Who
is susceptible to hair loss?
All women experiencing
menopause are susceptible to hair loss. This is a reality for all
women, although not as known as with men. Hair loss can be one of
the first symptoms of menopause that women usually notice and associate
with menopause. Hair loss can be one of the more depressing
symptoms of menopause, as a womanīs hair is associated with her
femininity, sexuality, and individual sense of style.
How does hair grow?
Hair is formed from
keratin, a protein that also forms the nails and outer layer of skin.
Above the surface, the part that is brushed and styled, each strand of
hair is actually dead tissue secreted by hair follicles which exist
below the scalpīs surface. This visible section is called the hair
shaft.
Hair usually remain on
the scalp and keeps on growing for 2 to 6 years. During this time
any person have around 100,000 hairs on their head and loses hair at a
rate of 50-100 per day. During menopause, this can change
dramatically and women can lose for more than 100 per day.
In menopausal women,
the hairloss manifests as a thining of the hair, more than the prominent
baldness as seen in men.
Symptoms
of hair loss
The following are some
of the most commons symptoms of hair loss in menopause:
-
Hair falls out in large clumps when it
is being washed
-
Large strains of hair present in
brushes when hair is brushed
-
Small bald patches may appear on the
scalp
-
Scalp can be red, oily and may be
itching
-
Noticeable thinning of the hair
Causes
of hair loss
Hair loss during the
menopausal stage of a woman's life is a direct effect of the hormonal
imbalance. When estrogen levels are normal, the estrogen ensures that
the hair grows faster and prevent hairloss. When the estrogen
levels are thus lower, the hair falls out quicker.
Androgens, or male
hormones, increase as estrogen levels decrease. An androgen
appears to bind to hair follicles and force them to go into their
"resting" phase sooner than is normal, causing the new
hairs to grow ever thinner with each cycle of hair growth.
There are also a number
of other causes that can lead to hair loss eg. pregnancy, anxiety,
stress, depression, lack of protein, excess vitamin A, anemia,
chemotherapy and cancer are but a few causes. If you think that
your hairloss is too excessive or not related to menopause, consult a
medical practitioner.
Treatment
for hair loss
When treating any
condition, we are always looking for the least invasive treatment with
the smallest chance of unwanted side effects. During menopause, the best
treatment for hair loss or any other symptoms of menopause is to treat
the cause of the problem. This means rectifying the hormonal imbalance
will surely relieve the hair loss and all other symptoms of menopause.
According to
statistics, Americans spend 1 billion dollars per year on hair loss
treatments. Unfortunately, according to the American Hair Loss Society,
99% of these treatments are ineffective. Hair loss can be
prevented by increasing oneīs intake of protein, vitamins B & C,
and iron.
For more
prolonged or serious cases of hairloss, it may be necessary to seek the
advice of a healthcare professional.
Since the hair loss are caused by a
hormonal imbalance, it can be treated very effectively with alternative
medicine that restores your hormonal balance.
Click HERE
to see the alternative medicine of choice.
