Menopause & Hair Loss

Hair Loss and the Menopause – Treatment and Prevention Advice From Rituals Hair Lab in Scotter, Near Gainsborough

During the menopause, the body goes through numerous physical changes as the hormone levels fluctuate. Symptoms of menopause can include dullness, dryness and thinning of your skin, hot flashes, mood changes, insomnia and weight gain. Many women can also suffer from thinning hair and hair loss during menopause.  

At Rituals Hair Lab in Lincolnshire, we are experienced in helping women suffering from menopausal hair loss and we’re here to provide advice and treatments for what can be a distressing condition.  

What Does Menopausal Hair Loss Look Like? 

The average age for women to experience menopause is 50, although changes to your hair can occur before this. Around the age of 40, it is common to find you don’t have the same volume of hair as you did during your twenties, but the onset of menopause can accelerate this thinning of your hair. The pattern of menopausal hair loss is quite similar to the early stages of male pattern baldness. You may notice a reduction in the thickness (volume) of each strand. This is often a gradual change, and you may also notice that your hair doesn’t grow as much as it did previously. In some cases, you may also notice recession of the hair at your frontal hairline and temples, a widening of your parting and increased shedding of hair when washing or brushing your hair.   

This is described as Female Pattern Hair Loss, but rest assured, a complete loss of hair and baldness in women during menopause is rare, and is usually caused by other conditions and treatments.

What Causes Menopausal Hair Loss?

Changes during menopause are due to a decrease in oestrogen levels. Oestrogens effect your menstrual cycle, sex drive, appetite, mood swings and skin, and also the growth cycle of your hair. During menopause, you may find your hair won’t grow as long as it did previously. This is because it is oestrogens which keep your hair in the growing phase of the cycle, and the longer the growing phase, the longer your hair will grow. Reduced oestrogen levels cause your hair’s growth cycle to shorten and your hair sheds before it reaches the length that it used to be able to grow to.

Androgens are male hormones, but they are also found in lower levels in women. Menopause causes androgen levels to increase, which can in turn trigger thinning of the hair on your scalp and can also cause extra growth in facial and body hair.  Androgens do not necessarily decrease your number of scalp hairs, but instead reduce their diameter and length.  The result is a loss of volume or ‘body’ in the hair so, whilst it not be falling out more, the new growth of hair is thinner and more weak. 

The Psychological Impact Of Menopause Hair Loss

The impact that hormonal fluctuations which occur during menopause have can be distressing. From a psychological viewpoint, it is very common to scrutinise the physical effects of menopause in the mirror, paying particular attention to your hair. Hair has a deep psychological meaning for many of us, as an expression of ourselves and our personality. Both menopause and female hair loss can often be associated with loss of femininity and sexuality. These thoughts and changes can all feed into each other, and can become very demoralising. 

Luckily, we're here to help and things can be done to get the best out of your hair during this stressful time.  Book an appointment at our Hair Lab in Scotter, Lincolnshire, and our expert team will be able to advise you and offer treatments.

Can I Prevent Menopausal Hair Loss?

There are plenty of steps you can take to limit the impact of the menopause on your hair and body, helping you to feel happy and healthy through the menopause and beyond.

• Exercise - body weight and resistance training, pilates and yoga are popular exercises to get your blood pumping, strengthen your muscles and lift your mood!
• Food  - It is essential to eat a healthy balanced diet including plenty of fruit, vegetables and unprocessed foods. 
• Drink plenty of water - Your body needs to be well hydrated to function properly and hydration can help improve the look of your hair and skin, and even help you to lose weight!
• Consider taking supplements to promote heathy hair and skin. 
• Be gentle with your hair  - Go easy on washing, particularly using the correct products, heated styling, tight hair bands and buns.

 Treatments For Menopause Hair Loss

At our Lincolnshire hair loss clinic we offer a wide range of treatments for hair loss. Book a consultation and our team of specialists can assess your hair and scalp, and will be able to diagnose whether your thinning hair is being caused by the menopause or other factors or conditions.  

There are a wide variety of non surgical hair loss solutions available including scalp microdermabrasion, Aveda Botanical Scalp Treatments, hair volumisers and wigs.  You can rest assured you are in safe hands with our team of experts and we will always treat you in complete confidence.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and Hair Loss

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) balances post-menopausal oestrogen levels to average pre-menopausal levels, this is something you may wish to discuss with your GP.

HRT can reduce your risk of osteoporosis and alleviates menopausal symptoms, including hair loss or thinning. However, it is very important that you weigh the risks with the benefits. The effects that each HRT treatment can have on your hair isn't fully understood and it worth asking about this before you begin treatment. Some HRTs can be bad for your hair, while others can be very beneficial, women can respond differently to the same treatment.

Always consult with your doctor before choosing a HRT, and if you are concerned or upset by changes to your hair, make your doctor aware before or during your treatment so they can prescribe the correct treatment for you. 

Book A Menopause Hair Loss Consultation at Rituals Hair Lab in Scotter, Near Gainsborough

If you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss during menopause, or for any other reason, please call us on 01724 764418 to book a consultation with one of our trained hair loss specialists.