It is high time we raise awareness of changes that women undergo around menopause, have an open discussion about the help available, and celebrate women’s health. One such significant change is hair loss.
What happens to your body before and after Menopause
Menopause is a natural process. The average age for a woman undergoing menopause is 45-55 years but many can experience early as well. This may happen for various reasons like genetics.
Pre-menopause is the time your hormones change over many months or years before it happens. Many women experience symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycle, difficulty in concentrating, mood swings, sleep disorders, changes in sexual function and so on. The levels of your main female sex hormone i.e oestrogen drop, and you may start noticing changes in your hair growth. Menopause happens once you have 12 continuous months without menstruating. Post-menopause is the period after that.
Types Of Hair Loss During Menopause
Hair loss can be due to many reasons, often due to a combination of several factors. However, there are some types of hair loss commonly seen during menopause as follows –
- Female Pattern Hair Loss
The most common type of hair loss is Female Pattern Hair Loss or Androgenic Alopecia. This is a genetic type of hair loss in women and any hormonal change could influence this condition.
Women have both male and female sex hormones. Both these hormone are present in the hair follicles and influence how fast or thick the hair grows. Drop in oestrogen during menopause alters the ratio between male and female sex hormones in the follicles. It becomes easier for the male hormones to impact the hair follicles, depending on where they are located in the body. For example, you could have more hair growth on your face and more hair loss on your scalp.
The most potent male hormone affecting hair is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). It is converted from testosterone in the presence of the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. DHT can cause hair loss in individuals genetically predisposed to it, and the hormone changes that naturally occur during menopause aggravates this process. As a result, the hair follicles around the hairline and the top of the scalp become smaller and weaker over time. Eventually, some follicles may be completely lost.
- Telogen Effluvium
Oestrogen stimulates hair growth. A common example of this is pregnancy. During pregnancy, oestrogen raises and this results in hair growth. On the other hand, the drastic drop in oestrogen during menopause often result in hair loss.
The hair follicle changes its hair cycle and stays in its actively growing phase, called the anagen phase, for much shorter. The follicle may also remain in its resting phase, also called the telogen phase, for longer.
Telogen effluvium disturbs the normal hair growth cycle which is why when it happens, it feels like a significant amount of hair is lost over a short period of time. This type of hair loss is reversible and can recover on its own, especially as the hormones stabilise post-menopause. However, telogen effluvium can also be aggravated by a number of other factors such as stress, dietary disorders and some medical conditions. It is therefore important to discuss all these factors with a hair loss specialist.
- Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia
Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia (FFA) is also known as scarring alopecia. It causes inflammation in the hair follicles, gradually destroying them and replacing them with a scar tissue. It is a permanent condition and can affect the hairline margins, as well as the eyebrows. FFA is still a poorly understood condition. It is an autoimmune disorder, not necessarily caused by menopause. It is possible to have FFA before having menopause. However, this condition is mostly seen in post-menopausal women.
How to treat hair loss during Menopause
If you notice any signs of hair loss, it is always important to consult with a hair growth specialist. There are many types of hair loss, not all of them are solely caused by menopause but may be aggravated by it. A thorough consultation is therefore important to get comprehensive advice and a treatment plan. At your end, take following actions anyhow –
- Eat the right diet
A healthy balanced diet provides necessary nutrients for healthy hair. If you are suspecting any vitamin or mineral deficiency, get that inspected by a GP. Evolved Hair asks that all women bring a blood test to their consultation so that we can determine whether there are any nutritional or hormonal factors that could be contributing to their hair loss.
- Reduce stress
It might be easier said than done, but getting plenty of rest, regular sleep and managing stress are all essential. Make yourself happy – socialise, read, meditate, exercising or simply rest. 😊
- Stay hydrated
Drink plenty of water and use hydrating hair products.
- Adopt the right hair style
Use a heat protector when drying your hair and don’t use strong heat such as hair straighteners on a regular basis. Wearing tight hairstyles such as tight ponytails and braids should be avoided.
Speak with a Hair Loss Specialist
If you suffer from hair loss, consult with a hair growth specialist at the soonest. There are a variety of treatments available. Minoxidil is often used in this case because this is the only FDA approved treatment for female pattern hair loss. Minoxidil is a vasodilator that increases blood circulation which increases the nutrients delivered to the hair follicles, and helps them stay in their growing phase for longer, resulting in the prevention of female hair loss. For those who want to restore hair, there are non-surgical and Hair Loss During Menopausesurgical options such as PRP hair Treatment, Hair Mesotherapy and Hair Transplant.
If you are worried about hair loss you can arrange a free consultation in our South Perth clinic with a hair loss expert.
