How The Menopause Affects Your Hair

Menopause And Hair Loss

Hair loss is more likely when you reach menopause and as you go through postmenopause although your hair can become brittle from perimenopause onwards. For most women their hair is an important part of their self-image. It’s also something that we usually have control over and make choices about. Whether it’s the length, style or colour, the decision is ours. So if you lose control over what happens to your hair it can be a difficult thing to cope with and can make you lose self-confidence.

We all lose between 50-100 head hairs each day. That goes for men too. When a man loses a lot more hair due to male pattern baldness it’s more dramatic in effect than when a woman loses more hair than usual. 

The usual cause for extra hair loss in women at menopause and during postmenopause is the lowered oestrogen and progesterone levels. These hormones promote strong and healthy hair growth and help to keep the hair on the scalp for longer. So the drop in hormone levels leads to slower growth and a shorter life span of individual hairs. If hair is growing at a slower rate but falling out at a faster rate than previously you will see signs of hair loss such as thinning.

Some women notice that their parting has become wider and their hair is generally thinner all over. Most noticeably on the top and the sides. It’s also possible to get bald patches on the scalp, although this is less common. Women who experience hair loss may also notice more hair on their pillow or more hair loss than previously when washing or brushing their hair.

Other Factors

There are other factors that can lead to hair loss. Persistently high stress levels, poor nutrition and poor hydration, lack of exercise and lack of sleep can all have a negative effect on your hair and make hair loss more likely. 

Hair loss can also be caused by some medicines, illness and some health conditions, so if you’re unsure of the cause of your increased hair loss, or you would like to discuss it with a professional, then see your doctor for help and advice. You could also consult a Trichologist. Trichologists are hair and scalp specialists who can diagnose the cause of hair loss and also give the relevant treatment and advice. You can find a Trichologist near you by looking online or your doctor may be able to recommend one to you.

So will your menopause hair loss grow back? Is your menopause hair loss permanent or only temporary? 

Some women do find that their hair loss decreases, or their hair condition improves once their hormone levels have stabilised, but unfortunately it’s not guaranteed. Take at look at my Tips And Tricks Section at the end of this article for a range of things that you can do to help get your hair back to its former glory.

Dry, Brittle Hair In Perimenopause And Menopause

The lowering of oestrogen levels can also cause hair to become weaker and to grow at a slower rate than before. Hair can become brittle, snapping off more easily and more prone to frizzing. 

The rise in androgen levels during perimenopause and postmenopause also affect the hair. Androgens such as testosterone are commonly thought of as male only hormones but they naturally occur in women’s bodies too. While the increase in androgen levels won’t necessarily decrease the number of hairs that grow on your scalp it can alter the thickness, texture and growing length of your hair. This means that new replacement hairs are finer, weaker and more prone to brittleness and breakage.

During your middle and later years it’s not only your hormones that can have a negative effect on your hair. Aging naturally changes your hair colour and texture. Grey hair is generally more coarse and wiry compared to pre-grey hair. Then there’s the years of drying and styling your hair, which all take their toll. Heat from hair dryers and styling irons, chemicals in hair colourants all cause damage over time.

There are simple steps that you can take to improve the look and texture of your hair. Take a look at my Tips and Tricks Section at the end of this article for a range of things that you can do to improve the look and condition of your hair. 

Perimenopause And Menopause Effects On Other Body Hair

The fluctuation of a woman’s hormone levels during perimenopause, and the stable but lower levels during postmenopause, don’t just affect head hair. Hair growth on other parts of the body can be affected too.

The way that other body hair is affected varies from woman to woman. Some women find that they have more hair growth on their bodies than previously. Not just underarms, legs and bikini line, but arms, torso and face too. This means that a lot more time and effort is involved in keeping it under control. It can also cause feelings of embarrassment or anxiety, particularly if the increased hair growth appears on the face. 

On the other hand, some women often find that the growth of their body hair slows or even stops on some parts of their body. The need to shave/wax their legs, underarms or bikini line becomes less frequent or is no longer needed at all.

It’s worth noting that normal aging also affects the way that body hair grows, just the same as it does the hair on our heads. Even pubic hair thins out with age. And like our head hair it also turns grey.

Personally I haven’t experienced any hair loss from my head but I’m still in perimenopause as far as I can tell. I have however noticed a strange thing about slow hair growth on other parts of my body. I haven’t had to shave my legs for over a year. Apart for an odd bristle on my knees that’s all I’ve had. Now my underarm hair growth is slowing down too. This sounds good but it makes me a little worried about what’s going to happen to the hair on my head when I reach menopause. So I’m now treating my head hair more gently and with a lot more care in an effort to avoid extra hair loss.

Unwanted Hair Growth In Menopause

Loss of head hair is not the only hairy problem that women can experience. Hair growth in places that you don’t want it can also be a problem. Hair growth on the face, most often on the chin and upper lip, can be caused by the dominance of androgens, particularly testosterone. Because your levels of oestrogen and progesterone stay low after you reach menopause androgens become more dominant than previously. Androgens can cause the hair follicles to shrink but can also cause unwanted hair to sprout.

