Time inexorably rushes forward, forcing our bodies to age. However, the processes that age brings have already been studied enough to be surprised by the tides during menopause or gray hair (lack of pigment in the hair). However, there is a phenomenon that is characteristic of menopause, but it is not so actively discussed, – hair loss.
This unpleasant companion of menopause does not at all indicate any pathologies, but only confirms that hormonal changes have begun in the body that our hair feels so subtle.
Causes of hair loss with menopause
The main reason is the change in the ratio of male and female hormones in the body of a woman. Before menopause, female hormones (estrogens) prevail in the body, but with menopause, the picture changes and now androgens (male hormones) are in the lead.
Of course, this shift in the body of a woman leads to a huge number of changes, not only to androgenetic alopecia (AHA), i.e. male hair loss. Here, it is necessary to say about heredity, because not every woman in this period suffers from hair loss.
Many concomitant reasons can be listed, for example, thyroid dysfunction, and stress (follicle nutrition worsens under its influence), which are very characteristic of menopause. As for hair loss during menopause precisely because of the hormonal shift, it should be noted that it occurs in the active phase of menopause, and this suggests that it will pass over time. However, women are very worried about their appearance and are far from always ready to come to terms with such processes.
How to treat hair loss with menopause
Modern medicine offers short-term hormone replacement therapy, in other words, the right dose of estrogen is prescribed. This method is applicable only after consulting a doctor.
This therapy can not only affect the cause of hair loss, and stop this process, but also affects many other aspects, positively affects a woman’s mood, and eliminates such menopause symptoms: as hot flashes, drowsiness, and depression.
However, hormones are hormones, and treatment with such radical methods is quite dangerous and can only be prescribed by a doctor.
Alternative method: local action on follicles with potassium channel activators (minoxidine, minoxidil, aminexil). In this case, you locally affect only the follicles, which does not have a systemic effect.
The lotion contains an activator of potassium channels – monoxide, which is aimed at stimulating the hair papilla by improving blood circulation. Another important component of the lotion is nettle extract, which is a natural antiandrogen that neutralizes DHT (dihydrotestosterone, which has a destructive effect on the hair).
So in the Minox lotion, there are 2 components that stop hair loss and stimulate the growth of new hair.
The use of hormones and activators of potassium channels can be combined to achieve the most positive result. Hormones will eliminate the root cause – an imbalance in hormones, and potassium channel activators stimulate the growth of new hair.
All possible general tips for combating hair loss remain relevant for menopausal hair loss, they will help reduce the negative effects of lifestyle and the environment.
All scientists in case of hair loss call to fight stress (yoga or sedatives – each has its own remedy), be sure to change the sedentary lifestyle, adding sports to the daily routine. We are what we eat.
A balanced diet, a complex of vitamins and minerals, the absence of trans fats (focus on healthy fats: fatty fish, sunflower and flax seeds, pumpkin seeds), and dietary glycation end products (fried meat and potatoes also contain carcinogens).
Healthy sleep is a universal medicine in many situations and a guarantee of strong nerves and a good mood. Proper hair care(avoid chlorinated water, buy a mild shampoo and a suitable balm/mask, a good comb is also very important, rubbing oils (for example, jojoba and rosemary) will help solve the problem of lack of vitamins and useful nutrients and stimulate blood circulation, do regular head massage).
Ways to combat hair loss during menopause are not much different from the general methods that are used for hair loss in other periods of life. However, it is worth emphasizing that the situation can be exacerbated by diseases and infections.
At the same time, it is necessary to understand such a point that menopause itself is not a disease that needs to be treated, during this period the body redistributes its functions, and your task is to help it, given the problematic issues that may arise.
Keep in mind that hair, like nails, is nourished according to the residual principle, i.e. if there are problems in the body – inflammation, for example, then first all the nutrients will be directed to eliminate it, and only what is left if left, will be addressed to the hair. It follows from this that it is unnecessary to exhaust oneself with diets during menopause.
Nutrition must be proper and healthy. You can eat six times a day and gain less weight than once a week. If being overweight (by the way, androgens accumulate in fats and they can be another reason for hair loss) is very worrying, it is better to consult a nutritionist and take advantage of fractional nutrition, rather than go on exhausting diets.
Watch yourself as all the phenomena in the body that can trigger the process of hair loss, be it stress or lack of sleep, do not work instantly. If you notice that the hair began to flow in, be sure to analyze what could be the trigger mechanism for you, for this, analyze the last 2-3 months.
Menopause is a predictable period in the life of every woman, not a diagnosis. In the female body, processes occur that, as a rule, negatively affect both the hair and skin and the psychological state.
But the main thing is that this period is predictable and it is simply necessary to respond in time to the body’s request for help, support it, and not vice versa exhaust it with diets and lack of sleep.
Each woman is unique, no one, only she herself is able to understand her body. Therefore, if you notice a thinning of the hair, adjust your lifestyle so that it becomes the most useful and enjoyable for you and, perhaps, there will be no need to use hormones.
