Is menopausal hair loss permanent? If you're going through menopause and noticing more hair in your brush, you might be wondering just that.
Many women experience changes in hair thickness and health during menopause and hair loss, but the permanency of these changes can vary.
Let’s dive into what really happens to your hair during menopause and explore both the causes and what you can do about it.
Does menopause cause hair loss?
Menopause can indeed cause hair loss. A study involving around 200 postmenopausal women revealed that more than half experienced significant hair thinning and loss due to menopause. The impact extends beyond just aesthetics, with 60% of participants reporting a hit to their self-esteem correlated with the degree of hair loss.
Normally, shedding about 50 to 100 hairs a day is part of the natural hair cycle and is no cause for alarm. However, during menopause, you might see more drastic hair loss that can even lead to bald spots, particularly on the scalp's crown and along the front and temples.
This type of thinning hair isn't just confined to the head; some women notice thinner hair on their arms, legs, and other areas like the pubic region.
While this sounds daunting, the good news is there are effective ways to manage and mitigate hair loss during menopause, helping to maintain healthier hair.
Is menopausal hair loss permanent?
Menopausal hair loss usually isn't permanent. To manage it, consider making some gentle adjustments to your hair care routine. Avoiding harsh treatments and altering your styling methods can help reduce damage and promote healthier hair growth. Simple changes like these can significantly improve your hair's health during and after menopause.
What causes menopausal hair loss?
Hormonal fluctuations primarily drive hair loss in many women who experience hair loss during menopause. Here’s how it breaks down:
- Perimenopause: This phase precedes menopause, starting usually in the 40s and can last up to a decade. It's marked by notable fluctuations in hormone levels.
- Menopause: Officially diagnosed after going 12 consecutive months without menstruating, with the average onset at around 52 years in the U.S.
- Post-menopause: This phase follows menopause and lasts for the remainder of a woman’s life.
During these stages, especially perimenopause and menopause, levels of estrogen and progesterone decrease. These hormones are vital for promoting hair growth and maintaining hair density and fullness.
As they decline, hair tends to thin and grow more slowly. Additionally, this hormonal shift causes an increase in androgens, male hormones that typically exist in lower levels in women.
Increased androgens can shrink hair follicles, leading to androgenic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss.
Tips for slowing down menopausal hair loss
Here are some tips to slow down menopause hair loss:
Use Bio-Pilixin Activation Serum
If you're facing hair thinning due to menopause, Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum might be worth a try. Developed using advanced stem cell technology, this serum is designed to nurture hair follicles and boost hair growth.
It works by stimulating blood flow to the scalp, providing essential nutrients that support hair health. Clinical studies have shown impressive results, with significant reductions in hair thinning observed as early as 45 days.
Users often report seeing less hair fall during showers within just a few weeks of starting treatment. The science backs it up too, with clinical trials reporting:
- 77% experienced reduced hair loss after 45 days.
- 93% saw a clinically tested reduction in hair loss after 150 days.
- 73% observed a measurable increase in hair density after 150 days.
Moreover, Bio-Pilixin® Serum comes with a 150-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try it risk-free and see if it leads to hair regrowth and makes a difference for you.
Reduce stress
Menopause can crank up your stress levels, which doesn't help with hair loss. Managing stress is crucial not just for your mental health but also for maintaining healthy hair.
Simple practices like meditation, deep-breathing exercises, and yoga can help keep stress at bay, which may prevent stress-related hair loss in women. Also, regular physical activity, whether it's walking, cycling, or dancing, plays a key role in reducing stress.
By keeping your stress levels under control, you're also helping to rebalance your hormones, which can mitigate hair loss.
Try Minoxidil
Minoxidil, often known by the brand name Rogaine, is an over-the-counter solution that many turn to for battling female-pattern baldness.
It's available in 2% and 5% strengths and needs to be applied daily. It may take about a year of consistent use to truly judge its effectiveness.
While Minoxidil can promote new hair growth, it's important to note that any new hair can fall out if you stop the treatment.
Side effects are usually minor, like scalp dryness and irritation, but it's generally safe to use.
