Menopause is a season in a woman's life, usually after age 45 years, when her body goes through a myriad of changes. Menopause is defined by the North American Menopause Society as the final menstrual period and can be confirmed when a woman has gone 12 months without menstruating. It is the mark of the end of fertility. Excess hair growth on the face and body can be disturbing for many women going through this transition. Unlike many of the symptoms of menopause, this hair growth is on display for anyone to take notice of and can be a source of embarrassment.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of menopause include irregular periods, decreased fertility, vaginal dryness, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, increased abdominal fat and loss of breast fullness. If that isn't enough, add to the list the thinning hair on the head and a seemingly abundance of unwanted hair on the face and body. These changes can be unnerving to even the most grounded of women.
Hormones
The hormonal change responsible for hair loss and unwanted hair growth during menopause is the fluctuation in the ratio of estrogen to testosterone in the body. Estrogen levels plummet while testosterone levels decrease at a slower rate. The resulting excess in testosterone produces the unwanted hair growth on the face and body while thinning the hair on the head.
Other Considerations
Thyroid conditions can also contribute to thinning hair and are common in women in the perimenopausal and postmenopausal phase of life due to the upset in the hormonal balance that takes place. On the opposite end of the spectrum, unwanted hair growth in women, also known as hirsutism, can be attributed to insulin resistance, polycystic ovarian syndrome, Cushing's syndrome, or tumors on the adrenal glands or ovaries.
Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be used to ease the symptoms of menopause, including hair loss and unwanted hair growth. HRT is available in different forms, including oral medications, creams, gels and patches. Estrogen can be used alone or in conjunction with progesterone to replace diminishing levels in the body. Eligibility as well as the benefits and risks of HRT should be discussed with a physician or other health care professional.
Management
If hair growth is affected by an underlying medical condition, diagnosing and treating the problem is the most effective way to correct the offending hair issue. There are options for managing hair hurdles during menopause if HRT is not an option. Thinning hair can be treated with a drug that stimulates hair growth such as minoxidil. Hair transplants are another option to correct the appearance of thinning hair.
A variety of hair removal techniques can be used to manage unwanted hair including shaving, waxing, tweezing, depilatory creams, laser treatments and electrolysis. These methods are not permanent and must be repeated regularly to control hair growth. Incorporating these practices into a beauty regimen can alleviate the anxieties and embarrassment of unwanted hair.
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