There are more than thirty different symptoms associated with menopause, affecting everything from our mood to our hair. In fact, menopausal hair loss and thinning is a prevalent issue – around 40% of women will experience some form of hair loss as their hormone levels fluctuate. And, despite this statistic, hair loss is still one of the many symptoms of the menopause that often gets swept under the carpet, but it can be devastating for women experiencing it. Here, we look at the best ways to tackle the issue.

How does menopause affect your hair?

In the lead up to menopause, our oestrogen levels, the hormone that keeps hair in the growth phase for longer, naturally starts to decline. At the same time, the production of androgens increases, which causes hair follicles to shrink. It’s this combination that can lead to slower hair growth, thinning and overall hair loss.

There are also other factors to consider. Stress is a common cause of hair thinning, as is poor nutrition, excessive heat styling and certain types of medication. And, both low and high thyroid levels can cause the hair to become dry and brittle before eventually, it begins to shed. For women going through the menopause, hair loss can be worsened by any of these issues, and often, hair loss is down to a combination of underlying factors.

What are the symptoms of menopausal hair?

The average age for women to experience menopause in the UK is 51. However, perimenopause – the period when your body starts the transition – can start in our early 40s, and symptoms can be so gradual that we don’t always recognise them. It’s common for the volume and condition of the hair to worsen during this time, with some women noticing that the hair doesn’t grow as much or as quickly as it once used to. Some women will experience more extreme hair loss, with thinning at the crown of the head, the sides, or a more general thinning of hair all over the head. This is described as female pattern hair loss.

What can we do about it?

If you have noticed that your hair is starting to thin or shed more frequently, the first step is to make an appointment with your doctor to get to the route of the problem and rule out any underlying health conditions. A simple blood test can confirm whether your hair loss is down to a nutritional deficiency or thyroid issue.

The Trichotest, a genetic test for hair loss, analyses a variety of genetic variations, lifestyle factors and literature related to hair loss treatment to suggest the most appropriate treatment options through topical, oral or surgical solutions.

Reducing stress, making sure your diet is balanced and healthy, and avoiding overuse of heated tools can all improve the health of your hair. But, if your hair loss results from fluctuating hormones, Bio-Identical Hormone Therapy (BHRT) is likely to be the most effective treatment for stopping hair loss in its tracks.

Exploring Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT)

Our whole body is made up of a delicate system of hormones and, behind the scenes of every bodily function is a hormone that’s driving it. So, when these hormones fall out of balance, issues will start to occur. Initially, this may affect your mood or how you’re feeling generally, but it can also lead to problems on the surface with our skin or hair.

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) works by supplementing your hormones with bioidentical replacements that have the same chemical structure as those produced in the body. With the help of BHRT we can counteract menopausal changes by restoring the balance in the endocrine system. Once the balance of these hormones has been restored, the menopausal symptoms will be significantly reduced.

The process usually begins with a blood test to measure your hormone levels before rebalancing them using bio-identical versions of hormones like progesterone, testosterone, and oestrogen, restoring optimum levels so you’re firing on all cylinders.

The beauty of BHRT is that it’s like pressing a reset button, in which hormone-related impacts such as weight gain, ageing skin, poor brain function and hair loss are all reduced, restoring your confidence and overall wellbeing.

If you’re experiencing hair loss, a consultation with one of our expert practitioners can put you on the right path for treatment. Click here to find out more or to make an appointment.