Menopause can lead to the thinning, breakage, or loss of hair for a lot of women. This is mostly due to the consistently low levels of oestrogen and progesterone and an increased production of testosterone.
Treatment options for menopausal hair loss can include medication such as Rogaine and procedures like microneedling. It can also include lifestyle changes, including reducing stress, exercising, and eating a healthy diet.
During menopause, people may notice their hair is thinning, less full or shedding more. “Treat your scalp like fertilizer that you want to optimize for hair growth,” says Dr. Williams. “If your scalp is dry, use gentle, moisturizing shampoos and wash it less frequently.
Most women experience overall hair thinning rather than noticeable bald spots. The thinning can occur on the front, sides, or top of the head. Hair may also fall out in large clumps during brushing and showering. Research suggests that hair loss during menopause is the result of a hormonal imbalance.
At menopause, you may notice changes in your hair texture — it may seem less soft, more brittle — or thinning of the hair.
As we enter midlife, our estrogen levels drop, and this hormone change can cause hair loss, changes in hair texture, dryness, frizziness and hair thinning.
This is because menopause causes your estrogen levels to decrease, and estrogen is a hair-friendly hormone. Estrogen helps keep your hair sumptuous and fabulous but as it decreases hair thins out becoming more dry and fragile leading to fluffy frizz.
B12 levels and hair loss
Another simple nutrient deficiency that is easy to test for, and manage, when it comes to menopausal hair loss is vitamin B12.
Hormonal fluctuations are responsible for hair loss during perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen and progesterone keep the hair in the growing phase, making it grow faster and stay on the head longer. When estrogen and progesterone levels decline, hair growth slows and hair loss becomes more pronounced.
As the body responds to the fluctuations in hormones, numerous physical changes occur. Menopausal hair loss is directly related to the decreased production of estrogen and progesterone. As these hormone levels drop, hair may begin to grow more slowly and become thinner.
Hormonal Hair Loss: Gradual Thinning Of Hair
In women, androgenic alopecia begins with a gradual widening of the part line, followed by increased thinning starting at the top of the head. “A patient may begin to notice a thinner ponytail or may say 'I see more of my scalp,'” St. Surin-Lord says.
Glossy hair and strong nails are a great indicator of general health, but as oestrogen levels start to dwindle in the years leading up to the menopause and after, hair can become dry and lacklustre, and start to thin. It may also grow more slowly and even drop out.
Pubic hair and hair on the body doesn't usually grow back after the menopause, this is due to levels of estrogen and progesterone remaining low as we continue to age.
Chemical treatments and heat styling alike can cause changes in hair texture. Coloring, relaxing, perming, blow drying on high heat, and flat ironing can all damage hair, leaving it dry and wiry.
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).
Growing long hair past your 50s is not only possible, but it is also probable. You should not be forced to cut your hair because of breakage, dryness, or other age-related damage. As we understand aging and its impact on hair, products can be developed to counter its effects.
While iron and zinc help with hair's shine and luster, magnesium plays an important role in promoting follicle hair growth, which results in healthy hair growth. Most experts agree that magnesium is nature's anti-stress mineral, which is a major component in hair loss.
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.
As we get older, our hair texture changes dramatically. Hair will slowly become drier, coarser, and thinner over the years. The truth is that as we grow older, the oils that our scalp relies on for nourishment decrease, resulting in drier, frizzier hair.