Menopause and Hair Loss

By Alan J. Bauman, M.D.

After menopause, about 40 percent of women experience hair thinning, which is almost the same rate as men. September is Menopause Awareness Month, so her a re some key facts about how hormonal changes can cause hair loss and thinning and what women can do to treat it.

• Hair┬áloss around┬ámenopause┬áis common due to changes in hormone levels and activity,┬ábut it cannot be commonly cured with┬áhormone replacement alone.
• Genetic┬ápredisposition, unusual levels of stress, hormonal imbalances, vitamin┬ádeficiencies, crash diets, medications, as well as a┬áhistory of illness and┬ásurgery can also be contributing factors to female hair loss.
• Most women benefit from a combination of┬ápharmaceutical and lifestyle changes in treating their hair loss and thinning.┬á┬áResults are┬áproportional to your level of┬ádiscipline and compliance with the prescribed regimen.
• Studies have proven that hair loss can have wide-ranging psychological effects on women, including loss of confidence and self-esteem, and in some cases, depression, anxiety, social withdrawal and more.
• Medical┬átreatments to protect and enhance hair follicle functioning may include compounded┬átopical minoxidil Formula 82M, platelet-rich plasma injections, Latisse/Bimatoprost┬áor other prostaglandin analogs, low-level laser therapy, off-label anti-androgens┬á(for┬ápost-menopausal┬áwomen only) and nutritional supplements like Viviscal Professional┬áand pharmaceutical grade biotin.

Alan J. Bauman, M.D., is a top U.S. medical expert on hair science for women and men. He is board certified in hair restoration, a consultant to P&G and other companies, and a frequent medical contributor to the national media. Please visit https://baumanmedical.com/