Female androgenetic alopecia – a fairly common problem that affects many women around the world. For those of you who are unaware of this term, it is hair loss in women which, in the majority of cases, occurs at menopause. Why ? Are there effective treatment and means of prevention? Our editors tell you everything.
Understanding female pattern baldness at menopause
A scientific study has just demonstrated that hair loss in middle-aged women is indeed a fairly common occurrence, ending the misconception that it’s only men who need to worry regarding it. What’s more, the research authors noted that more than half of the healthy postmenopausal women who participated in the study suffered from female pattern baldness. Androgenetic alopecia in women is the most common form of female hair loss.
Hair loss in postmenopausal women is caused by hormonal fluctuations that occur during this specific period. This annoying phenomenon can manifest itself during each of the three stages of menopause: premenopause, menopause and post-menopause.
During premenopause, estrogen and progesterone levels begin to drop. These two hormones participate in the growth, as well as the density of the hair, and their high levels make the hair finer. Also, the reduced levels of these two hormones cause androgens to increase – male hormones present in women in small amounts. Androgens can cause hair follicles in the head to shrink, resulting in androgenetic alopecia.
What causes hair loss in women?
Besides menopause, there are also other causes of hair loss in women and they can be of various origins. Better understanding of these triggers might help adopt more effective preventive strategies and treatment options. Below is an overview of the most common factors that can cause hair loss in women:
- Genetic
- Vitamin deficiencies or anemia
- Thyroid-related health problems
- A lot of stress
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Inflammation of the scalp
Is there a natural treatment for hair loss in 50 year old women? While this fight is quite difficult, we invite you to try some natural methods which generally consist of some changes associated with lifestyle. The factors that we are going to list below can also serve as preventive measures.
Reduce stress : Evil of the century, stress affects hormonal changes and is a common trigger for hair loss. Many stress reduction techniques available to you, including meditation, yoga, etc.
Eat healthy : Food once morest female hair loss includes omega-3 rich foods and omega-6, protein, vitamins A, B, C and D, as well as minerals including zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium, calcium and copper.
move more : Physical activity helps to reduce symptoms of menopause, namely mood swings, weight gain and insomnia. Improving them helps maintain a healthy hormonal balance that promotes healthy hair growth.
Gentle and natural hair care : To avoid dry and brittle hair, it is better to stay away from hair dryers, straighteners and other styling methods that can weaken your hair and cause premature hair loss. The chemicals in dyes tend to compromise hair health. As for the shampoo, give preference to nourishing products.
Hair Protection : Wearing a bathing cap when swimming is an essential step to adopt in order to better protect your hair. Also, stock up on anti-UV products in summer to offer you a care of sun protection for your hair. Wearing a hat is also required.
When to consult a health professional?
Although menopause is usually the cause of hair loss in women over 50, other health conditions can cause it. If you have hair that falls out, it is better to consult your doctor just in case. Here are the pathologies that health professionals take into account:
- Adrenal insufficiency
- Anemia
- Nutritional deficiencies, including biotin, iron, protein, and zinc
- Side effects of certain medications
- Scalp psoriasis
- Stress
- Syphilis
- Thyroid disease
