So, you’ve soldiered through the hot flashes and weight gain associated with menopause for months and just when you thought you were on top of things, things on top become your new focus. Menopausal-related hair loss can come as a big surprise…and not necessarily one that’ll leave you smiling.
As you travel through menopause, your hair has a tendency to pack its bags and go away leaving you with a receding hairline, widening part and maybe even some tiny patches on your scalp. Couple this with the multitude of new coarse hair growing on your lip and chin and suddenly you’re seriously wondering how to cope.
Your hair has long been a critical ‘supporting character’ in your life story. That’s why when you first notice shedding on your brush, followed by hair going down the drain, it can be devastating.
Bad Hair Days
Dr. Nicole Rogers, prominent hair transplant surgeon and board-certified dermatologist says this menopausal hair loss can be traced back to the same thing that triggers many menopausal symptoms: fluctuating hormones.
“As estrogen levels drop, normal circulating levels of androgens might be unmasked. This can translate to unwanted facial and chin hairs, as well as hair thinning for some women,” explains Dr. Rogers.
“Female hair appears as a localized thinning the front portion of the scalp, or can occur diffusely over the entire scalp.”
This ‘diffuse generalized hair loss’ is present in 26% of post-menopausal women over the age of 45, according to the British Association of Dermatologists’ study. That includes hair not just on the top of your head, but also near what they term ‘androgen-sensitive sites,’ or the hair ‘down there.’ It thins out, too, even as facial hair gain takes root in most women: 40% attested to that in this particular study. So, in essence, thick hair where you don’t want it and thinning where you want the hair to stay put and grow.
Hormones and Diet Play a Part in Hair Loss
Normal aging is associated with hair loss and skin pigmentation changes, according to at least one study that also states that administering estrogen might delay skin aging. However, Dr. Rogers believes that relying on hormone replacement therapy or HRT to help reverse hair thinning is still not a proven antidote.
“Some patients have told me anecdotally that taking hormones seems to help; however, the use of HRT to treat hair loss has not been well-studied.”
Sluggish thyroids that control metabolism, body temperature and weight can also be to blame for hair loss. Many of the symptoms of menopause are similar to a thyroid condition and that can be confirmed with a thyroid blood test panel under a physician’s care.
Finally, diet and stress do play a role in hair loss, particularly your body’s levels of zinc and iron. Iron deficiency, is being researched as a factor in hair loss and in one study, 22.7% of the tested premenopausal women low on iron had greater hair loss.
Heir Apparent
As the old saying goes, ‘if you want to know what a woman will look like when she’s older, look at her mother.’ Do genetics play a role in thinning hair, as well? According to Dr. Rogers, it does.
“If you have a relative who is bald, wears a wig, had a hair transplant or uses camouflage, then there is probably a gene for hair thinning that runs in the family.”
“If women are genetically programmed to develop female pattern hair loss, this can develop as early as the teen years or as late as the post-menopausal period.” says Dr. Rogers.
I Have to Do Something with My Hair!
If you’ve ever caught a glimpse of your reflection unexpectedly, it can reveal new things about your appearance. If that happens to be a receding hairline or patches of scalp, what can you do? Don’t panic.
Right now, the only FDA approved medication for hair loss is topical Minoxidil, which comes as a 2% solution for twice-daily use in women, according to Dr. Rogers.
“The FDA did approve 5% Rogaine Foam for once-daily use in women, but it is not being sold in stores yet.”
“Women may also use various low-level light therapy devices such as the HairMax Lasercomb, which has FDA clearance to treat hair loss.”
There is always a hair transplant, which moves hair follicular units from other parts of your body to your head, but it is expensive.
It’s only hair!
We know how important our hair is to our overall self-esteem. Turns out, scientists even agree, having conducted studies on how wisdom helps us nurture deeper feelings of self-esteem and a positive spirit. If you find that you are experiencing sudden hair loss, be sure to see your physician. In the meantime, get creative with a new fun style that can make your hair loss less noticeable.
Make it a fun shopping trip and discover what’s out there in the way of cute accessories and even hair extension. They’ll add lift and length in the time it takes you to smile and greet the day with renewed confidence. It is not exactly “modern medicine”, but today we have access to hair extensions, clip-ons, scalp camouflages, and oodles of accessories that can add the appearance of length and fullness without anyone knowing.
Suffering in Silence is Out! Reaching Out is In!
Ellen Dolgen
Ellen Dolgen, menopause education is a mission. Spurred by her own experience struggling with the symptoms of menopause, Dolgen has devoted the last ten years of her life to helping other women during this often difficult time. While she’s not a doctor or scientist, she’s “talked the talk” with countless menopause experts, so that she can “walk the menopause walk” and share the keys to this menopause kingdom. Together with her son, Jack, she created a FREE eBook, MENOPAUSE MONDAYS The Girlfriend’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving During Perimenopause and Menopause, a comprehensive guide to all things menopause—the symptoms, the treatments, and the long-range effects on a woman’s health. Dolgen shares the expertise of numerous specialists to replace confusion and embarrassment with medically sound solutions, presented in an entertaining and informative way.
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