Menopause & Hair
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Menopause is a natural stage of life that all women experience. It is the time that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles and begins when a woman has gone 12 months without experiencing a menstrual period.
The average age of menopause in Australia is 51 years, although many women begin the phase at any time during their 40s or 50s.
Also know as “the change in life”, this time in life is characterised by fluctuations in hormones, which can trigger a range of symptoms and physical changes.
Perimenopause
Perimenopause is characterised as the period or years or months leading up to menopause. Changes in menstruation vary widely between women, however most women experience some irregularity in their periods before they end.
Many women experience a range of symptoms during perimenopause, including:
- Irregular periods
- Hot flashes
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Sleeping problems and tiredness
- Mood changes
- Weight gain
- Breast tenderness
- Skin and hair changes
Hair Loss Causes
The reproductive hormones estrogen and progesterone begin to decline naturally for most women around their late 30s. Menstrual periods usually become irregular over the following years until the ovaries stop releasing eggs and menopause begins.
Menopause can lead to changes in you hair such as hair loss, dryness or thinning, breakage and slowed growth. Whilst this is due to low female hormone levels (oestrogens and progesterone) and an imbalance with androgens (testosterone), other factors can also contribute to this such as everyday stress, nutrient deficiencies, starting new medications and genetic predisposition.
Stress Relief
While hormonal imbalances may be the primary cause of hair loss for menopausal women, stress can also be a factor.
Women experiencing higher stress levels are likely to have elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, which may further contribute to hair loss or thinning.
Reduced oestrogen levels can trigger mood changes in some women. It can be a good idea to incorporate practices such as meditation, breath work and yoga in order to combat stress.
Balancing Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of lean protein, healthy fats, leafy greens and fresh fruits and vegetables is a great idea for overall health. A healthy diet also provides nutrients that contribute to healthy, strong hair.
Certain nutrients including iron, vitamin Bs and C, folic acid and essential omega-3 fatty acids all play a role in supporting hair health.
Good sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids include salmon, tuna, fish oil, flaxseed oil and chia seeds.
Healthy Body, Healthy Hair
Following a regular, consistent exercise routine is key for maintaining a healthy mind and body and can play a role in combatting stress and mood changes.
Regular exercise can also help to combat some of the symptoms of menopause including weight gain, mood swings and poor sleep. And don’t forget to bring your water bottle to keep your body hydrated.
Avoid Damage
Avoiding damaging or drying out hair is good practice when trying to combat hair thinning and breakage. It’s a good idea to limit the use of heat tools such as hair straighteners, curlers and blow dryers.
The chemicals contained in some artificial hair dyes can be bad for hair and scalp health, and bleaching can further damage weakened hair.
Also, don’t forget to use gentle, moisturising shampoo and conditioner when you wash your hair.
Promensil Menopause Hair Growth & Thickness
Promensil Menopause Hair Growth & Thickness is formulated with ingredients that supports hair growth and health, helps maintain healthy hair follicles, aids protein synthesis and supports nutrient levels in the body, helps prevent dietary nutrient deficiency and supports skin health. It also contains ingredients with antioxidant properties to help decrease free radical damage to the body’s cells.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use.