Hair Loss

Hair Loss: A Common Symptom of Menopause

Most people are aware of the issue of male hair loss or thinning hair. It is not common knowledge, however, that many women also suffer from hair loss. It is estimated that hair loss affects 1 in 5 women. On average, we lose about 50-100 hairs each day as new hair growth is constantly generated by the hair follicles. If more hair is lost than can be replaced, you eventually begin to suffer from thinning hair and, over time, baldness.

Although there are many conditions that increase the rate of hair loss for women, the most common underlying cause is menopausal hormone imbalance.

Hair and Scalp Symptoms of Menopause

• Hair falls out in large clumps when washing and/or brushing
• Small bald patches on the scalp
• Oily and itchy scalp
• Hair thinning on front, sides or top of head

Hair Loss and Menopause

Hair loss during menopause is directly related to fluctuating and diminishing hormone levels. Unfortunately, half of all menopausal women experience some level of hair loss. Hair is associated with femininity, sexuality, and individual sense of style. Because of this, hair loss is one of the most frustrating symptoms of menopause for women.

Hormones and Hair Loss

The two major hormones that affect hair growth are estrogen and testosterone. One major cause of hair loss caused by fluctuating hormone levels is alopecia. There are two types of alopecia:

• Estrogenic alopecia: Estrogen is important for hair growth and healthy, thick hair. Estrogenic alopecia is caused by low levels of estrogen and is most common in women experiencing menopause.

• Androgenic alopecia: A variety of genetic and possibly environmental factors play a role in androgenic alopecia. Androgenic alopecia is caused by a genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to a hormone called dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone causes follicles to shrink and, in turn, shortens the lifespan of the follicle and prevents normal hair production.

Your Solution: Treatment of Hair Loss with Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy For Women

Although aging is a common cause of hair loss, other major factors include hormonal imbalance, stress, medications and hair care products. The appropriate treatment for hair loss can be provided once the underlying cause(s) are known. Hormone levels should be tested to determine if the hormones responsible for hair growth and health have been affected. If testing reveals that these hormones are functioning at a suboptimal level, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy can be utilized to improve and maintain a healthy head of hair.