Hair Loss & Thinning. Will It Grow Back?
Your hair is your crowning glory, so we can imagine how frustrating it is to experience hair loss or thinning. Excessive hair loss is one of the bothersome symptoms of perimenopause that makes women think all sorts of depressing thoughts, and this leads to spikes in stress.
But if there’s one consolation in your loss of hair, it is the fact that this too shall pass.
Continue reading the rest of this article to understand why women experience hair loss or thinning, also known as female pattern hair loss, during their menopause journey.
Why does this happen?
As with all things related to menopause, the main culprit is your female hormones.
Estrogen is responsible for your healthy hair growth, so when your estrogen levels decline, your hair falls more quickly than it used to.
The decrease in the production of estrogens can also wreak havoc to your other sex hormones — testosterone in particular. When your testosterone levels shoot up, it causes your hair follicles to shrink and lead to a male pattern of hair loss. It can even increase the facial hair on your chin, neck, and upper lip!
Other possible reasons for this common symptom include lack of nutrients, stress, and illness.
Does hair grow back?
Good news: Your hair will grow back!
As we mentioned above, menopausal hair loss in women primarily happens during the perimenopausal stage. After your menopausal transition, things are bound to get better.
But you also have to do your part in taking care of your hair so that it doesn’t affect your quality of life.
Here’s what you can do:
- Eat a healthy diet. A deficiency in certain vitamins and minerals can pose problems with hair growth. Make sure that you have a well-balanced diet rich in vitamin C, D, B, A, and E, as well as iron, zinc, and protein.
- Improve hormonal imbalances. While hair loss is an inevitable part of aging, keeping your hormones in check may slow down the process and reduce the symptoms of menopause. You can include an iron supplement in your diet or try hormone replacement therapy.
- Keep your stress levels in check. Reduced estrogen levels can affect your brain chemistry, causing anxiety, depression, and mood swings. The added stress will only aggravate the loss of your hair, so engage in relaxing activities like meditation, yoga, tai chi, and breathing exercises.
- Shorten your hair. Cutting your hair can add volume and reduce the weight of your hair, helping you hide your problem spots and camouflage the issue. Minimizing heat damage can make your tresses look fuller, too.
- Try hair growth products. If you really can’t stand seeing your shedding locks, you can try using hair thickening shampoos and topical solutions. Some studies also suggest that low-level laser scalp treatments can stimulate hair growth, so that’s another method you can try. In worst cases, a surgical hair transplant can also be done.
Take note that female hair loss can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, so be sure to check with your doctor just to be on the safe side.
Learn more about menopausal symptoms and how to handle them by checking out our free menopause training right here.
