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Menopause and Hair Loss
Menopause, sometimes called the "change of life" is a natural, but complex phenomenon. It's normally the end of a woman's child-bearing years because it involves the gradual shut-down of her monthly menstrual cycle.
Menopause is a normal process and manageable, but it does play havoc with the hormone balance that a woman has recognized herself as "normal" ever since she had puberty. Menopause, in fact, is something like puberty in reverse. Because of the dramatic hormonal changes that result, female hair growth patterns may sometimes change along with familiar menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, thinning of the vaginal walls, decreased genital lubricity and mood swings.
One possibility is thinning hair on the head or the loss of hair.
Most women believe this is due to reduced levels of one hormone, estrogen, and it's true that a decrease in estrogen levels is probably the most salient aspect of menopause. But progesterone, estrogen's close cousin, also plays an important role. The balance of each of these powerful hormones in a menopausal woman changes dramatically along with testosterone, which despite being thought of as a male hormone, is present in all healthy women and necessary for good health.
All these changes, unfortunately, not only hair to stop growing where it had been, but to start growing where it hadn't! Specifically, a menopausal woman may notice the growth of hair on her head is less robust just as she's also discovering something entirely new and unwelcome, "peach fuzz" on her chin. But it's important to understand that these changes are normally the direct result of rebalancing hormone levels and not a symptom of any underlying disease. And most important of all, they can be managed.
Of course the first step is confirming any menopausal hair change is not actually the result of another medical condition. This means Step One is for you to visit your doctor for a thorough physical.
It also means you should examine your own good health habits. A healthy diet, regular exercise, maintaining proper weight and stress management are as important at menopause as at any other time, probably more so. There are simple vitamin deficiencies, for example, which can directly cause hair loss that menopause may mask. Fixing these may be as simple as eating more orange and yellow vegetables or taking a women's multi vitamin.
Your doctor will be able to assess your blood levels of the various hormones involved in menopause to ensure things are in good order, and can recommend medications or hormone replacement therapy as required. But it's always best to approach any new medical problem first in the context of your own management of your own good health.
So how best to treat hair loss or unwanted hair growth associated with menopause? Your doctor may prescribe hormone replacement therapy, typically estrogen if the problem is thinning hair. If this fails to stop the problem, the doctor may suggest Rogaine, a topical application that works directly to encourage new hair growth. It's important to note Rogaine is generally effective only in about 30-40% of users. Your doctor may recommend treatment alternatives.
However it is never a bad idea to take the changes wrought by menopause to take stock of your overall health. Have you found ways to manage the stress in your life? Are you taking care to get all the nutrients you need from your diet? Are you at your proper weight?
Managing your overall health, and especially improving how you manage it, can only benefit you when it comes to menopause-associated hair loss. In cases where lifestyle changes and medication still can't solve the problem, medical professionals can also recommend to women changes to their daily beauty routines as well as expert customized hairpieces if necessary.
Menopause is a major change in any woman's life, but again like puberty, it can be managed for better living.
