As we all know, when we reach a certain age our hormones play a huge part in changing our lives. The Menopause is the start of many changes that we see in our bodies and the way that we can act and we often need hormone replacement treatments to counter balance the effects. Menopause can cause hair loss directly, whilst sometimes the treatments that are recommended for the treatment of the menopause have a side-effect which can cause hair loss in women.
This article has been written to highlight the relationship between menopause and female hair loss.
Understanding hair loss and why it occurs in women is key to being able to go on and know what treatments to look out for.
Baldness, or the professional name 'Alopecia', means complete or partial loss of hair on the head and body. It can occur on just the head or just the body, and we see more cases of loss of hair from the head than we see of the body. Balding can be hereditary, or can be caused by things like stress, surgery, side-effects of treatments for other conditions, cancer treatments and even childbirth. These are the most commonly found causes of hair loss in women, although treatments to improve and sometimes cure Alopecia have been developed over many years and are very advanced.
Menopausal Hair Loss
During the menopause, hair loss or thinning becomes a little more pronounced. Like when males age, around half of women over the age of fifty will see a widening of the partings and thinning of the hair will be at its worst since your twenties. There has been evidence of the male menopause too, the symptoms are usually combined with the changing of your body shape - tiredness and increased levels of testosterone in the body can all contribute. Complete baldness does not usually follow though so there is usually no need to be concerned about this. Female and male pattern baldness can be hereditary and it is sometimes visible from the parents or grandparents. In some circumstances, females may begin to grow facial hair although in small amounts. Again this can be treated and may go away once symptoms of the menopause improve.
HRT
Treatments for the menopause, like Hormone Replacement Treatments (HRT), can affect hair loss, and thinning of the hair in females. If you are concerned that your prescribed medicine is causing symptoms of hair loss, then good advice would be to request an alternative from your Doctor.
Treatment for Hair Loss in Women
If you are seeking attention for the hair loss which has not been caused by the menopause, or by the drugs you are taking, it is possible that you have inherited the dominant gene from a member of your family. There are many treatments for female hair loss available either over the counter, on prescription or even alternative remedies can be found. Do be aware though that if you are currently taking any medication, seek advice from your Doctor to ensure that the new hair loss remedy that you intend to take does not interfere, and rather compliments, the course of drugs you are already taking.
Certain ingredients contained in hair loss treatments are often avoided in use for women, such as Finasteride. This can cause problems in developing babies if you are pregnant, or become pregnant, whilst taking the drug and also if you are breastfeeding. Reputable companies will warn you of facts like this, so if you are searching for a treatment for female hair loss, then use a trusted source. You are also advised to compare hair loss products to find the most suitable for your own needs.
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