Are hair loss and menopause inter-related? According to research conducted, it has been found that patterns of baldness emerge while a woman is going through and after menopause. The reason for this is the hormone estrogen. A woman’s body produces both estrogen and testosterone. Normally the great amounts of estrogen produced protect the body from the effects of testosterone. But after menopause, the level of estrogen drops by a large margin. Testosterone combines with an enzyme called Alpha 5 reductase and creates DHT. It is DHT that causes hair loss in women.
Apart from a drop in estrogen there are other factors that contribute to hair loss during menopause. Along with estrogen, another female hormone called progesterone also drops. Illness, genes, stress levels and hormone imbalance also play a big role in hair loss. Ironically, though women may lose hair during menopause, they might gain excessive facial hair. For many women this can be quite distressing and damaging to their self image. There are a number of ways women can counter hair loss and menopause.
Getting medical treatment is one such option. Talk to your doctor about your problem. Most doctors prescribe certain hormonal treatments and changes to lifestyle. Apart from hair loss, menopause has many other symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, insomnia and sensitive skin. Hormonal treatments help to reduce these symptoms by increasing the level of estrogen to the level it was before the onset of menopause. An increase in estrogen keeps the level of testosterone and DHT under control as well, thereby preventing hair loss.
Spironolactone and minoxidil are two drugs that can be taken to counter the hair loss and menopause. Spironolactone works by reducing the amount of testosterone produced by the body. With less testosterone, less DHT is produced, which in turn means, less hair fall. Before using any of these drugs, you must consult with your doctor as they may have side effects. Other medical choices are steroids of a low dose and a drug normally used for Type 2 diabetes called metformin.
Lifestyle changes could also help to combat hair loss and menopause. Green tea has been known to be beneficial for all-round health. A healthy and well balanced diet with an adequate amount of vitamins and minerals is very important for healthy hair. Folic acid, Vitamins A, B6 and B12 are especially important for hair. These vitamins can be found in foods like liver, fish, eggs, dairy products and poultry. Foods such as spinach, avocado, beetroot and broccoli are rich in folic acid. If stressed, one should practice relaxation techniques like breathing and stretching exercises. Adequate sleep and exercise also help combat not only hair loss but also all the other symptoms of menopause.
Though hair loss and menopause are connected you can treat both with medicines and changes in lifestyle. Other tips for the prevention of hair loss are the use of a good shampoo and conditioner. A short, layered haircut works in giving hair more volume. Usage of harsh chemicals and heated hair dryers and straighteners should be avoided as they damage hair.