Menopause
How To Handle Menopausal Hair Loss
Many people think of hair loss as a male problem, but it can greatly affect women, too. In fact, more than half of women experience hair loss after menopause. Hair loss can be a troubling concern as it can take a serious toll on our self-esteem. Fortunately, there are things we can do to address it. Let’s explore why menopausal hair loss happens and what can be done to treat it.
What Causes Hair Loss
The first step to addressing menopausal hair loss is understanding why it happens. Research suggests that a hormonal imbalance contributes to hair loss during menopause. As we go through menopause, our estrogen levels decline. Estrogen is found in the hair follicles and is responsible for helping hair grow faster and stronger. When levels of estrogen drop, hair growth slows, and loss can become an issue. At the same time, levels of male hormones (androgens) increase, which can lead to unwanted hair growth in other areas like the face.
It’s important to note that other factors can cause hair loss such as a thyroid condition, stress, PCOS, anemia, autoimmune diseases, and other environmental factors or dietary factors. For this reason, working with your health care provider can help to determine the root cause of your hair loss.
Symptoms To Look For
We naturally lose some hair every day, but the signs of menopausal hair loss may become more noticeable as time goes on. For example, if you’re finding more hair than normal on your pillow, in the shower, or in your hairbrush, it may be time to speak with your provider about hair loss during menopause. Other signs of hair loss can include a widening of your hair part because of your hair thinning.
What You Can Do
The change in our appearance due to hair loss can be upsetting. Fortunately, menopausal hair loss isn’t often permanent. However, if you’re looking for a shorter-term solution, there are a variety of lifestyle adjustments and treatment options that may help.
- Adjust Your Hair Care Routine: Treating your hair with care can help prevent further damage. One tip is to try to limit the use of hair dryers or irons which can dry out your hair and make it more susceptible to breakage. Avoid roughly combing through hair when wet or putting it in a tight ponytail which can stress the hair follicle. If you’re looking to mask the appearance of hair loss, there are various sprays and powders available at your local drugstore that can help to fill in bald spots. Additionally, some hairstylists specialize in hair loss and can help to craft a new hairstyle to help you feel more confident.
- Manage Stress Levels: We know stress can influence our physical health in a variety of ways, including hair loss. Finding ways to reduce stress levels through yoga, meditation, or other exercises can be beneficial to help prevent further hair loss.
- Non-invasive Dermatology Treatments: There are new procedures in the field of dermatology like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection that uses your body’s own blood to stimulate hair growth. With PRP, a small amount of blood is drawn, spun in a centrifuge to concentrate your platelets, and then injected into your scalp to stimulate the hair follicle. Other treatments include low-level light lasers that aim to have a similar effect.
- Prescription Treatments: Minoxidil, or more commonly Rogaine, has been around for many years and can be prescribed by your provider for hair loss. It works by increasing blood flow to the scalp and hair follicles. There are both over-the-counter and prescription strength options available. Over-the-counter vitamins like Biotin can also help to restore hair thickness, in some cases.
For some women who are experiencing other symptoms associated with menopause, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy may also improve hair growth. As it sounds, hormone replacement therapy mirrors what the ovaries do. It releases the same steady-state of hormones our bodies were once able to produce on their own. If hair loss is your only concern, you may prefer to try an alternative method first.
Talk With Your Provider
While hair loss can be difficult to discuss, you don’t have to suffer in silence. With education and help from your Axia Women’s Health provider, you can find a treatment plan that works for you, so you can continue enjoying this next chapter of life!
In honor of #WorldMenopauseMonth, we`re here to help spread awareness and support the many women navigating the big change. It`s time to smash the taboo around menopause and aging, and offer women the support we deserve. If you want help managing your menopause symptoms, your Axia Women`s Health provider can help! From lifestyle modifications to medical treatments, there are a host of options available to meet your unique needs.
---
#menopausehealth #menopause #menopausematters #menopausesupport #womenshealth
75% of women experience hot flashes during menopause...can you relate? Menopause can certainly be a frustrating and confusing time with all of the physical and emotional changes. But, if you know what to expect and know the tools to help, it can feel a lot less daunting. Visit link in bio to learn more about how to navigate the big change.
#worldmenopausemonth #menopausematters #hotflashes #menopause #menopauserelief #menopausesupport
Join us next Thursday, May 26 at 12pm ET for a real talk about women`s mental health. Megan Lobsinger, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor at Axia Women`s Health, will be sharing advice on navigating emotions around infertility, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause. Have a question you want addressed? Comment below or DM us privately.
#IGLive #mentalhealthmonth #womensmentalhealth
Given recent events, we felt it important to address the topic of hair loss. For more than 50% of women who experience hair loss during menopause, it is not a joke. Swipe to learn more about how to manage this type of hair loss. Visit our link in bio to read our full blog post on the topic.
#hairloss #menopause #menopausehairloss #over50 #hairlosstreatment
For women who are just beginning to feel the effects of the change of life, menopause can be mystifying, but it doesn’t have to be. Menopause expert, Dr. Joann Richichi with Axia Women`s Health, offers advice in an interview with Better Nutrition.
#menopausesupport #hormonesupport #hormonalhealth #hotflashes #aging #fiftyplus #perimenopause #menopause #over50 #50andfabulous
Hot flashes, sleep apnea, and stress are just a few of the factors that can affect our sleep/wake cycle during our midlife stage. Fortunately, there are things you can do to rest easier!
-Adjust your thermostat between 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit at night
-Avoid diet-related triggers like alcohol, caffeine, or spicy foods close to bedtime
-Opt for breathable pajamas with natural fabrics like cotton
-Talk to your Axia Women`s Health provider about treatments that may be able to help
Visit link in bio for our latest blog post on sleep and menopause.
Drops in hormone levels can lead to many frustrating symptoms during menopause. One symptom we don`t talk about enough...vaginal atrophy. Vaginal atrophy (vaginal dryness and thinning of the vaginal tissue) is a common concern affecting up to 40% of women during menopause. In our latest blog post, we explore how this affects sexual function and what women can do to take back control of their health!
Visit link in bio to read our interview on "Getting Intimate After Menopause" with Dr. Joann Richichi.
.
.
.
.
#menopause #menopausesymptoms #menopausesupport #hormonebalance #hormonesupport #hormonetherapy #worldmenopausemonth
Menopause can be a time of uncertainty as you navigate the many physical and emotional changes. Fortunately, you don`t have to go it alone!
In honor of #WorldMenopauseDay, we`re here to raise awareness and offer support. Axia Women`s Health providers understand that every woman`s experience is unique and are here to guide you through the transition!
Visit link in bio for a few of our recent blog articles on menopause.
For additional resources, check out these informational and empowering IG accounts:
- @menopause_society
- @menopause_made_modern
- @feistymenopause
Next up in our Healthy Hormone series, we’re focusing on progesterone - a key player during pregnancy and menopause. Swipe right to learn more about progesterone and how it impacts your health!
The answer is….true. Research shows a drop in a woman`s estrogen after menopause may contribute to higher amounts of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the "bad" cholesterol. High cholesterol is one of the leading risk factors of heart disease. High cholesterol usually has no symptoms. Fortunately, a simple blood test can screen for high cholesterol and can help you stay in control of your health!
.
.
.
.#cholesterolawareness #cholesteroleducationmonth #knowyournumbers❤️ #hearthealth #heartdisease
