What You Need to Know About Hair Loss After Menopause

You may be expecting the hot flashes or moodiness. You might even be prepared for weight gain. But many women aren’t aware that menopause can bring about changes in their hair, including thinning and hair loss. 

At NeoGraft Hair Restoration in Westport, Connecticut, Dr. Dana Brownell and her team understand how closely linked your self-confidence and your hair can be. We know that with all of the other issues that menopause can cause, hair loss can be the proverbial straw on the camel’s back. 

That’s one of many reasons we offer comprehensive hair restoration services for women. 

Why women lose hair around menopause

The answer to the question of why hair loss happens is more complex than most people realize. It could be one of several underlying issues, or a combination of them. 

For example, for some women, hair loss is genetic. Your DNA is coded in such a way that your follicles stop producing as much hair over time. 

Another common reason is that your body produces less estrogen after menopause. Estrogen can help protect your hair. Estrogen and progesterone, another hormone, help your hair grow more quickly, and as they lessen, your body may produce more androgens, which tend to shrink hair follicles.

If you’ve spent years using tools like curling irons, or harsh chemicals on your hair, you may begin to see hair loss as a result. Certain medications can contribute to hair loss, as well.

Some women have hair loss because of vitamin deficiencies. You may want to have blood work done so that you can know for sure if you’re lacking any essential vitamins or minerals. 

The pattern

You probably know what male pattern baldness is, but have you ever heard of female pattern hair loss? In women, the part usually becomes wider, and hair becomes thinner at the crown of the head.

Many women also notice that their hair is more brittle or more difficult to style and their scalp is drier. These can happen for the same reasons as hair loss. 

What you can do

You don’t have to live with thinning hair, and the sooner you take steps to slow the hair loss, the better your results are likely to be. You may want to try some simple things, like taking vitamin supplements if you have deficiencies. 

You may also want to try over-the-counter products like topical minoxidil. The best thing to do, though, is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Brownell who may suggest medications, platelet-rich plasma therapy, or a hair restoration procedure.

Although many women experience hair loss leading up to or after menopause, you can do something about it. Schedule your consultation at NeoGraft Hair Restoration today and learn about your options.