Unwanted hair growth on your body is probably easier to cope with than excess facial hair. After all, you’ve probably been removing leg hairs and other body hairs for years, so you know what works for you. It’s also easier to cover up body hair when life has been so hectic you haven’t had time to pamper yourself as much as you would like to. 

Unwanted facial hair, on the other hand, is not so easily disguised and it can’t be covered up by your clothing. The growth of excess hair on your face can also cause feelings of embarrassment, anxiety and loss of self confidence.

So how can you get rid of unwanted facial hair? There are several remedies for dealing with excess facial hair. Whether you choose to camouflage it, remove it, or slow its growth its worth getting the advice of your doctor before you make your choice.

Tips For Unwanted Hair Growth

Below are some treatments that are used to treat unwanted facial hair

• Tweezers – if you only get an odd rogue hair on your chin or upper lip you can remove it with tweezers. It won’t make the hair multiply or grow back thicker and is quick and easy to do. Use a magnifying mirror when you remove the hair. It makes it so much easier to see what you’re doing and you’ll be sure you’re only pulling out the hair that you need to remove.

• Bleaching Cream – if you would rather camouflage the hair, particularly if it’s soft but dark in colour, you can use a facial hair bleaching cream. They are widely available over the counter in pharmacies and other stores. Always read and follow the instructions for use and safety before you apply the cream.

• Waxing or Threading – both of these methods remove the hair but it’s possible that the hair might grow back thicker or coarser over time.

• Topical Cream – your doctor can prescribe a cream that will slow down the growth of facial hair and will also be able to give you further help and advice.

• Facial Hair Removal Creams – these are widely available in pharmacies and other stores but always read and follow the use and safety instructions.

• Electrolysis – this treatment removes the hair and destroys the hair follicle, either by using a small electrical current or heat. You can have this done professionally but there are kits you can buy to do it yourself at home. If you opt for doing it yourself make sure you follow the instructions and safety guidelines

• Facial Hair Removal Gadgets – there are a wide variety of gadgets that you can buy that claim to remove facial hair safely and painlessly. You’ve probably seen some of them advertised on TV. If you’re considering buying one of these it’s a good idea to do a bit of research first and buy one from a reputable company who has proven results through clinical trials. You may also have friends or family members that can recommend one to you.

• Laser Removal – this needs to be carried out by a trained professional so it’s a good idea to get your doctor to recommend one to you, or do some research to find a reputable clinic in your area. Bear in mind though that laser hair removal only works on dark hair. If the hairs are fair or have turned grey they won’t be suitable for laser treatment.

Tips and Tricks For Healthy Hair

Both hair loss and brittle hair can be caused by low oestrogen and progesterone levels. These levels stay low for the rest of your life once you reach menopause. While some women do find that their hair improves a few years into postmenopause, it’s not a guaranteed thing. However, there are lots of things you can do to promote healthy growth and improve the condition and look of your hair. Try the Tips and Tricks below and you should see an improvement.

A healthy diet will help hair condition and healthy growth. Omega-3 fatty acids that are found in oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines are particularly good for keeping your hair full and shiny. Walnuts, eggs and soy will also add Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet. The body doesn’t make its own Omega-3 fatty acids so we need to get it from our food or from supplements. 

Protein is important for hair growth. It’s considered a building block for hair. If you don’t have enough protein in your diet your hair growth can slow down or even stop. So if the older hairs are falling out and the new growth has slowed or stopped you will experience hair loss.

A good source of protein is lean poultry. Chicken breasts are rich in protein but lower in fats than red meat. You can also get protein into your diet from soy, quinoa, humus, rice, beans and nuts. There a lot more foods which contain a good level of protein. Do a little research and try a few new recipes.

Cinnamon is another recommendation for healthy hair that I came across. Cinnamon is said to stimulate blood flow. Blood flow is what brings oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles. Cinnamon is also said to help lower blood sugar levels and help to reduce heart disease factors. You can use powdered cinnamon in your baking or sprinkle it on porridge or yogurt. 

Spinach and kale, like all dark green leafy vegetables, contain a variety of nutrients such as Vitamin A, iron, beta carotene, folate and Vitamin C. This combination of nutrients is good for a healthy scalp and healthy hair. They help to keep your hair moisturised and so less prone to brittleness and breakage. 

Sweet potatoes are another good source of beta carotene. Your body turns beta carotene into the Vitamin A that helps the glands in your scalp to make sebum. Sebum is an oily liquid that helps to stop your hair from drying out and becoming dull and brittle.

Vitamins and food supplements are a good way to make sure that you are getting the right nutrients alongside eating a healthy diet. Make sure that you are getting the correct amount of iron in your diet as low iron levels can affect the hair follicles. Check the dosage though as too much iron in your diet can cause health problems. There are supplements that are aimed at healthy hair and healthy hair growth in particular, so ask your pharmacist for a recommendation or some advice.

