Menopause and hair loss go hand in hand for many people.
Studies show slightly more than half of all females experience some degree of menopause-relatedhair thinningor loss.
By definition,menopauseoccurs when menstrual periods have stopped for at least 12 months.
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This article provides an overview of menopause and hair loss.
It discusses the hormones that can cause hair to fall out and strategies for combating menopausal hair loss.
Menopause-related hair loss can occur in other parts of the body as well.
Even your eyelashes and eyebrows may thin out during menopause.
Causes of Menopausal Hair Loss
Hormonal fluctuations are the chief cause of hair loss associated with menopause.
These hormones play a role in promoting hair growth, density, and fullness.
When they drop, it leads to thinning hair that doesn’t grow as quickly as before.
A decrease in progesterone and estrogen also sparks an increase inandrogens.
These are male hormones that are found in females in smaller amounts than in males.
Can Menopause Cause Excessive Hair Growth?
What Medications Can Cause Hair Loss?
Research shows topical Rogaine treatments can promote hair regrowth with female-pattern baldness, which can occur during menopause.
Rogaine comes in different formulas for males and females, as both a serum and a foam.
Minoxidil is also available as generic or off-brand products.
Prescriptions
Oral medications that may be prescribed for hair loss in females includefinasterideand spironolactone.
Finasteride, sold under the brand name Propecia, is commonly prescribed for male pattern baldness.
Spironolactoneis a drug used to treat acne that may be effective for menopausal hair loss.
Both drugs alter hormone levels and can cause birth defects or miscarriage.
Microneedling
A newer therapy for hair loss is known as microneedling.
Microneedling can be done in a dermatologist’s office or at home.
However, it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider first before using it yourself.
This controlled injury prompts an immune system response that may help to promote hair growth.
The research on microneedling for hair regrowth focuses on androgenetic alopecia.
Its thought that light increases the number of hair follicles and increases hair strength.
Hair Transplant
If menopausal hair loss is severe, ahair transplantcan help.
Different types of hair transplants include grafting, scalp reduction, flap surgery, and tissue expansion.
Sometimes referred to as hair plugs, each graft contains one to 15 hairs.
It can take up to a year to see the full results from hair grafting.
Additional surgeries may be needed over time to fill in new bald patches.
Reduce Stress
The hormonal changes from menopause can cause your stress levels to rise.
When that happens, it can be difficult to rebalance the hormones.
What’s more, stress is a common cause of hair loss.
Why Is Exercise Important for Menopausal Hair Loss?
Exercise aids in the management of menopausal symptoms.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Diet plays a vital role in hormonal balance.
Avoid using heated styling tools, including blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons, and hot curlers.
Don’t tease your hair, which can cause breakage.
However, avoid pulling hair too tight, which can cause hair to break.
This could give the illusion of thicker and fuller hair while hiding any hair loss you may have.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Menopausal Hair Loss?
Blood tests are sometimes used to determine the cause of hair loss in menopausal and perimenopausal people.
Summary
About half of all females experience some degree of hair loss associated with menopause.
The primary cause is a drop in hormone levels that begin during perimenopause and continue through the post-menopausal years.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, but not always.
Hair loss associated with menopause is resulting from a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels.
After menopause, these hormone levels do not increase.
Many females find their hair continues to thin as they grow older.
Keeping your hair looking healthy after menopause can be a challenge.
In addition to hair thinning, hormonal changes can cause hair to become brittle and break more easily.
Switching up your part or going for a shorter hairstyle can help to camouflage hair thinning.
Various vitamins and minerals play a role in hair health and may help with menopausal hair loss.
Ensuring adequate protein and healthy fat consumption can also help keep hair looking healthy and prevent hair loss.
Biotin is the most commonly recommended supplement for treating and preventing hair loss.
However, it is unclear whether biotin can improve hair growth and volume in people with adequate biotin levels.
Hormonal fluctuations associated with menopause are a common cause of hair loss for females over the age of 40.
Other possibilities include:
Hair loss can be a side effect of certain medications.
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American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Hair transplantation and restoration: What hair transplant procedures are recommended for women?
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hair loss: who gets and causes.
2017;96(6):3718.
