subject: How Hair Loss Can Occur During Menopause [print this page] Hair loss can occur for many women going through menopause. The statistics show that about nearly half of women experience some form of hair thinning while going through their menopause, and about a third worry about thinning hair or bald patches during post-menopausal stages. This is a natural stage in every woman's life that can start between the age of 30 and 70 but more commonly starts during their forties and fifties. Symptoms of menopause usually show about 3 months after a woman enters the stage.
The true cause of thinning hair in women is not clear yet to medical researchers, but they have linked it closely to the reduced production of the female hormones, estrogen, which leads to androgenetic alopecia.
A woman also naturally produces testosterone, which is the male hormone. But before she enters menopause, the level of testosterone produced by the body is kept in balanced by estrogen. When she enters the menopause, the higher level of testosterone combines with an enzyme called 5 alpha reductase. The combination of these two substances creates dihydrotestosterone a.k.a DHT. DHT is what causes the hair thinning to occur as it damages and eventually kills the hair follicles.
Estrogenic treatments, such as soy isoflavones or hormone replacement therapies can be taken in an attempt to remedy the problem. Just as the symptoms take 3 months to show any manifestation, treatments would need to be taken for about 3 months to determine if it is working or not.
Though it may not seem evident, women may experience hair loss just as much as men, but the effects are not the same. It is very rare for a woman to have bald spots; hair loss most often produces a thinning effect, which makes styling very challenging.
How a woman reacts to pattern baldness differs from one to another. It may cause her to feel less feminine, which can play a role in depression and, in severe cases, anxiety. If conditions play a role in deterioration in quality of life, it is recommended that professional assistance is sought to address the problem.
Here are some simple pointers for women experiencing hair thinning.
Cut the hair in short layers as this adds more fullness and body to your hair.
Use soft brushes instead of combs.
Don't use hair spray, use gel instead as this can add to the fullness of the hair.
