Hair Loss During Menopause

Hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings – menopause is a roller coaster of emotions. And as if these constant ups and downs weren't challenging enough, our bodies add one more – hair loss.

And exactly this hair loss robs us of our last nerve. Because if there's one thing us women can't do without, it's our hair. Brittle, lifeless and thin hair we feel as a punishment

For some, the punishment is even so great that they no longer feel comfortable in their skin. Depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders and social isolation are now a threat.

At least the culprit is quickly caught. The hormones are to blame. If the female body produces too little estrogen, androgenetic alopecia sets in.

In other words, the amount of male sex hormones increases and affects our hair growth. The worst case scenario: We have to say goodbye to our thick and strong hair.

But why is it that during the menopause our hair gets the worst of it and what can we do about it? Let's get to the bottom of it.

Hair Loss During Menopause – How does it Happen?

Are you experiencing hair loss during menopause? You're not alone. About one-third of all menopausal women complain of thinning hair. The exact diagnosis is telogen effluvium.

In most cases, telogen effluvium is a hormone-related hair loss, a special form of hereditary hair loss.

However, it is not primarily the genes but the hormones that are responsible for the stagnant hair growth. Hormonal changes during menopause trigger the hereditary hair loss.

The main cause of hair loss during menopause is estrogen, a female sex hormone. During menopause, the estrogen level drops significantly. As a result, we have fewer female sex hormones in our bodies.

And the fewer female sex hormones we have available, the faster a hormonal imbalance sets in. Suddenly the ratio between female and male sex hormones is no longer balanced.

But wait a minute, male sex hormones in the female body – there is something wrong. Yes, there is – it's all true. Because male sex hormones in the female body are completely normal. They coexist peacefully with the female sex hormones.

It only becomes unpleasant when there are suddenly too many male sex hormones – as is often the case during menopause.

However, an imbalance of female and male hormones does not necessarily lead to hair loss.

Only if the hair roots of the woman react sensitively to the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hair coat thins out. And this hypersensitivity is genetically determined. That is why we also speak of hormonally-disposed hair loss.

But what exactly does this hypersensitivity to DHT do?

• If the hair follicles react sensitively to the hormone DHT, the natural cycle of hair growth is shaken. The growth phase of the hair follicles is shortened, the rest phase is prolonged.
• This causes the hair follicles to shrink - until they no longer produce new hair.
• The blood supply, the so-called capillaries, constrict so that the follicles no longer get enough nutrients. And the fewer nutrients they receive, the more sluggish the hair formation. The hairs that grow back become finer and thinner – until finally the hair root atrophies.
   

But hormonal changes are not the only cause of hair loss during menopause. You should also have these factors on your radar when searching for the cause:

• Stress
• Incorrect diet (too little vitamins, minerals and trace elements)
• Incorrect hair care (too frequent washing, aggressive care products with silicones and parabens, excessive styling, coloring)

Hair Loss During Menopause – Typical Symptoms

Hair loss during menopause tends to follow a pattern: it usually begins with the thinning of the crown of the head. From here on, it continues backwards to the back of the head.

Of course, different levels of hair loss can be observed. Some patients complain only of slightly thinning hair on the crown, while others have bald patches.

In the worst case, baldness even forms on the top of the head. In this case, the physician speaks of circular hair loss.

Typical for hair loss during menopause is also a chronic course. It continues until no new hair grows back. In the end, completely bald patches remain. Unfortunately, this loss cannot be reversed. Hair loss is irreversible.

Good to know: If hair loss is suspected during menopause, it is worth seeing a dermatologist. They will determine the type and severity of the hair loss with various tests – be it blood tests, biopsies, trichograms, TrichoScan, sightings or an analysis of the family background.

Does Hair Become Thicker Again After Menopause?

Usually, hair loss lasts for a few years. In some cases, it even drags on for up to ten years.

But there is also reason for hope: as the menopause draws to a close, the altered estrogen levels slowly begin to return to normal.

The hormone balance, which has been thrown into turmoil, stabilizes. And the more stable the hormone balance, the thicker and stronger the hair grows.

The bad news: Hair roots that have already atrophied are lost. No new hair can grow back here.

Hair Loss During Menopause – What to Do?

There's no doubt about it: hair loss during menopause is an emotional burden. That's where a few insider tips come in handy. From proper care and styling to promising medications, here's what we can do to combat the cosmetic flaw.

Home remedies

Would you have thought that you definitely have a natural helper or two at home? May we prove it to you? These secret weapons can be found in every well-stocked household:

• Coconut oil as a hair treatment
• Wash hair with nettle broth
• Rinse with apple cider vinegar
• Fenugreek - whether as capsules or as a paste for the scalp
• Beer Rinse
• Parsley Hair Treatment
• Hair treatment with argan oil
• Aloe vera - cools down the hot scalp
   

Equally important is a healthy and balanced diet. This bundle of energy keeps the hair roots fit:

• Iron (legumes, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios, quinoa, oatmeal)
• Zinc (meat, cheese, milk, eggs)
• Folic acid (eggs, tomatoes, oranges, soybeans)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (fish, olive oil, flaxseed, walnuts)
• Vitamin A, C and E (bell pepper, potato, parsley, spinach, broccoli, kale, flaxseed, nuts).
• B vitamins (meat, fish, eggs, milk)
   

Good to know: A nutritional deficiency can have a negative effect on hair growth. This makes it all the more important to compensate for the deficiency quickly and effectively.

And this is exactly where dietary supplements such as biotin, folic acid, zinc or iron come into play. They actively support our hair roots in finding their way back into balance.

But beware: Not just any dietary supplement will do your body any favors. Quality makes all the difference. It's best to go for a high-quality product from the pharmacy or health food store.

Medication for hair loss

If the dermatologist has diagnosed an androgenetic alopecia, preparations with minoxidil are worthwhile – whether as tinctures for the scalp, as medicaments to be taken or as shampoo.

The two active ingredients cannot stop hair loss, but they can slow it down. It has been proven that they delay the advancing hair loss, so that it does not even come to receding hairline or half and full baldness.

Special tip from the dermatologist: The earlier you treat menopausal hair loss with minoxidil the higher the chances of success.

But please be careful: Like all medicines, preparations containing minoxidil carry health risks. These side effects are known so far:

• Tachycardia
• Chest tightness
• Decreased libido and sexual dysfunction
• Headache
• Depression and panic attacks

The Right Care

Prevention is half the battle when it comes to hair loss. If you treat your hair well, you can counteract the loss of hair. But what exactly does "treat well" mean? Let us explain.

• Wash in moderation: Two to three times a week is quite enough for our mop of hair.
• Hands off chemicals: Synthetic additives like silicones and parabens are a thorn in the side of our irritated hair roots. Natural products with plant-based active ingredients like aloe vera or coconut oil are definitely the better choice – both in shampoo and conditioner.
• Heat? No thanks! Why don't you put your hairdryer, straightener and curling iron aside more often when styling your hair? Your hair will thank you.
• Eyes up when choosing hairstyles: Strict updos don't appeal to our hair at all. How about a loose braid or a casual bun instead?
• Not all hair ties are created equally: did you know that hair ties are actually hair killers? But thankfully, not all of them. Big, light hair ties are fine – especially scrunchies.

Fake it till you make it

Fancy some new hair? That's no problem either. A good wig makes the seemingly impossible possible.

Especially with large bald areas such as half and full baldness, the aid is worth its weight in gold – simply put on, straighten and feel good.

Or what do you think of a stylish hat or a trendy headscarf? You'll kill two birds with one stone - you'll hide your flaws and give yourself an extra dose of self-confidence.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

If hair loss during menopause is related to hormone balance, hormone replacement therapy is an option. It specifically counteracts the excess of male sex hormones in the female body and thus promotes strong and healthy hair growth.

But beware: Before the therapy, a detailed discussion with the dermatologist of your choice is necessary. Only he knows the answer to the two all-important questions:

• Is it really hormonal hair loss?
• Can hormone replacement therapy actually stop hair loss, or at least slow it down?

Autohaemotherapy

Tired hair roots only want one thing – they need to be reawaken. And what could be better suited as a wake-up call than HAIR & SKIN's own blood therapy?

With our innovative treatment, the name says it all: with a few milliliters of your blood, the stagnant hair growth picks up the pace again. Because did you know that there is natural "gasoline" hidden in your blood?

That's right, your red blood cells are like gasoline for your hair roots. At record time, the liquid nutrient and protein bundle coaxes follicles to grow and thrive. Best of all, the protein cure is 100 percent natural. There is no other chemistry necessary here.

Here's how it works:

• Our experts will take your blood. But don't worry, they’re only after a few milliliters.
• They then process the blood in a centrifuge. Here, the attending physician separates the valuable red blood cells from the remaining components.
• Now he injects the liquid treasure directly into the scalp, where it gives the battered hair roots a powerful growth boost.

Our tip: If you book several sessions, the treatment success increases drastically. What do you say to four sessions at intervals of four weeks? That way you're on the safe side.

Hair Transplant

For alopecia patients, the worst diagnosis is "irreversible hair loss". Now they have the sad certainty: the thinning patches will not recover on their own.

But even with the diagnosis of "irreversible hair loss" there is still reason for hope: a hair transplant can turn back the clock for you. Within a few months, you'll have your youthful, light glow back.

There's only one question left: Who do you trust with your glow? After all, you don't put your hair in just anyone's hands. Luckily, we know someone: Why not put your trust in HAIR & SKIN? Your hair is in good hands with us - we promise.

What makes us so special? First and foremost, our innovation comes to mind. Our team moves with the times. That's exactly why only the most modern techniques make it into our repertoire.

The best example is the FUE method. You also know it as Follicular Unit Extraction or the best transplant technique on the market today. The secret of its success is its precision. The hair roots are transplanted along the natural growth direction of the patient like no other technique.

And this precision is of course noticeable in the final result. Gently and evenly, the freshly transplanted hair roots nestle into the existing hair coat - without any disturbing foreign body effect. This means that the surgical procedure remains virtually invisible to others.

And this is how the FUE hair transplant is performed:

• First, the physician takes hair roots that have grown vigorously from a well-suited donor area - usually from the back of the patient's head.
• Immediately afterwards, the hair roots are stored in a rich nutrient solution so that their basic supply is only minimally interrupted. This increases their chances of survival.
• Now the actual transplantation takes place. Step by step, the physician inserts the hair roots into the thinning areas of the scalp. For this purpose, he uses a very fine hollow needle.

Done, the only thing left is the regeneration process. Within a few months, the hair takes root with the scalp. A fresh, healthy and strong hair coat nests - mission "full hair" succeeded.