Women and Thinning Hair: Finding Answers and Hope After Menopause
- Monica Bell
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
At Optimal Hormone Health, we encounter many women who are concerned about hair thinning after menopause and the emotional impact it can have.. Hair loss for women can be a traumatic experience, creating feelings of anxiety, depression, decreased self-esteem, and social withdrawal.
However, there is reason to be optimistic about finding the right approach to resolving this problem. Although hair loss is traditionally the purview of dermatology, we employ a holistic, clinically backed approach to identify the cause and the most suitable treatment for your hair loss.
What is Hair Loss?
Losing hair daily is normal. In fact, most people shed about 150 hairs a day. When more hair is shed than replaced, thinning occurs. Hair loss can manifest in various ways, depending on its cause.
Gradual thinning, which is typically a widening of the part or crown area
Sparse hair follicles and visible scalp
Sudden increase in hair shedding, often in clumps
Patchy baldness
Thinning eyebrows or eyelashes
Changes in hair texture
Causes of Hair Thinning After Menopause
There are numerous causes of hair loss in women, and it is crucial to identify the cause to select the most suitable treatment.
Genetics
Female pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) is the most common cause of hair loss in women and is often inherited.
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal fluctuations, specifically a decline in estrogen, can lead to hair thinning. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can both contribute to hair loss.
Stress
Physical or emotional stress can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which causes temporary hair loss that may persist for up to three months after a stressful event.
Inflammation
Inflammation can be triggered by various conditions and environmental factors, including autoimmune disorders, scalp conditions (such as psoriasis), infections, and exposure to toxins. Toxins are commonly found in everyday products, including hair dyes, shampoos, and styling products.
Weight Loss
Rapid weight loss can lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients vital for hair growth, such as iron, zinc, and protein. Weight loss can also lead to hormonal imbalances, which in turn can cause hair loss.
Treatment Approaches
Our approach to treating hair loss is a step-by-step process that requires patience and commitment as we identify the causes and develop a plan.
Vitamin Deficiencies
We begin by checking for vitamin deficiencies, including Vitamin D, B12, and iron. Based on lab results, we recommend optimizing these vitamins and minerals essential for hair growth.
We evaluate your hormone levels and recommend Estradiol and micronized progesterone to help you reach the recommended levels for your individual needs. As part of your lab draw, we also assess thyroid hormones T4 and T3, which are crucial for overall health.
Scalp Health
We often don’t think much about our scalp health, but a healthy scalp is crucial for hair growth because it provides the foundation for follicles. An unhealthy scalp can lead to weakened follicles, inflammation, and hair loss. Conditions such as dandruff, dryness, and product buildup can clog follicles, disrupt the hair growth cycle, and lead to thinning, breakage, and shedding. Our recommendations may include:
Use a clean dandruff shampoo at least once or twice a week to help manage dandruff. Good shampoos include T/Sal, Royal oils, Vanicream, or a prescription shampoo with 2% Ketoconazole.
Avoid overwashing your hair.
Brush your hair daily to remove dead skin cells and stimulate blood flow.
Consider using scalp treatments that contain natural nutrients and antioxidants.
Minoxidil
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter treatment for female pattern hair loss, available in 2% solution and 5% foam forms, or as an oral medication, which may require a prescription. Rogaine is one of the more well-known Minoxidil products.
How it works: Minoxidil is believed to work by enlarging hair follicles and increasing blood flow to the scalp, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the follicles, stimulating hair growth.
Dosage: For women, the 5% topical solution and 5% foam can be applied once daily, even though the instructions will say for men only.
Low-dose oral minoxidil can also be used. Some studies have shown this to be more effective in menopausal women.
Results: It usually takes at least 4 to 6 months of consistent use to see noticeable results. Initial new hair growth may be soft and fine, but continued treatment helps it become consistent with the rest of your hair.
Maintenance: Continued, lifelong use is necessary to maintain hair regrowth and prevent hair loss from starting again.
Red Light Therapy
Red light therapy refers broadly to the use of red-spectrum light (typically around 630–660 nm) for health benefits. Studies show improvement in hair density and hair counts for androgenic alopecia after 16-26 weeks. There’s no consensus that a specific diode count or wavelength within the red band is best.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Pumpkin seed oil is one of the few “natural” potential treatments for hair loss. Pumpkin seed oil is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. It also has vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and linoleic acid. Both topical and oral forms of pumpkin seed oil have shown promise in treating hair loss.
Biotin
Biotin is vitamin B7 and is essential for the production of keratin, and also helps in the formation of hair follicles. It may help a small number of individuals, but we do not recommend Biotin for hair loss due to limited scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
Conquering Hair Loss With Our Help
Hair loss is a health issue-one that we are fully prepared to help you conquer. Whether you have started hormone replacement or not, don’t wait to talk with us about your hair loss. If you’re struggling with hair thinning after menopause, early evaluation and treatment can make a meaningful difference in both hair health and confidence.The sooner we can get started on the cause, the sooner you can trust that, in time, your hair and your confidence will be restored.