Menopause & Hair Loss

Women lose hair for many reasons in various stages of their lives. Medical conditions that cause hormonal changes such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth can cause hair loss. According to womentowomen.com, hair loss is experienced by one-third of menopausal women.

Identification

• Hair loss in menopause is usually in the areas of the scalp controlled by adrogens (male hormone). The hair thins out from the hairline to the crown. This type of hair loss is called androgenic alopecia.

Causes

• In menopause the amount of the female hormone estrogen has reduced significantly. This reduction causes a hormonal imbalance, which results in a higher amount of male hormone. This hormonal imbalance directly causes hair loss.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

• Women who are in menopause and want to treat hair loss may have to take hormone replacements. Hormone replacement therapy works to increase estrogen levels. This increase helps to eliminate some of the symptoms of menopause including slowing down hair loss.

Minoxidil

• Another treatment that is used to stop hair loss and encourage re-growth is Minoxidil. Minoxidil is a topical solution that can be purchased over the counter as Rogaine.

Facts

• In addition to using Minoxidil topical solution and hormone replacement therapy, you can also use over-the-counter shampoos and conditioners formulated to thicken hair, promote growth and mend split ends.