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Hair Loss Due to Hot Flashes

Hot flashes cannot directly cause hair loss, but they are two symptoms that are often experienced as a part of menopause. This generally occurs in women aged 51 or above, marking the end of their reproductive years.

  1. Menopause

    • Hormonal changes in menopause cause hot flashes and hair loss. The imbalance in the hormone estrogen is responsible for both symptoms; hot flashes do not cause hair loss.

    Hair Loss

    • Hair loss during menopause is called androgenic alopecia. This is also known as male pattern hair loss since the hair that falls out are controlled by androgens (male hormone).

    Identification

    • Women with androgenic alopecia have hair that thins from the hair line and recedes back. This hair loss may come out a little at a time or excessively.

    Treatments

    • Hot flashes are usually treated by increasing estrogen in a treatment called hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). This treatment may also slow down the rate of hair loss in menopausal women. One widely suggested treatment used for hair re-growth is called Minoxidil (Rogaine), available over-the-counter.

    Considerations

    • If you are experiencing hot flashes and thinning hair, arrange an appointment to see your physician in order to rule out any other health conditions that may cause these symptoms.

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