Hair Loss

Traditionally hair loss is a condition associated with men, however it is a reality for an astonishing number of women as well. Particularly during menopause when hormones are thrown out of balance in the body, hair loss is an unfortunately common reality. Oftentimes this is one of the first symptoms of menopause that a woman notices. Hair loss can be one of the more depressing symptoms of menopause, as a woman´s hair is associated with her femininity, sexuality, and individual sense of style.

Fortunately, through learning more about how and why it occurs, it is possible to treat it. Keep reading to learn more about hair loss as it occurs in menopause, why it happens, and how to treat it.

Hair Loss	About Hair Loss Hair Growth The average head contains approximately 100,000 hairs at any given time. Hair is formed from keratin, a protein that also forms the nails and outer layer of skin. Above the surface, the part that is brushed and styled, 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 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.
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 Treatments for Hair Loss

It is normal to lose 50-100 hairs each day. These are constantly regenerated by the hair follicles. However due to various reasons, it is possible for a far greater hair loss to occur, particularly in women undergoing the transition of menopause.

Not all hair loss is the same. As it can be caused by a variety of factors, there are a corresponding number of ways in which it might manifest itself. When imagining hair loss, many people automatically think of male pattern baldness first, which is characterized by the receding hairline and bald patch on top of the head. In menopausal women this hair loss tends to not be as noticeable, with an overall thinning in most cases rather than bald spots.

Symptoms of Hair Loss

As some degree of hair loss is normal, it may be difficult to ascertain whether or not the amount of hair being shed is to a degree that warrants concern. The following are some of the most commons symptoms of hair loss in menopause:

If experiencing these symptoms, it is likely that hair loss has reached the point of being a problem. Click on the following link for more information about hair loss during menopause, or continue reading to learn more about specific causes for hair loss during menopause.

Causes of Hair Loss

Hormonal Causes

Hair loss during menopause is usually a direct effect of fluctuating hormone levels. Two main hormones are involved in hair growth: estrogen and testosterone. In estrogenic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss for menopausal women, this loss is directly attributed to a fall in estrogen levels. Estrogen helps hair grow faster, and stay on the head for a longer duration, leading to thicker, healthier hair. Estrogen is not the only hormone that comes into play with the issue of menopausal hair loss. Androgens, or male hormones, increase as estrogen levels decrease. This causes androgenic alopecia, another form of hair loss. An androgen known as dihydrotestosterone, or DHT

appears to bind to hair follicles and force them to go into their "resting" phases, or telogen, sooner than is normal, causing the new hairs to grow ever thinner with each cycle of hair growth. Testosterone also shrinks the hair follicles, causing hair loss on the head, yet a greater production of hair on the face.

It is not only hormones that can cause a decrease in hair production during menopause however. There are a number of other causes that can lead to hair loss. Keep reading to learn more about other less common causes of hair loss.

Other Causes

While for menopausal women the cause of hair loss almost always is at least partially hormonal, there are many other causes that may also play a role in hair loss during menopause; including medical, psychological, or lifestyle triggers.

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

Psychological Causes • Anxiety • Emotional stress • Traumatic events • Depression • Eating Disorders

Lifestyle Triggers • Excess vitamin A • Lack of B, C vitamins • Iron deficiency • Lack of protein • Lack of exercise • Pulling or twisting hair

Fortunately, through learning more about the causes of hair loss, it is possible to treat it. Click on the following link to find more information about the causes of hair loss during menopause, or read on to learn more about ways to overcome hair loss during menopause.

Treatments for Hair Loss

Americans spend 1 billion dollars per year on hair loss treatments. Unfortunately, according to the American Hair Loss Society, 99% of these treatments are ineffective. For women in particular, most do not want to sit back and let their hair fall out slowly without taking action. Luckily there are alternative solutions that can be successful for women experiencing hair loss.

Lifestyle adjustments may help. Changes in diet and hair care are beneficial to some degree, as diet affects the rate of hair growth. Increasing one´s intake of protein, vitamins B & C, and iron all help. Exercise and stress reduction techniques such as yoga or meditation improve overall health, and taking care to not pull or twist hair can minimize damage.

On a deeper level, as a high percentage of hair loss is caused by changes in hormone levels, it is beneficial to use alternative treatments that help to balance these hormones, such as herbs that stimulate the body into producing its own hormones again. Oftentimes the most effective and safest solution is to combine lifestyle adjustments with alternative treatments.

For extreme cases, there are medications or hair transplant surgeries available, but care should be taken as these can be risky and side effects are commonplace.

Most experts recommend that women who suffer from hair loss and wish to treat it begin with lifestyle changes, then move onto alternative medicines (ideally combining the two) and finally, look to drugs or surgery if nothing else seems to work. Click the following link to learn specific treatments for hair loss during menopause in these three categories.

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