Menopause Hair Loss

Hair Loss and the Menopause – Treatment and Prevention
Advice From Simone Thomas Hair Loss Clinic in Bournemoth, Dorset 

October is World Menopause Awareness Month, organised in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.   The purpose of the month is to raise awareness of the menopause and highlight the support and options available for improving women’s health and well-being.  

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

At Simone Thomas hair loss clinic in Bournemouth our expert trichologists 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 Menopause Hair Loss Look Like? 

Fifty is the average age for menopause, but changes to your hair can begin long before this.   From the age of about 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 is can accelerate this thinning. The pattern of menopausal hair loss is similar to the early stages of male pattern baldness.  Most commonly, you may notice a reduction in the thickness (volume) of each strand.  This is not immediate, but 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 at your frontal hairline and temples, a widening of your parting and increased shedding of hair.   

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

What Causes Hair Loss During Menopause?

The basis for changes during menopause is a decrease in oestrogen levels. Oestrogens effect your menstrual cycle, sexual arousal, appetite, mood swings and skin, and also the growth cycle of your hair.  For example, during menopause, you may find your hair won’t grow as long.  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 can 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.

Androgens are male hormones, which are also found in women to a lesser degree.  Menopause causes androgen levels to increase, which can in turn trigger thinning of the hair on your scalp and can also cause extra facial and body hair.  Androgens do not necessarily decrease your number of scalp hairs, but reduce their diameter and length.  The result is a loss of volume or ‘body’.  Your hair may not be falling out more, or failing to grow back – but the replacement hairs are weaker and finer.

Psychological Impact Of Menopause Hair Loss

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

Luckily help is at hand, and things can be done to get the best out of your hair during this stressful time.  Book an appointment at our Bournemouth Trichology Clinic and our expert team will be able to advise you and offer treatments.

How 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, and keep yourself feeling happy and healthy through the menopause and beyond.

• Exercise is key.  Particularly body weight and resistance training, pilates and yoga.  Keep your blood pumping, strengthen your muscles and lift your mood!
• Food  It’s really important 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.
• Consider taking supplements to promote heathy hair and skin.   Simone Thomas’s own range of award-winning supplements is available here.
• Be gentle with your hair   Go easy on heated styling, tight hair bands and buns.

For more advice see Simone Thomas’s book Healthy Hair, Happy Body.  Available to purchase here.

Treatments For Menopause Hair Loss

At our Dorset trichology 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.  

After this we will offer you a tailored programme of treatments to improve your hair loss and restore your confidence.  There are a wide variety of non surgical hair loss solutions available including microdermabrasion treatments on your scalp, Nioxin products, hair volumizers 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) restores post-menopausal oestrogen levels to average pre-menopausal levels, and this is something you may wish to discuss with your GP.

HRT reduces your risk of osteoporosis and alleviates menopausal symptoms, including hair loss and/or thinning.  However, it is very important that you weigh the risks with the benefits.  Few doctors or gynaecologists fully understand the effect that each HRT treatment can have on your hair and it worth asking about this before you begin treatment. Some HRTs can be bad for your hair, while others can be very beneficial and 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. This can influence which therapy they think is best for you.

Book A Menopause Hair Loss Consultation at Simone Thomas Hair Loss Clinic in Westbourne

If you are concerned about thinning hair or hair loss during menopause, or for any other reason, please call us on 01202 760003 to book a consultation with one of our trained hair loss specialists.

We look forward to helping you feel better.