Menopause hair loss, also known as menopause alopecia, is a common side effect among women over age 50 who are going through this stage in life. This issue results in thinning hair on the head, and is oddly often combined with new, unwanted hair on the face. Changing hormones and increased stress levels during mood swings are most often to blame for menopause hair loss. Treatment for this problem includes hair transplant surgery, hormone replacement therapy, acupuncture, herbal remedies, and lifestyle changes.
One of the hormones responsible for menopause hair loss is estrogen, as there is less of it in the body during this time period. Other hormones are also to blame, however, including the lower levels of progesterone. Additionally, the loss of such hormones also means that testosterone is no longer being regulated. During menopause, the body begins creating 5-alpha-reductase, which is a hormone that turns testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. This substance is known for causing thinner hair, both in the front and on the top of the head.
Stress can also lead to menopause hair loss, and many women find plenty of reasons to stress when they go through this stage. Mood swings and depression are both common during menopause, and can cause many women to feel stressed enough to start losing hair. Anxiety during this time is also common, especially in women who are not prepared to deal with all the changes that menopause can bring.
Hormone replacement therapy is one type of treatment that can stop menopause hair loss, as it involves adding estrogen to the body so that hormonal balance is restored. While this works for many women, it is only recommended as a temporary treatment since it has been found to increase the risks of ovarian and breast cancer. Hair transplant surgery and scalp lifts are other types of treatment available for menopause hair loss, but they are typically expensive and can be considered invasive. On the other hand, scalp massage and acupuncture are two methods that are known for stimulating the hair follicles enough to grow the hair back.
Additionally, there are natural remedies that can help with menopause hair loss, including herbs. For example, herbs like black cohosh feature plant-based estrogen, while non-estrogenic herbs, like macafem, do not. Both work to balance the hormones in the body during menopause, eventually resulting in reduction of hair loss during this stage of life. Of course, lifestyle changes like eliminating alcohol and caffeine, working out regularly, reducing other sources of stress, and maintaining a balanced diet with no vitamin deficiencies are also natural ways to stop menopause hair thinning.