Special shampoos that are formulated to improve the texture and fullness of your hair are widely available. It’s best to go for a well known and trusted brand that’s had its effectiveness proven by clinical trials. It can be difficult to choose and you may have to try more than one to find something that works for you. Ask for some advice from your pharmacist, doctor or trichologist. 

See my recommended products to help with dry, brittle hair.

Be kind to your hair and scalp you will be protecting them from further damage. You will also notice a difference in the condition or your hair. Try the tips below:

• Use a gentle, soft hair brush. Some hard plastic brushes tug and snag your hair causing damage and breakage.

• Wash your hair using a gentle shampoo that is gentle on both your hair and scalp. Use a good quality conditioner on your hair. Apply extra conditioner to the ends especially if your hair is prone to dry, split ends. Don’t wash the conditioner off straight away – leave it on for a few minutes for a deeper condition. You can buy deep conditioning treatments and oils. If your hair is very dry/damaged treat yourself to a deep conditioning treatment once a week. A little bit of pampering is lovely and you should find that the condition of your hair improves.

• Hair dryers, straighteners and curling tongs dry the oils/moisture out. The intense heat causes weakening and damage. We all like to look good when we leave the house but too much washing and styling will have the opposite effect on your hair.

Now that I work from home more I style my hair far less than I used to. If I’m not going out or I’m just going to pop to the postbox I leave my hair as it is. I can honestly say that the condition of my hair has improved. My hairdresser has commented on it too. So if it’s really not necessary for you to get the hair straighteners or curling tongs out for a bit of a tidy up, give your hair a day off. You will notice a difference even after a few weeks.

• Heat protection sprays are invaluable for those of us who use a hairdryer, straighteners or curling tongs etc. Treat yourself to a good quality one that is designed to protect your hair from high temperature styling gadgets. It will help minimise damage and hair breakage. If you use hairspray to set your finished style choose a conditioning one. Any extra  conditioning or protection for your hair is a bonus.

• Hair colourants and dyes can do wonders for your self-image and confidence not to mention camouflaging those grey hairs. Unfortunately they can be harsh on the hair and scalp. If you colour your hair at home it’s worth asking your hairdresser for advice on what to avoid in store bought colourants/dyes. They are usually happy to give help and advice and will often recommend a product. Having your hair coloured at your hairdresser’s is more expensive but you will get the benefit of professional products and someone who knows your hair.

Get a new style – If your hair has become thinner or your parting has widened due to hair loss you can improve the look of your hair by changing your hairstyle. A wider parting can be camouflaged by choosing a more ruffled style that has no parting at all. Hair that has thinned can be made to look thicker and fuller by clever cutting. Your hairdresser will be able to help you choose a new style that suits you and makes the most of your hair. If you’d rather keep your hair long ask your hairdresser for some ideas of how to pin it up to create a fuller look. Your friends and family might have some style tips to share with you too.

Scalp massage stimulates the blood flow to the scalp and improves its circulation. Massaging your scalp helps to get the nutrients into your hair follicles. It is also a great way to relieve stress (especially if someone else is doing the massaging for you). Certain essential oils massaged into the scalp are believed to have a beneficial effect on hair growth – aloe vera, coconut oil and rosemary oil are a few examples. The oil will also help to moisturise your scalp and you will smell lovely too. 

Swimming is a great aerobic exercise and regular exercise is important in perimenopause, menopause and beyond. Unfortunately chlorine is harsh on your hair and can be damaging. Wearing a swimming cap will help to protect your hair. However, pool water can get under your cap depending on your swimming style. So whether you wear a swimming cap or choose not to you need wash out the chlorine as soon as your swim is over and don’t forget to condition your hair too.

Sun and wind can be damaging to your hair. Protect it from the sun by wearing a broad brimmed sun hat. If it’s a cold blustery day you can protect your hair from the wind either by wearing a hat or putting the hood of your coat up.

Sleep is good for all your bodily functions. It gives our body the chance to repair itself. Sleep also helps to rebalance hormones, reduce stress and is good for your hair. See my article ‘Menopause Sleep Problems And Fatigue’ for information about sleep problems plus some Tips and Tricks to help you get a good night’s rest. 

Stress can affect your body’s ability to absorb the nutrients from your food. The stress hormone cortisol interferes with the way your digestive system works and makes it less efficient. Poor absorption of nutrients will have a negative effect on your hair. See my article ‘Digestive Problems In Menopause’for more information about how cortisol affects your digestion and for some Tips and Tricks on digestive problems.

A healthy diet, fresh air and exercise all help you to reduce your stress levels. It’s also important to have time to wind down and relax. Whenever possible avoid situations that you find stressful. If you don’t have to do it, then don’t. I know that’s not always possible so try to take a break from the situation. Go and get some fresh air and breathe deeply for a few minutes. It will help you to relax a little.