Menopause can be a trying time in a woman’s life. A decrease in estrogen, coupled with the physical changes that the body experiences can provide a pretty potent cocktail that can cause all sorts of side effects. One of which can be hair loss.
The hair loss that accompanies women during menopause is generally temporary and can have a root cause that stems from a few different issues. Here are three common causes of hair loss during this time.
1. A Decrease in Estrogen
Estrogen affects a good portion of the body’s function, including hair growth. So it comes as no surprise that a decrease in estrogen can affect hair growth. In fact, during menopause, as female hormones experience a decrease, male hormones (androgens) effects can increase, making hair follicles weaker until they stop growing. This is often the result of the body being sensitive to the presence of androgens, and can sometimes be corrected through hormone treatment.
2. Nutritional Deficiency
During menopause, the body experiences a lot of different types of changes, and because of that, nutritional deficiencies can occur. A lack of iron in the body can play a role in hair loss, as can specific diets – especially weight-loss focused diets that may cut off integral dietary requirements. Check with your doctor to make sure you’re getting the right amount and type of nutrients daily that your body needs.
3. Higher Levels of Stress
Dealing with the effects of menopause can be rough and cause additional emotional stress on the body. Stress can create all kinds of problems, but one area that stress can seriously affect is hair – specifically hair loss. Alopecia areata, telogen effluvium, and trichotillomania have all been shown to have some relation to stress.
While menopause is only temporary, it can still be a stressful and trying time for many women. Hair loss can add significantly to that stress, so it’s good to be aware of the causes and symptoms of menopause-related hair loss.
If you’re worried about the possibility of hair loss or alopecia, set up an appointment to speak with your physician.
