Menopause and hair loss explained
In a world where it’s common to judge someone based on their beauty, it’s understandable that any person who find the traits of themselves that grant both self-esteem and self-confidence taking a negative turn is a sure-fire way to end up miserable.
It is however, important to note that no matter how confident a person seems, everyone has parts of themselves and/or their bodies that they hate and wish they could change – so don’t think that you are alone in feeling low.
For many women, the menopause is an extremely stressful period of life that often comes with a number of adverse, and less than desirable effects.
What is the menopause?
Menopause is the point in every woman’s life when she is no longer able to conceive a child naturally and her periods will stop. The average age for the menopause is 51, and although it mainly occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, 1 in 100 women do suffer from premature menopause (menopause before the age of 40).
What effects can the menopause have on the body?
There are a large number of temporary symptoms that befall a woman while going through the menopause, with the following rating among the most common:
- A reduction in libido
- Inability to sleep
- Mood swings
- Short-term reduction in cognitive function
- Night sweats
However, the greatest worry many women have with regards to the menopause is the loss or thinning of hair.
Menopause and hair loss explained
The two most dominant hormones that can affect the growth and maintenance of reproductive tissues are oestrogen and testosterone. Both men and women have differing levels of both hormones, and a drop in those levels can have unexpected consequences for either sex.
Oestrogen itself is also the key driving force behind the growth of hair, and during the menopause, the levels of oestrogen begin to decline, causing a rise in testosterone. As with male-pattern baldness, an increase in testosterone can also cause a woman’s hair to appear thinner and less dense.
Is the hair loss temporary or permanent?
For some women, the condition can sadly be permanent from a natural perspective at least. However, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has come a long way in recent years, and treatments to increase oestrogen levels have been very successful for those who are currently suffering.
For other women, the drop-in oestrogen levels can come as a result of high levels of stress brought on by the menopause and once the process is finished, their hair will return to normal.
Should I worry about the menopause and hair loss?
It’s always easy to tell someone not to worry, but for those going through these bodily changes, it can seem impossible focus on anything else. Luckily, in today’s society, thanks to the prevalence of forums and support available through the internet it is often helpful to read stories by those who have already been through it and help you to realise that this is not the result of some cosmic karma, but simply another stage of life that every woman will go through and there is no reason to begin doubting your femininity.
Get help that you deserve
If you are worried that you are experiencing the menopause, it is always advisable to visit your GP to discuss the options that are available to you. However, we will always be available to provide additional support and offer a number of different therapies to help you recover from menopause-based hair loss, so please book a consultation with the Hair Growth Studio if you’d like advice from a different perspective.