Your hair may undergo one of two alterations during menopause. Possible hair growth where none previously existed, or you might notice that your hair is getting thinner. Menopause-related changes in hormone levels could be one of the causes. As levels of progesterone and estrogen decline, the effects of androgens increase.
Since hair follicles diminish during and after menopause, hair may get thinner. In these circumstances, hair takes longer to grow and sheds more frequently. This article goes into greater detail regarding menopause and hair thinning.
Cortisol And Sex Hormones
A woman usually assumes that menopause is over when she stops menstruation and ceases experiencing hot flashes. But as ovarian function declines over time, estrogen and progesterone typically break down slowly and subtly. A gradual decrease in the production of hormones leads to menopausal alopecia.
Progesterone and estrogen both contribute to the health of hair follicles. Progesterone blocks testosterone’s damaging effect on hair follicles by inhibiting 5-alpha reductase. Estrogen encourages anagen stage hair growth, resulting in thicker, healthier, and quicker-growing hair. On the other hand, a progressive rise in adrenal hormones like cortisol and testosterone may encourage androgen-induced alopecia.
Androgens make hair follicles smaller, resulting in new hairs growing back finer with each growth cycle. The binding of androgens causes hair follicles to enter the telogen resting stage earlier than is often the case. This may eventually result in follicle death over time.
Assume serum testosterone increases but does not decrease with treatment for an acceptable period (3-6 months). Then, additional follow-up testing for an ovarian or adrenal tumor that produces testosterone should be done.
Scalp Topical Medications
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is the most popular topical treatment for androgenic alopecia that has received FDA approval. The potential impact mechanisms include:
- Promoting cellular proliferation.
- Decreasing keratinocyte senescence.
- Raising dermal papilla cell density within the hair follicles.
- Increasing vasodilation.
It can be beneficial for age-related, non-androgenic alopecia due to these numerous modes of action. Studies show that using minoxidil regularly causes hair growth to peak at a year and remain stable at 4 years. The most substantial potency of minoxidil is 5%. Experts advised that while the 5% dosage is advertised to men, the 2% dosage is sold to women.
There is some disagreement over whether minoxidil merely slows hair thinning or if it promotes hair growth. As a result, minoxidil shouldn’t be used as a stand-alone treatment.
Melatonin
Studies showing the benefits of topical melatonin include accelerated skin cell proliferation and support for the hair follicle’s anagen growth stage. The typical daily dose being tested is 0.1%. According to assessments of plasma levels, melatonin enters the bloodstream through the skin.
Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), used topically, has improved scalp circulation. In one study, minoxidil was mixed with rosemary essential oil. According to scientists, itching and scalp irritability were less common side effects of minoxidil. This is because there may be anti-androgenic properties in rosemary.
Low-Level Laser Treatments
In more complicated situations, particularly when there is a genetic component to a woman’s female-pattern hair thinning, LLLT has proven to be beneficial. LLLT can stimulate epidermal stem cells to transition from their resting to their growing state.
Menopause Hair Loss Treatment Using Natural Methods
Observe Your Hair
Most menopausal women don’t even become aware of the hair loss issue until it is too late. That, in turn, contributes to the issue. You can minimize menopause-related hair loss, but you must take action as soon as you realize it. Some of the finest treatments focus on hair loss in its earliest stages, diagnosing the issue as soon as it appears and before it worsens. Therefore, when you begin experiencing menopausal symptoms, you should start giving attention to delicate stresses. Unnatural shedding, weakening, and breakage can all indicate impending volume loss.
Boost Your Protein Intake
It would be best if you modified your diet to reflect the significant changes your body is currently undergoing. Adapting to the body’s altered dietary requirements is crucial to prevent hormonal imbalances from adversely impacting the body’s health, complexion, and hair after menopause.
Increase the protein content of your meals. Lean meat is a fantastic source of animal protein, so increase your consumption. Start regularly consuming egg whites. The daily salad should contain low-fat cottage cheese. Include some nuts and legumes in each of your daily meals.
Change To Biotin
Hair treatments are the only way to give the hair the non-dietary nutrients it requires. It’s time to convert to natural and reputable items if you have previously used typical consumer-grade chemical solutions. If you want to stop hair thinning after menopause, switch to products with biotin. These products deliver folic acid and vitamin B7 to the hair roots, which are crucial for healthy hair. So instead of stressing over salon procedures, go to protein- and biotin-enriched haircare products that can reduce thinning without using hormones or chemicals and be color safe.
Start Taking Vitamins and Minerals
The body enters a stage of life where it begins to require the additional support that it had been managing just well without. One of those additional supports that the body could use at this point is vitamin and mineral pills. Therefore, losing a lot of hair may be because your body lacks certain nutrients necessary for healthy hair, such as zinc, biotin, vitamin A, vitamin D, etc. Consult your physician about supplements.
Be Kind to Your Hair
Using the proper products and eating the correct things alone won’t cut it. From now on, you should also treat your hair with additional gentleness. Hair begins to lose its customary resilience and vigor during menopause. Therefore, use caution when brushing the hair. Don’t style your hair every day. Avoid excessive rubbing or twisting of your hair strands and unnecessary tension. When combing, try to avoid brusquely brushing through tangles. Especially, look after your scalp.
Conclusion
Numerous menopausal women suffer from alopecia. Any amount of hair loss a woman has throughout her life is distressing. It is frequently dismissed as a vanity concern and does not receive the attention it merits. A proactive strategy implemented early on will bring immediate mental calm and progressive symptom relief.
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