The menopause is something all women will go through as part of the natural ageing process. The body slows down the production of oestrogen, essential to hair growth and how long the hair will grow.
So, as these hormones decline the hair will grow slower and the follicle will produce finer hair. Unfortunately, another effect of this reduced production of oestrogen is an increase in androgens, a group of male hormones that miniaturise the hair follicle preventing it from forming strong, thick hair. Androgens can also, in some cases cause a female to produce facial hair.
If you have a family history of balding you may have genetically hypersensitive follicles to these androgens and this could accelerate the balding process causing loss of density through the parting area, following the pattern for Female Pattern Hair Loss, FPHL.
Hot flushes, insomnia, mood swings and raised anxiety levels are all symptoms that women of around 45-55 years of age can expect to experience.
Not much fun! So, what can be done to help these symptoms?
- Talk to your doctor. They can investigate with a blood test as to what is really going on with your hormones and perhaps prescribe some medication. HRT can slow this process down, but in others it can worsen the condition.
- Eat right. A well-balanced diet will provide the best foundation for the body to function its best. The right nutrients will nourish the hair follicle. If any deficiencies are found supplementation could be helpful to improve hair growth.
- Exercise. Go for a brisk walk, or join a gym, whatever you do to move more will help control any weight gain and a fit body sleeps better, improving insomnia.
- Take up yoga. This can alleviate stress and some poses that see the head inverted will improve blood supply to the scalp and bring more oxygen and nutrients to the follicle.
- Have a course of low-level light therapy. Proven to increase blood flow to the follicle and has no side effects, it is also good for skin renewal so could help with those wrinkles!
- Have a restyle. Ask your hairdresser for advice on what the current trends are, and which styles can be adapted to give you a new youthful look that works with your changing hair type. Thickening and volumising products can help to give a fuller style. There are many products from fibres to coloured sprays to disguise any thinning.
- A cold water massage to the scalp after shampooing can also improve blood circulation to the scalp. Rinse hair with water as cold as it can be and then massage your scalp for a minute, repeat four times. Best done out of the shower unless you’re into that… brrrr!!
- Wearing a wig can dramatically change your look. Giving you a more youthful look. Having the wig fitted professionally will give you the best advice on how to wear and care for the wig.
- Clip-in hair pieces or toppers help add density and can be styled with your own.
- Scalp stimulators can help regenerate the follicle producing great hair growth and preventing further hair loss.
