Menopause and Hair Loss
by: Cathy Taylor
The onset of menopause can often lead to
hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many
women fear the most. These days many more women are also experiencing
thinning and bald spots as they mature, and both men and women
are reaching out for new solutions. Even though there is no real
‘cure', there are many things that can be done to help.
Both hormones and genes are to blame for menopause
causing acute hair loss, as is the aging process. Confirming
the causes of your loss with a competent and experienced dermatologist
is the first step in determining your best treatment options.
It’s possible to have temporary loss of hair
caused by physical stress, emotional stress, thyroid abnormalities,
medications and hormonal changes (such as androgens and estrogens
during menopause) normally associated with females. Tension on
the hair by prolonged use of hair weaving or corn rows can also
cause permanent loss.
There are autoimmune disorders such as Alopecia
Areata that cause patchy loss of hair often in small circular
areas in different areas of the scalp. Alopecia Totalis is a total
loss of hair on the scalp and is considered an advanced form of
Areata. Alopecia Universalis is total hair loss of the entire
body. People with diseases such as diabetes and lupus have also
reported losing hair as a result.
It’s normal to shed some hair each day as
about 90 percent of the hair on your scalp is growing at any one
time during a normal phase that lasts for 2 to 6 years at one
time. Some women notice they are losing hair about 3 months after
delivering a child. This is related to a hormone loss and is usually
temporary.
Several medicines have been known to cause hair
loss such as blood thinners (anticoagulants), medicines used for
gout and in chemotherapy to treat cancer. Also, the use of vitamin
A, birth control pills and antidepressants has been known to cause
hair loss.
Male pattern baldness is usually inherited from
your genes. An over abundance of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone
(DHT), which is an active form of testosterone, within the hair
follicle can create this type of hair loss. Current medications
are aimed at slowing this common type of baldness including Minoxidil
which is commonly called Rogaine and is available without a prescription.
Both men and women can apply this product to the scalp. Another
medicine, Finasteride, and called Propecia is available in pill
form without prescription but is meant only for men. It can take
up to 6 months in order to tell if these medications are helping.
Remember, the onset of menopause can often lead
to hair loss and has long been a part of aging that many women
and men fear the most. Even though there is no real cute, there
are many things that can be done to help. Select the Hair Loss
Doc Shop to locate a doctor near you.
About The Author
Cathy Taylor is a marketing consultant
with over 25 years experience. She specializes in internet marketing,
strategy and plan development, as well as management of communications
and public relations programs for small business sectors. She
can be reached at Creative Communications: creative-com@cox.net
or by visiting www.menopauseinfo.org
or www.internet-marketing-small-business.com
