Treating Thinning Hair After Menopause: Remedies and Hair Care Tips

Understanding Thinning Hair After Menopause

Menopause is a naturally occurring event in every woman’s life that can cause several changes in your body due to fluctuating hormone levels. Estrogen and progesterone are the primary hormones responsible for these changes. Symptoms seen are vasomotor changes as well as changes in hair and skin. You may notice hair thinning and hair loss. 

Causes

Let’s see what causes hair loss.

1. Hormonal Changes:

Estrogen plays an essential role in your hair growth. Due to decreased estrogen and progesterone levels, hair growth slows down, and increased hair shedding is seen.

2. Androgenic Effects: 

Androgen is a hormone which can also affect your hair health. Higher androgen levels tend to shrink your hair follicles, inhibiting proper circulation and nutrition for your hair, eventually weakening them and leading to hair thinning (female pattern hair loss).

3. Stress: 

Stress is one of the most common causes of hormonal changes in your body. Menopause can cause many changes which cause significant stress for you, which can be physical changes like vasomotor symptoms as well as mental symptoms like anxiety and mood swings that can exacerbate your hair loss.

4. Nutritional Deficiencies: 

Adequate nutrition is essential for proper hair growth. Most Indian women lack iron in their diet. Along with this, a lack of biotin, or vitamin D, can also weaken your hair, which increases your hair loss.

5. Medical Conditions: 

Certain conditions like thyroid issues or other hormonal disorders can cause hormonal imbalances, possibly contributing to hair loss.

What does Ayurveda say about menopause hair loss?

According to Ayurveda, vata (bioenergy) increases in your body as you approach old age. Vata is essential in your body for various functions. However, when it exceeds its normal limit, it can cause many symptoms, including hair loss. During menopause, vata dosha can fluctuate a lot, making you more prone to hair loss.         

Symptoms

Hair loss during menopause can manifest as thinning or a widening of the hair parting. It is important to note that not all women experience hair loss during menopause, and the severity can vary for everyone.

Some of the common symptoms are:

• Hair thinning on the crown or top of your head.
• Visibility of the scalp when hair is tied in a ponytail or bun
• Widening of your hair part line.
• Increased shedding when brushing, oiling or washing your hair.

Remedies for Thinning Hair

Hair loss affects approximately 40% of women by age 50, according to a 2015 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 

Loss of hair can be very stressful, especially for women. But with some corrections and remedies, you can reduce this issue to some extent and prevent further hair loss.

Some remedies are:

A. Nutritional Support

Your diet plays a very vital role in the nourishment of your hair. Lack of nutrients in your diet can also cause significant hair loss.

Some essential nutrients for your hair growth and their sources are as follows:

a) Iron 

It supports healthy hair growth and blood circulation. Lack of iron can also cause increased greying of hair.

• Sources: Spinach, lentils, red meat, jaggery, dates.

b) Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is essential for your hair follicle health. Lack of Vitamin D can make your hair brittle and cause breakage, along with hair fall.

• Sources: Fatty fish, fortified foods, sunlight.

c) Biotin 

Biotin has recently gained popularity as one of the nutrients which can boost your hair health. It strengthens your hair and promotes healthy growth. It also improves the texture of your hair, making it smooth and shiny.

• Sources: Whole eggs, nuts, whole grains.

d) Omega-3 Fatty Acids 

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats needed to moisturise your scalp and hair properly. It also improves your scalp health and reduces inflammation.

• Sources: Salmon, walnuts, flaxseeds, cod liver oils.

e) Zinc 

It maintains your scalp and hair follicle health. It also prevents premature greying of your hair.

• Sources: Shellfish, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas.

B. Hair Growth Treatments

If you face severe hair loss that does not seem to be resolved by any other remedies, you must visit a healthcare expert to treat your condition. Some of the most commonly used ingredients for the medical treatment of hair loss are as follows:

a) Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Minoxidil was first introduced as an antihypertensive medication, and later on, its development of a topical formulation for promoting hair growth took place with further research. To date, topical minoxidil is the primary treatment for androgenetic alopecia (alopecia due to an increase in androgen hormones). It is also used as a treatment for other hair loss conditions.

• It is FDA-approved for female pattern hair loss.
• It is available in 2% and 5% solutions.
• It promotes hair regrowth by increasing blood flow to your scalp.

Some other areas where minoxidil is used are

• Alopecia areata
• Beard enhancement
• Eyebrow enhancement
• Loose anagen hair syndrome
• Telogen effluvium

b) Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy:

Platelet-rich plasma, also known as platelet-rich growth factors or platelet concentrate, concentrates platelet-rich plasma protein derived from your whole blood. It is especially for androgenetic alopecia and female pattern hair loss.

It involves injecting specialised procedures into your scalp that help stimulate your hair growth.

c) Low-Level Laser Therapy (LT):

Red or near-infrared laser light promotes tissue repair and regeneration, and low-intensity light, called low-level laser therapy (LLLT), stimulates cellular activity. These laser devices treat various medical conditions.

Home-use LLLT devices that emit low-power coherent monochromatic red light have been developed for various skin conditions, including hair growth.

