Article by thomas devos
It is well known that men can start losing their hair from their
early twenties onwards yet it is still thought of as uncommon
for women to loose their hair. However women can experience
sudden hair loss when approaching the menopause with as many as
forty percent of women being affected by the condition. There
are many different causes for female hair loss including
pregnancy, genetics and illness but the menopause is the time
most women experience the condition.
The Reasons
Increased hair loss and thinning hair as women approach the
menopause is due to changes in hormonal levels in the body. In
fact noticing hair loss can be one of the first signs of
approaching the menopause. It is caused in part by a drop in
estrogen (female hormones) levels produced by the ovaries,
creating an imbalance between androgen (male hormones) and
estrogen hormones. Testosterone is one of the hormones from the
androgen group and increases as the estrogen levels fall. For
men, testosterone is the hormone commonly associated with
causing male pattern hair loss and although produced in much
lower quantities in women, it creates a similar hair loss
condition. This process is started by testosterone combining
with an enzyme called Alpha5 reductase to create a substance
called dihyrotestosterone (DHT). It is the DHT which is
responsible for the hair loss. After the menopause the ovaries
may continue to produce even more androgens than estrogen and
this can result in further hair loss. It also doesn't just
affect hair on the scalp but body hair can also become thinner,
just the opposite of men who tend to get more body hair as scalp
hair thins. Some women however experience no menopausal hair
loss or excessive thinning at all, the reasons for this are not
yet fully understood.
Treatments and Advice
Many women are prescribed hormone therapy treatment (HRT) to
counter some of the more severe symptoms of the menopause such
as hot flashes, night sweats, lack of sleep, mood swings, and
sensitive skin. But HRT works by increasing the levels of
estrogen to pre-menopausal levels. HRT is therefore also an
effective hair loss treatment which reduces testosterone and DHT
allowing hair to grow back.
There is also a prescription only drug called spironolactone
that instead of raising estrogen levels, works in the opposite
way by slowing down the production of androgens (testosterone)
in the adrenal glands and ovaries. With less testosterone
produced there is less damaging DHT produced and therefore less
hair loss.
There are also a number of non drug based measures that can be
used to slow down menopausal hair loss. For example gently
massage the scalp when shampooing to increase blood flow to the
hair roots. Also using good quality conditioners containing
natural products like henna, helps to prevent breakage and
reduce further hair loss. It is also important to eat a well
balanced diet as healthy hair requires the minimum daily intake
of the right minerals and vitamins. Try to eat plenty of fish,
liver, dairy products, eggs, poultry, meat, etc, for vitamin A,
Vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, also leafy vegetables,
orange juice, avocado, beets and broccoli are a good source of
folic acid.
Keep the hair short to help prevent mechanical breakage and have
it layered to give the appearance of more volume. Try to avoid
damaging the hair with hot hair dryers and heated hair
straighteners and avoid chemically treating the hair with dyes,
tints and bleaches.
Conclusions
Hair loss caused by the menopause is a natural process but can
be managed through special care and prescribed treatments. If
you have any special concerns about this condition it is always
advisable to consult your local GP as stress and worrying can
make matters worse. Remember that you are not alone, many women
experience the menopause and hair loss but there are now many
effective treatments available.
It is well known that men can start losing their hair from their
early twenties onwards yet it is still thought of as uncommon
for women to loose their hair. However women can experience
sudden hair loss when approaching the menopause with as many as
forty percent of women being affected by the condition. There
are many different causes for female hair loss including
pregnancy, genetics and illness but the menopause is the time
most women experience the condition.
The Reasons
Increased hair loss and thinning hair as women approach the
menopause is due to changes in hormonal levels in the body. In
fact noticing hair loss can be one of the first signs of
approaching the menopause. It is caused in part by a drop in
estrogen (female hormones) levels produced by the ovaries,
creating an imbalance between androgen (male hormones) and
estrogen hormones. Testosterone is one of the hormones from the
androgen group and increases as the estrogen levels fall. For
men, testosterone is the hormone commonly associated with
causing male pattern hair loss and although produced in much
lower quantities in women, it creates a similar hair loss
condition. This process is started by testosterone combining
with an enzyme called Alpha5 reductase to create a substance
called dihyrotestosterone (DHT). It is the DHT which is
responsible for the hair loss. After the menopause the ovaries
may continue to produce even more androgens than estrogen and
this can result in further hair loss. It also doesn't just
affect hair on the scalp but body hair can also become thinner,
just the opposite of men who tend to get more body hair as scalp
hair thins. Some women however experience no menopausal hair
loss or excessive thinning at all, the reasons for this are not
yet fully understood.
Treatments and Advice
Many women are prescribed hormone therapy treatment (HRT) to
counter some of the more severe symptoms of the menopause such
as hot flashes, night sweats, lack of sleep, mood swings, and
sensitive skin. But HRT works by increasing the levels of
estrogen to pre-menopausal levels. HRT is therefore also an
effective hair loss treatment which reduces testosterone and DHT
allowing hair to grow back.
There is also a prescription only drug called spironolactone
that instead of raising estrogen levels, works in the opposite
way by slowing down the production of androgens (testosterone)
in the adrenal glands and ovaries. With less testosterone
produced there is less damaging DHT produced and therefore less
hair loss.
There are also a number of non drug based measures that can be
used to slow down menopausal hair loss. For example gently
massage the scalp when shampooing to increase blood flow to the
hair roots. Also using good quality conditioners containing
natural products like henna, helps to prevent breakage and
reduce further hair loss. It is also important to eat a well
balanced diet as healthy hair requires the minimum daily intake
of the right minerals and vitamins. Try to eat plenty of fish,
liver, dairy products, eggs, poultry, meat, etc, for vitamin A,
Vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, also leafy vegetables,
orange juice, avocado, beets and broccoli are a good source of
folic acid.
Keep the hair short to help prevent mechanical breakage and have
it layered to give the appearance of more volume. Try to avoid
damaging the hair with hot hair dryers and heated hair
straighteners and avoid chemically treating the hair with dyes,
tints and bleaches.
Conclusions
Hair loss caused by the menopause is a natural process but can
be managed through special care and prescribed treatments. If
you have any special concerns about this condition it is always
advisable to consult your local GP as stress and worrying can
make matters worse. Remember that you are not alone, many women
experience the menopause and hair loss but there are now many
effective treatments available.
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