Menopausal hair loss: Is it reversible?

Best menopausal hair loss treatments, West Malling, Kent

Menopause is a time of extreme hormonal changes that cause a huge variety of symptoms, affecting everything from our mood to our hair. In fact, menopausal hair loss and thinning is a prevalent issue – around 40% of women will experience some form of hair loss as their hormone levels fluctuate. And, despite this statistic, hair loss is still one of the many symptoms of the menopause that often gets swept under the carpet, although it can be devastating for women experiencing it. Here, we look at the best ways to tackle the issue.

How does menopause affect your hair?

As you approach the menopause, the hormone oestrogen, responsible for prolonging the growth phase of hair, gradually decreases while androgen production increases, causing hair follicles to shrink. This combination of changes can slow hair growth and result in thinning and hair loss. Other factors that may contribute to hair thinning include stress, poor nutrition, excessive heat styling, certain medications, and both low and high levels of thyroid hormones. Women going through menopause may experience a worsening of hair loss due to any of these factors, and it is often caused by a combination of underlying issues.

What are the symptoms of menopausal hair?

The average age for women to experience menopause in the UK is 51. However, perimenopause – the period when your body starts the transition – can start in our early 40s, and symptoms can be so gradual that we don’t always recognise them. It’s common for the volume and condition of the hair to worsen during this time, with some women noticing that the hair doesn’t grow as much or as quickly as it once used to. Some women will experience more extreme hair loss, with thinning at the crown of the head, the sides, or a more general thinning of hair all over the head. This is described as female pattern hair loss.

What can we do about it?

If you’ve noticed that your hair is thinning, the first course of action should be to schedule an appointment with your doctor. They can help determine the underlying cause of your hair loss and rule out any health issues with a simple blood test to check for nutritional deficiencies or thyroid problems.

It may also be worth looking to the Trichotest – a genetic test that analyses various genetic variations, lifestyle factors, and research on hair loss treatments to recommend the best options, including topical, oral, or surgical solutions.

In addition to genetic testing and medical treatment, taking steps to reduce stress, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid excessive heat styling can all help improve the overall health of your hair. However, if hormonal imbalances are the root cause of your hair loss, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) is likely to be the most effective solution for halting hair loss.

Exploring Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Our whole body is made up of a delicate system of hormones and, behind the scenes of every bodily function is a hormone that’s driving it. So, when these hormones fall out of balance, issues will start to occur such as mood swings, skin problems or hair loss.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) aims to restore hormonal balance by supplementing the hormones with bioidentical replacements that mimic those produced by the body. BHRT can effectively counteract menopausal changes by restoring the balance in the endocrine system, and reducing menopausal symptoms.

Typically, BHRT treatment begins with a blood test to measure hormone levels, followed by rebalancing with bioidentical versions of hormones like progesterone, testosterone, and oestrogen, to restore optimum levels for optimal functioning.

BHRT is advantageous as it resets hormone-related issues like weight gain, ageing skin, poor cognitive function, and hair loss, thereby improving overall well-being and confidence.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, and would like to learn more about the options, click here to find out more or to make an appointment.