It's not your imagination: Hair can become drier, thinner, and frizzier before and during this life stage. Here, top experts explain these symptoms, plus serve up solutions for a smoother (thicker, and shinier) transition. "The change" doesn't happen all at once.
In conclusion, the menopause can cause a number of changes in hair texture, including dryness, frizz, thinning, and increased waviness or curliness. Embrace these changes. It's completely natural. Simply adapt your hair routine to ensure your hair stays healthy and looking its best.
Some can suffer quite extensive shedding, while for others, strands may become thinner and more brittle. “Menopausal hair loss never affects the temple area but is found in the parting, and you'll start to see the scalp through the hair,” explains Reavey. “It is also usually passed down on the mother's side.”
Hair loss from menopausal hormone deficiencies can take many forms. Most women notice thinning throughout their scalps, which may be visible when you part your hair or you might notice a thinner pony tail. You may also notice thinning along your hair line, but this is less common for women.
While men usually see a receding hairline, women tend to lose hair from the top of their scalp. The gap on the part of your hair may widen, or you may notice bald spots when you put your hair up.
One good thing: Unlike men, women tend to just thin out overall and don't generally have concentrated areas of hair loss, or baldness. Another good thing: Menopausal hair loss can grow back. Your postmenopausal hair might not be the way it was before, but it can grow back.
Hair loss due to hormones is a reality for many people after menopause as well as during pregnancy. But will it grow back? The answer is yes, but there are also things that can help the body along. Wash hair regularly (every two to three days) with a mild shampoo.
Let's take a look at what causes female hair loss in menopause, which symptoms to look out for, and how it's not the be-all and end-all it may seem (because yes, hair loss during and after menopause can grow back).
“For women who've entered menopause, these are vitamin B12, D, and zinc,” says Kingsley. “Lack of dietary protein is also a common cause of brittle hair and hair loss, as is too little ferritin (stored iron), which women who menstruate are often deficient in,” she says.
Commons Indicators for the End of Menopause
Women may find that they are sleeping better and feeling healthier overall as their hormone levels even out. This can also lead to improvements in mood, energy levels, and cognitive function.
During menopause, estrogen and progesterone levels drop and wreak havoc with our hair. Thick, smooth, shiny locks are suddenly thin, dry, and frizzy. Not to mention going gray and looking a little dull.
Jowls, slack skin, and wrinkles
Studies show that women's skin loses about 30% of its collagen during the first five years of menopause. After that, the decline is more gradual. Women lose about 2% of their collagen ever year for the next 20 years. As collagen diminishes, our skin loses it firmness and begins to sag.
In a quest to reverse thinning hair after menopause, some people try supplements (like omega-3 fatty acids, biotin, and folic acid), hair loss shampoos, and stem cells (still in the experimental stages). They may also turn to laser caps, combs, or latisse (a prescription to grow thicker eyelashes).
If you have thinning hair, then a supplement with folic acid as its main content can support your follicles, especially in balding spots. Vitamin B7 or biotin – Naturally found in lentils, liver, and nuts, biotin can be described as a water-soluble nutrient that can help improve the health of your hair.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) restores your body's oestrogen to an average pre-menopausal level. This treatment relieves menopausal symptoms, including hot flashes, mood swings, osteoporosis and decreased libido. It is also known to help with hair thinning.
Only riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 deficiencies have been associated with hair loss. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is a component of two important coenzymes: flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) [22].
As we age, some pubic hair thinning, or loss, is normal. However, certain conditions like alopecia or an adrenal issue can also cause hair loss.
A visible scalp through your hair can be a sign that it's thinning (but not always). The factors that contribute to thinning hair (and thus a visible scalp) include stress, diet, vitamin deficiency and ageing.
Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse. Regrowth is usual with successful treatment of the thyroid disorder, though it will take several months and may be incomplete.