It can thus be a non-invasive treatment that stimulates your hair follicles and improves density.

d) Hair Growth Serums:

The market is flooded with many hair serums claiming to increase hair loss. This can create confusion. So how can you make a choice? Look for serums that contain peptides, caffeine, or niacinamide to boost your hair's strength.

C. Hormone Therapy

Hormonal therapy is also an excellent treatment to tackle hair loss issues, especially during menopause.

Hormone replacement therapy is advised in menopausal and postmenopausal women if the symptoms are too severe. It can also help with hair loss. It helps to balance estrogen and progesterone levels in your body, potentially improving your hair health.

However, it is necessary to take this treatment only under medical supervision.

D. Natural Remedies

Many claims promise that natural remedies help prevent hair loss. While results may differ for everyone, natural remedies can be a supplementary treatment for hair loss.

a) Essential Oils

Essential oils are great products when it comes to beauty. It gives excellent results for hair and skin issues.

Rosemary Oil
Rosemary oil contains carnosic acid, a phenolic chemical compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help rejuvenate damaged nerves and tissue. It promotes blood circulation in your scalp and boosts hair growth.

Peppermint Oil 
The menthol in peppermint essential oil is a vasodilator, and vasodilators improve blood flow to your scalp. It also provides nourishment and care.

How to Use: Mix a few drops of oil of your choice with carrier oil (like coconut or argan oil) and massage into your scalp in slow, circular motions. Leave it for at least 2 hours and wash your hair with a gentle shampoo.

Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is cooling in nature, soothes your scalp, and reduces inflammation. Apply pure aloe vera gel directly to your scalp. However, remove the yellow liquid by keeping the leaves in water for 1 hour and then scoop out the gel and apply it to your hair.

Ayurveda for hair loss

Ayurveda has many remedies for hair loss.

a) Hair oiling

One of the most effective methods is hair oiling.

Recommended oils:

• Bhringaraj oil
• Coconut oil
• Brahmi oil
• Amla oil

How to use: Warm the oil slightly before using. Apply gently on the whole scalp and then your hair strands. However, avoid excessive application, which can cause excessive dryness if you shampoo too much to remove the oil. The oil can attract dirt if it doesn’t get washed off thoroughly. Gently massage your scalp in circular motions. Wash your hair after 2-3 hours. 

b) Amla 

Amla is one of the best superfoods for your hair. Consume amla every day. If it is challenging to consume amla in its raw form, you can make its shots with raw turmeric. This is not only beneficial for your hair but also for your skin and immunity.          

Hair Care Tips for Thinning Hair

Your hair needs love and care apart from treatments and remedies. Some daily hair care tips are as follows:

A. Gentle Hair Care

• Be gentle and handle your hair with care.
• Use sulfate-free shampoos to avoid stripping natural oils, especially if you have dry hair.
• Avoid frequent heat styling as it can weaken hair strands.
• Blow dry your hair by switching to a cool setting.
• Use a wide-toothed wooden comb to minimise breakage and damage to your roots.
• Use a conditioner after shampooing to lock in the moisture in your hair.

B. Scalp Massage

• Regular scalp massages stimulate blood flow to your scalp and strengthen your hair follicles.
• Use a scalp massager or your fingertips for 5–10 minutes daily and massage slowly with gentle pressure in circular motions.

C. Volumizing Products

• Use lightweight and gentle volumising shampoos and conditioners to make your hair appear fuller and voluminous.
• Avoid heavy styling products, as they can weigh down your hair.
• If possible, avoid using any such products or limit their use.

D. Avoid Harsh Chemicals

Chemical treatments like hair dyes and bleach can damage your structure and weaken it. Limit or, if possible, avoid using any of these as they can increase your hair fall.

Lifestyle Changes to Support Hair Health

A healthy lifestyle gives a healthy body. Some lifestyle changes and adjustments which can help you boost your overall health are:

A. Manage Stress

Stress can cause an imbalance in your hormones, which tends to increase your hair fall. Practice yoga, meditation, or mindfulness to destress your mind and reduce stress-related hair loss.

B. Exercise Regularly

Exercise improves blood and oxygen circulation in your scalp. It also maintains optimum hormonal balance. All of this supports healthy hair growth. You can also add some easy yoga practices, like Sarvangasana, to increase blood flow to your head.

C. Stay Hydrated

Adequate hydration supports your scalp's health and reduces dryness. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water daily to maintain hydration.

D. Quality Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential for your hair repair and growth. The human body produces the hormone melatonin. This hormone regulates your sleep cycle and increases hair growth. While sleep directly impacts your hormones, poor sleep reduces the amount of melatonin, potentially causing hair loss.

When to See a Doctor

It is necessary to consult your doctor in the following conditions:

• If your hair fall or loss is sudden and severe,
• If your scalp is visible due to increased hair fall.
• If you notice symptoms such as weakness or weight fluctuations (could be an underlying health issue).
• Persistent scalp itching or inflammation.

Wrapping Up

Thinning hair is a very common occurrence, particularly after menopause, and it can be managed with proper care. Proper medical treatments, natural remedies, and good hair care are crucial for this. Balancing your hormones, adjusting your diet and nutrition, and practising gentle scalp and hair care are the keys to improving your hair health. If you are suffering from severe or persistent hair loss, you can contact our Nirva team of healthcare experts, who can help you identify underlying causes and appropriate solutions for your hair loss.