Hair Loss & Menopause

Female pattern baldness is something that affects women at many different stages of their lives and can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors. Some women experience hair loss due to stress and others just experience hair loss as they age naturally.

Another factor that has been linked to hair loss in women is menopause. The average age menopause in women typically occurs is when they are in their 50’s. In the months and years leading up to their 50’s women will start to notice changes in their body, mood and hair pattern too.

What is Menopause?

The menopause is when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally. Periods usually start to become less frequent over a few months or years before they stop altogether.

Early menopause happens when a woman’s periods stop before the age of 45. It can happen naturally, or as a side effect of some treatments. For most women, the menopause starts between the ages of 45 and 55.

There are many common signs and symptoms of menopause and here are some of the most common indicators.

Menopause & Hair Loss

When menopause occurs it can cause hormonal changes within a woman’s body. These hormones can then have various different effects on other areas of the body such as the skin and hair. Oestrogen plays a pivotal role in hair growth and when menopause occurs it may slow down the rate that oestrogen is produced within the body which in turn may lead to hair loss.

Women can experience different forms of hair loss. Some may notice that their hair isn’t growing back as quickly as it used to. Others may notice thinning and their hair losing its natural volume in certain areas. Some may experience bald spots where there is definitive evidence of hair loss. Again, it can vary from person to person depending on a number of different factors such as age, stress, lifestyle and genetics.

The Psychological Impact

Many women take a lot of pride in their hair and overall appearance and the thought of losing their hair can be very upsetting and depressing for an individual. Studies have shown that women are more likely than men to be more devastated by the loss of their hair. Many women can feel ashamed or embarrassed of their hair loss as a result.

Treatment Options

Thankfully there are many different ways to treat female pattern baldness and a full hair transplant isn’t always the go to option.

There are now many different medications available to treat and even slow down hair loss in women. There are also a number of different procedures that can be done to treat hair loss and stimulate new hair growth which require little to no down time.

It’s important to always discuss with your doctor first before deciding on any treatment as your doctor will do a thorough examination to determine the potential cause of your hair loss and suggest an appropriate treatment based on that.

Book a Consultation

If you feel like you’re struggling with your hair loss then feel free to book a consultation with Dr Kevin who will be able to best advise on what might be the most appropriate treatment for you. You can book a consultation using this link here.