Eat a balanced diet
A nutrient-rich diet can make a big difference in your hair health. Proteins, healthy fats, and a good mix of vitamins and minerals all contribute to stronger hair follicles and less hair loss. Specifically, focus on:
- Protein to strengthen hair.
- Healthy fats like omega-3 and omega-6, which help protect hair.
- Vitamins A, B, C, and D, essential for healthy hair.
- Minerals like zinc and iron, which are crucial for hair growth.
Consider anti-androgens
In some cases, medications that block androgens, such as Spironolactone and Finasteride, may be prescribed to manage hair loss.
These treatments have shown promising results, with many women experiencing less hair loss or noticeable improvement.
Avoid heat styling
Lastly, be gentle with your hair. Frequent use of heat styling tools can weaken your hair, leading to breakage and more noticeable thinning.
If your hair is already fragile due to menopause, minimizing heat exposure can help maintain its condition and appearance.
Microneedling
Microneedling is gaining traction as a treatment for hair loss. This method, which creates tiny punctures in the scalp, can trigger an immune response that might promote hair growth.
Studies suggest that when used in combination with treatments like topical minoxidil, microneedling can enhance hair regrowth in terms of density, thickness, and overall quality.
Platelet-rich plasma therapy
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy involves injecting your own plasma into your scalp to promote hair growth.
This treatment is often used in conjunction with other methods for best results and can be quite costly. However, for some, PRP can be a worthwhile investment if it effectively addresses hair loss.
Hair transplants
Hair transplants may be considered for those with significant hair thinning. This surgical procedure involves moving hair from fuller areas of your scalp to those with less hair, effectively rejuvenating the hair cycle in those areas.
While effective, hair transplants are costly and time-consuming and may not be suitable for all women with hair loss. Potential side effects include swelling and tenderness, as well as risks of bleeding and infection.
Are there tests to diagnose the cause of menopausal hair loss?
Yes, healthcare providers often use blood tests to pinpoint the cause of hair loss during menopause. These tests typically measure levels of several hormones:
- Androstenedione
- DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone)
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- Prolactin
- Testosterone
Additional tests might also be conducted to exclude other causes of hair loss, ensuring a thorough assessment.
What does menopausal hair loss look like?
Menopausal hair loss often starts subtly and may not be immediately noticeable. Here are some early signs:
- Increased hair in the shower drain
- More frequent cleaning of your hairbrush
- Finding hair on your pillow, clothing, and around your home
- More common hair breakage
Over time, you might notice a wider part, a thinner ponytail, and a lackluster appearance to your hair. Thinning patches may appear on the top center of your scalp, near your forehead, or at the back of your head.
Hair loss can also affect your legs, arms, and more intimate areas, leading to reduced hair growth overall.
What medications can cause hair loss?
Certain medications might contribute to hair loss. These include:
- Drugs prescribed for thyroid issues
- Certain types of antidepressants
- Cardiovascular drugs, including anticoagulants and beta-blockers
- Anticonvulsants for epilepsy
- Immunosuppressive agents used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions
Does hair loss stop after menopause is over?
Hair loss due to hormonal changes often improves after menopause. While it's true that everyone naturally sheds between 50 to 100 hair strands daily, hormonal hair loss can decrease and hair growth can resume more normally once you've passed through the menopausal transition.
Conclusion
Navigating menopausal hair loss can feel overwhelming, but it's important to remember that it's usually not permanent, and there are many ways to manage and potentially reverse it.
From nourishing serums and stress reduction techniques to dietary changes and medical treatments, you have options to maintain and improve your hair health.
Always consult with a healthcare provider to tailor a treatment plan that's right for your specific needs and circumstances.
With the right approach and understanding, you can regain confidence in your hair and overall well-being during menopause.
References:
- https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/female-hair-loss-menopause-treatment-study-rcna16389
- https://jddonline.com/thinning-hair-through-menopause-results-of-a-first-of-its-kind-randomized-controlled-trial-on-nutraceuticals-2/
- https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2022/04000/prevalence_of_female_pattern_hair_loss_in.7.aspx
Read more:
