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Solutions for Hormonal Hair Loss in Women

If you're peri-menopausal or fully menopausal, you may be experiencing hair loss due to fluctuating and then disappearing hormones--including estrogen and progesterone. If a woman's testosterone levels are too high, she can experience hair loss comparable to that which a man experiences. After giving birth, some women may experience hair loss. But this is almost always temporary and will sort itself out once her hormones get back to normal.

  1. Considerations About HRT

    • If you're considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), be aware that there are serious risks including blood clots, cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. It's still up for debate whether HRT helps reduce hair loss, but some physicians claim it helps. HRT's benefits may not outweigh the risks. Discuss this with your physician and see if she thinks hormone replacement is safe for you and whether it will have any bearing on your hair loss situation.

    Drugs

    • Consider Rogaine (minoxidil), which is helpful for women who are losing their hair. Another drug called Propecia may be the answer for menopausal women because it prevents testosterone from converting into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), which is the death knell for hair. It causes hair follicles to shrink in size, which results in hair loss, according to Womenshealth.org.

    Daily Supplement

    • Take a vitamin supplement daily. The crucial hair health vitamins include the B complex and Biotin--which is particularly good for the hair--and E, C and A, although too much vitamin A can be detrimental to your health. Hair needs zinc, magnesium and cooper, so make sure these are included in your vitamin.

    Herbs

    • Consider using herbs such as maca, black cohosh, sarsaparilla, licorice and saw palmetto. Black cohosh, for instance, contains estrogens, whereas maca does not--but its contents produce estrogenic effects in those who take it. Discuss this approach with an experienced herbalist or your physician.

    Home Remedy

    • Try a home remedy to treat your hair loss. According to Organicpassion.info, the following method is effective: Mix 1 tbsp. almond oil with 2 tbsp. clear honey, 2 drops each of pure rosemary essential oil and cedarwood essential oil, and 1 drop of pure lemon essential oil. Apply this mix to your hair and then wrap your head in a small towel that has been soaked in rosemary tea. Leave the mixture in your head for 30 minutes. Wash it out, using shampoo.

    Other Approaches

    • Shampoo the hair in horsetail, a good source of silica. Holisticonline.com says this reportedly stimulates hair growth while also increasing circulation to the scalp and disinfecting the scalp. Silica is important because it keeps hair strong and shiny. To do this, steep 2 tbsp. horsetail in 4 oz. water. Mix this with baby shampoo and then rinse.

    More Ideas

    • Consider massaging your hair with tinctures of rosemary, birth or stinging nettle. These herbs reportedly increase blood circulation to the scalp and stimulate hair growth.
      Rinse your hair using a combination of sage tea and apple cider mix or use catmint or chamomile infusions to rinse with, which will reduce itchy scalp that can cause hair loss.

    Food

    • Get enough protein in your diet. Hair consists primarily of protein, If you are deficient in this area, it may cause problems for your hair. Anemia (iron poor blood) can cause you to lose your hair. Eat an iron-rich diet so you can avoid this problem.

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