As women enter into menopause they experience many symptoms. According to Menopause InfoCenter, hair loss is one of these symptoms. The website states that "roughly two-thirds of women will suffer hair loss to some extent as they grow older, and of that figure about half have female-pattern baldness, or androgenic alopecia." Fortunately, this type of hair loss is treatable and even reversible.
Normal Hair Growth Cycle
According to Menopause InfoCenter, most strands of hair grow approximately half an inch per month. However, this growth slows as people age. The typical hair will remain on your head for six years. The Menopause InfoCenter states hairs go through three growth stages. When growing, the hair remains in the anagen stage. This stage takes up the majority of the six years. When the hair stops growing, it enters the categen stage. Eventually, the telogen stage is entered, which is when the hair falls out. It takes approximately six months for the growth cycle to begin again.
Normal Hair Loss
The Menopause InfoCenter states that there are about 100,000 hairs on the average woman's head. Every day between 40 and 100 strands fall out as they enter the telogen stage. On a normal head of hair, this loss is not noticeable. However, when the hair starts to thin, it is likely for even this normal hair loss to be distressing for a woman.
Hormonal Changes
According to Femhealth.net, the production of estrogen and testosterone in younger women equals out. However, as a woman begins to enter menopause, her production of estrogen decreases. As a result, the body's production of DHT hormone (a derivative of testosterone) is left uncontrolled. When DHT is not controlled, excessive hair loss is experienced.
Other Causes of Hair Loss
The Menopause InfoCenter lists some causes of thinning hair as "physical or emotional stress, certain medications, scalp or dermatological disorders, and heredity." Femhealth.com also states that anxiety, fatigue and overworking can lead to hair loss. The Menopause InfoCenter states that events in a woman's life three months prior to the beginning of hair loss should be evaluated.
Treatment
According to Femhealth.com, most psychological causes of hair loss are temporary. This site goes on to list lifestyle changes, alternative medicines, and drugs or surgery as treatments for hair loss. Lifestyle changes include using stress reduction techniques (like yoga), eating estrogenic foods (like soy, alfalfa, cherries, rice, wheat and yams) and exercising regularly. Alternative medicine treatment includes using Macafem, which is a non-estrogenic herb. Non-estrogenic herbs work by nourishing your hormonal glands and inducing healthy production of natural hormones in the body. A common medical treatment for hair loss is hormone replacement therapy. However, this brings with it many serious side effects.
When the body is returned to its normal state of hormones, the Menopause InfoCenter states that normal hair growth typically returns.
Many women simply choose to use styling techniques to make their hair appear to be fuller. According to Marie Salter, a professional hair stylist in Bradford, Pennsylvania, perms, layers, wigs, gels, mousse and extensions work wonderfully for women with thinning hair.
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