We’ve all heard about the hot flashes and mood changes that can come with menopause, but those are not the only symptoms you may encounter. The various symptoms of perimenopause and menopause affect each woman differently. Some women even experience thinning hair. Hair loss during menopause is not a sign that something is medically wrong, but it can be startling to many women. 

At Chapel Hill Gynecology, we have spent years guiding women through menopause and its symptoms. For some women, this also includes understanding that thinning hair is normal. Let’s look at why menopausal hair loss happens and what can be done to treat it.

Why it Happens

Hormonal fluctuations are responsible for hair loss during perimenopause and menopause. Estrogen and progesterone keep the hair in the growing phase, making it grow faster and stay on the head longer. When estrogen and progesterone levels decline, hair growth slows, and hair loss becomes more pronounced. 

Also, the body produces more androgens during perimenopause and menopause in response to the loss of estrogen and progesterone. Androgens shrink hair follicles, which causes hair loss on the head. Interestingly, androgens can also increase hair growth on other body parts, such as the face.

How Common is It?

Female hair loss is a common condition, especially in the years surrounding menopause. According to the Cleveland Clinic, it is estimated that over 50% of women experience hair loss. Age, diet, ethnicity, and genetic factors influence your chances of experiencing hair loss, including during and after menopause.

Symptoms to Look For

Because we lose hair every day regardless of age or health, it can be difficult to tell when actual hair loss begins. Eventually, the signs are more noticeable. If you see more hair fall out daily than usual, it might be time to talk to your doctor about hair loss during menopause.

Look at your hairbrush, on your pillow, in the sink, on the floor, and in the shower to check for excess hair loss. If you regularly wear your hair in a ponytail, you may notice the ponytail reducing size. The place where your hair parts at the top of your head may get wider or become more visible as the hair thins. Also, you may see more breakage than usual.

What Can I Do?

If you experience hair loss during menopause, you can talk to your Certified Menopause Practitioner about your options for treatment. From there, your medical professional can help you find a solution paired directly with your body’s specific needs. 

Quick Aesthetic Fixes

If you want a quick fix to camouflage thinning hair while looking at treatment options, there are several things you can try. Hairstylists often recommend that women with thinning hair try a shorter haircut because long hair can make fine hair more noticeable. Shorter cuts like a bob or a pixie are popular, as are layers that add volume and bangs to add texture. Some women wear hats when looking for a change that does not include a new hairstyle.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Because hormones play a part in hair loss during menopause, hormone treatments can be beneficial. Perimenopausal and menopausal women undergoing hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormone pellets may notice an improvement in hair growth during treatment. However, women should use HRT to treat multiple symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Using hormone replacement therapy to treat only hair loss is not recommended.

Minoxidil

Minoxidil, commonly known as Rogaine, is often prescribed for men and women with hair loss. This medication is a vasodilator that widens the blood vessels to increase blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. It is available over the counter or in prescription strength and comes in a spray, liquid solution, and foam form. Minoxidil must be used continuously to maintain hair growth.

Antiandrogens

Antiandrogen drugs like spironolactone are sometimes prescribed for loss or excess hair on the face and body. These drugs are usually given in conjunction with a topical treatment like minoxidil.

Red Light Treatment

LED light therapies stimulate hair regrowth by targeting biochemical processes in the scalp. REVIAN RED uses two wavelengths of light to renew the cells responsible for hair growth. The treatment is given via a wireless light cap that connects to a mobile app where you can track the treatments. Treatments take just 10 minutes each day. Chapel Hill Gynecology has an affiliate program that allows patients to get the REVIAN device at a discounted price.

Make an Appointment

If you have questions or concerns about the symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, Dr. Karen Clark of Chapel Hill Gynecology can help. As a Certified Menopause Practitioner of the North American Menopause Society, Dr. Clark is an expert in managing the symptoms of menopause and perimenopause with both hormonal and non-hormonal methods. To make an appointment, call (919) 960-2720.