Menopause Hair Loss

Women in menopause know to expect some of the usual discomforts, such as hot flashes and weight gain. But a significant amount of mature women will experience moderate to severe menopause hair loss. It can be embarrassing, to say the least.

About 30% of menopausal women are affected by this problem. Hair loss, or alopecia, is not just something that happens to your husband or your father-in-law! It is caused primarily by the hormone fluctations of mid-life. Progesterone drops. Estrogen drops. When the end result is a net gain in available testosterone, women begin to notice hair loss on the head, much like male pattern baldness.

Other physical conditions can also contribute to thinning hair, so it can be helpful to seek the advice of your physician. Low thyroid, for example, can also contribute to hair loss in women. Menopausal hormone imbalances can sometimes disrupt thyroid hormones and thyroid hormone conversion.

Natural Solutions - What You Can Do

Remember that menopause hair loss is mainly the result of hormonal fluctations. If your menopause symptoms are mild or moderate, you may be able to promote balance with nutritional supplements, herbs and over the counter progesterone cream. For some women, the hair growth normalizes once the hormone roller coaster has stabilized.

Next, take a look at your diet and look for ways to optimize and improve. Poor nutrition, coupled with stress, can promote hormonal imbalance. Consider adding high quality nutritional supplements to shore up deficiencies. Eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with lean, healthy proteins such as fish and chicken. Don't neglect essential fatty acids, especially Omega 3's, which are found in fish oil. Another helpful nutrient is B-12.

Be especially careful about hair color, heat and certain kinds of hair products. Overuse of these things can damage hair or accelerate the rate of hair loss.

Speak with your doctor. If your hair loss is sudden, or severe, it is best to check out the complete physical picture. Hormone replacement therapy may be prescribed.