Will it work? I don’t know. But whatever happens, I’m going to rock it thinning hair or not.

Is Menopausal Hair Loss Permanent

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While some men might be able to get away with a bald look, the case may not be the same for women. Menopausal hair loss doesnt have to be permanent. There are many solutions, ranging from cosmetic and easy enough for every day, like wearing wigs and taking supplements, to medical options like hair transplants, platelet-rich plasma treatments and scalp micropigmentation.

Nutrafol Women, which received Allure magazines 2018 Breakthrough Award, is a nutraceutical supplement that has been clinically shown to improve hair growth and hair quality. Nutrafol Womens Balance is formulated specifically for women facing hair issues related to perimenopause and menopause and can help return hair to its former glory with only natural ingredients. The supplements contain clinically tested, patented ingredients that address the root causes of thinning hair and boost hair growth, including Saw Palmetto, Maca, Ashwagandha, astaxanthin and other nourishing herbs and vitamins.

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Treatment For Menopause Hair Loss

Nutrients and Alternative Remedies:

Nutrients:

  • Iron, in situations where anaemia is present. Anaemia can cause hair loss.
  • Zinc and biotin are considered helpful with hair growth. A lack of these nutrients can cause brittle hair and nails.

Ginseng:Has been shown to promote hair growth in several studies, its effects on isolated human dermal papilla cells were evaluated using cytotoxicity assays, immunoblot analysis of signalling proteins, and the determination of associated growth factors.

Black Cohosh: Is thought to assist in preventing hair loss by serving as an âoestrogen bufferâ to protect hair follicles to DHT. It helps slow down the thinning process.

Aloe Vera: this works to soothe and calm a damaged scalp which may create a healthy environment for hair cells to replenish and flourish

Garlic: applying garlic gel to areas of the scalp that have experienced hair loss together with a steroid treatment has been shown to lead to more hair regrowth compared to a placebo.

Hormone Replacement TherapyBio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

If youâre noticing hair loss, that has become sudden, it is important to always consult your medical professional to ensure your health is fully assessed as in many instances, complex diagnostic testing may be required.

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