Hair Loss FAQ

Approximately 30 million women (almost 1 in 4) in the United States experience thinning hair. Yet, while this symptom of menopause is common, it still can be a psychologically devastating occurrence if caught off guard. In fact, in a recent poll of 500 women, 24% likened losing their hair to losing a limb. Many women undergoing menopause don´t notice their hair loss at first, and when they do, don´t know how to cope with it. Keep reading for some of the most frequently asked questions about hair loss.

Hair Loss	Q: What is hair loss? A: Hair growth is cyclical; it goes through a normal process of growth before falling out after a few years only to be regenerated again. On average, men and women alike lose approximately 50-100 hairs per day. This is normal. When losing more hair than this, as is common during menopause, hair loss becomes an issue. Q: How does hair grow normally? A: Hair is formed from keratin, a protein that also forms the nails and outer layer of skin. Each strand of hair is actually dead tissue secreted by hair follicles which exist below the scalp´s surface. This visible section is called the hair shaft. Hair remains on the head for a length of time between 2 and 6 years, during which it is continually  growing.  This   growing   phase  is
Hair Loss Overview About Hair Loss How hair grows How hair is lost Hair loss symptoms Types of Hair Loss Causes of Hair Loss Hormonal Other causes Treatment for Hair Loss
known as the time of anagen. By contrast, there is also a resting phase known as telogen, about 3 months in duration, in which the hair stops growing, after which it generally falls out, creating hair loss.

While daily shedding of hair is quite normal, there are signs that may indicate an official condition of hair loss is being experienced, particularly during the time leading up to menopause.

Common symptoms of hair loss: • Hair falls out in large clumps when washing it • Large snarls of hair appear in brush or comb • Small bald patches appear on the scalp • Scalp is red, oily, and/or itchy • Noticeable hair thinning on front, sides or   top of head.

A: As hair loss occurs in women under the guise of different patterns and different causes, there are a fair amount of classifications for female hair loss during menopause.

Androgenic Alopecia	The most common form of hair loss to affect women. Thought to be hormonally caused, it is most frequently seen in women undergoing menopause, and is characterized by overall thinning as well as a bald spot at the crown, or female pattern baldness.
Telogen Effluvium	This occurs when sudden stress or malnutrition causes large numbers of hair follicles to enter the telogen phase at the same time. A couple of months later when they reenter anagen, this provokes a mass shedding of hair.
Alopecia Areata	Occasionally a woman will lose her hair in spots or patches rather than the more common subtle thinning. It is thought to be an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks its own hair follicles, thinking them to be foreign bodies.
Trichotillomania	An obsessive compulsive disorder which involves the pulling of one´s own hair, this is most commonly seen in younger women, typically pre-teen or teenagers, but can be triggered by the anxiety typical of menopause.
Traction Alopecia	Hair loss caused by extreme stress to the hair through severe hairstyles, such as braiding, cornrows or extensions.

For women undergoing menopause, the most commonly encountered type of hair loss is androgenic alopecia. Keep reading to learn about the hormones that cause this condition.

A: Hair loss in menopausal women is primarily caused by hormonal changes, both masculine and feminine. Estrogen plays a large role in hair growth by helping hair to grow faster and staying on the head for a longer duration. When estrogen levels are lowered during menopause, this can lead to thinner hair.

At the same time, masculine hormones such as androgens spike, binding to hair follicles and causing them to go into their "resting" mode sooner than is normal, causing a cycle of thinner and thinner hair production.

In addition, there are a number of other factors that come into play and can cause premature hair loss. Emotional, psychological, and lifestyle related risk factors all can cause hair loss in women.

Medical • Pregnancy • Thyroid Disorders • Pituitary Problems • Anemia • Chemotherapy • Chronic Illness • Scarlet Fever • Eating Disorders • Syphilis

Psychological • Traumatic events • Emotional stress • Anxiety

Lifestyle-Related • Iron deficiency • Lack of vitamins B & C • Excessive amounts of vitamin A • Too little exercise • Lack of protein • Aggressive hair styling

A: On average, it is considered normal to lose anywhere from 50-100 hairs per day. If a woman is noticing an amount that seems excessive or hair is coming out in clumps, it may be hair loss.

A: The onset of hair loss is difficult to predict, as it can strike at such an early age as the late teens or early twenties.

However, many times hair loss is one of the first signs of impending menopause. Many women start to see this symptom in their 30´s or 40´s. Post menopause is when hair loss affects almost everyone however, with approximately 2/3 of women experiencing some sort of thinning.

A: As hair thinning begins, there are a number of tactics at women´s fingertips that may help to hide the damage right from the outset of menopause. Thickening shampoos and tonics are on the market to increase the volume of the hair that remains.

Many women dye their hair darker to give it the appearance of more heft. When hair loss grows more severe, hats or wigs can be helpful, safe, and inexpensive options.

A: Depending on the specific type of hair loss that a menopausal woman is experiencing, at times it can indeed be reversible. For instance, in the case of telogen effluvium, which is often caused by a stressful event, it may be only one cycle of hair growth that is affected, therefore the hair follicles will enter anogen normally and hair will be regenerated.

In the case of androgenic alopecia on the other hand, there is at this point no cure. However, by treating the hormone imbalance that is at the heart of the disorder, it´s certainly possible to manage the symptom and slow down if not prevent significant hair loss.

Return to home page and learn more about the 34 Menopause Symptoms.