Menopause may cause distressing symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings and hair loss or alopecia. Nearly half of menopausal women may experience some degree of hair loss, according to the website Medic8. Falling estrogen levels during the "change of life" may cause a thinning of hair especially on the crown of the scalp and around the temples. Natural remedies including essential oils, herbs, stress management and hair pieces may help solve thinning hair issues during menopause. They are not a substitute for medical treatment; talk to your doctor before using.
Essential Oils
Massaging the scalp with essential oils like rosemary and lavender may stimulate hair regrowth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC.
Oil derived from a Chinese date called Zizyphus jujuba, may also promote thicker hair. An animal study published in May 2010 in Food and Chemical Toxicology found essential oil from seeds of Zizyphus jujuba appear to encourage hair growth. Shaved mice were treated with this essential oil for 21 days. The study was headed by J.I. Yoon, Department of Biotechnology, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
Herbs
Ginkgo biloba may transport nutrients to the hair follicles and encourage hair regrowth, according to the website Herbs for Hair Loss. Ginkgo appears to improve blood circulation and is used to treat circulatory problems.
Horsetail is included in certain herbal hair loss treatments due to its purported ability to revitalize hair and promote hair growth. Little research has been conducted into the possible benefits of horsetail in humans, however.
Ask your health care provider before using herbs for hair loss in menopause.
Stress Reduction
Mood disturbances sometimes associated with menopause can result in hair loss. Stress can kick massive numbers of growing hairs into a resting phase or direct white blood cells to damage the hair follicle, which causes hair growth to stop, according to MayoClinic.com.
Various relaxation techniques can alleviate stress and help repair and revitalize the body and mind. Yoga, meditation and deep breathing exercises can all have calming effects.
Hair Care and Wigs
Wearing hairstyles that won't place undue stress on your hair may help prevent hair loss.
Avoid regularly wearing tight ponytails or severely pulling hair back with clips or barrettes, which can lead to permanent hair loss, advises University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Hairpieces may be the quickest, safest and least costly solution to hair loss. Natural-looking hair weaves, hairpieces and wigs can effectively mask thinning hair in menopause.
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