Menopause represents the end of the childbearing age.
The body experiences major hormonal changes. On a physical level, the decrease in estrogen hormones brings with it, in addition to the already known internal changes, also changes in the skin and hair.
The most important physiological changes concern the decrease in ovarian secretions: estrogen and progesterone are produced in smaller quantities.
The profound emotional, psychological and hormonal changes are typical of this period and require careful health care.
The hormonal imbalances typical of this period are often the source of strong alterations in the mood and psychological state and we are well aware that stress is certainly not a positive factor for hair health.
What happens to hair in menopause?
Here's what you can do to keep your hair healthy, thick and shiny despite the many small physical changes that precede menopause.
Hair is particularly affected by the hormonal change that takes place in this stage of a woman's life.
The effects of hormonal changes can be reflected in:
- both on an aesthetic level, i.e. the hair may appear dull and thin , and in some cases even fall out more than normal and thin out
- both at the level of the follicular cycle which, with the lack of estrogen hormones, can slow down .
More fragile hair due to hormonal decline
As mentioned above, with the arrival of menopause , the female body lacks some hormones, especially estrogen.
Estrogens are female hormones capable of positively influencing the life cycle of the hair , prolonging its permanence in the growth phase (anagen).
These hormones play an important role in the body's metabolism in general and also in the well-being of the tissues, including the hair follicles which may be affected by this deficiency.
We remind you that the life cycle of the hair consists of three phases:
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the anagen phase, of birth and growth in which there is intense cellular reproduction.
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The catagen phase, of involution, ceases the activity of cellular mitosis and melanin production.
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The telogen phase, the last of the follicular cycle which represents hair loss.
Under normal conditions this cycle is continuous, relating to each follicle, it is a physiological and therefore natural replacement. It is therefore normal to witness hair loss on a daily basis which should not worry you at all.
After the age of 50 however, with the advent of menopause it is not uncommon to notice a radical change in hair .
The hair can change in shape becoming thinner, more fragile or drier and frizzy , and can change in color as the natural aging process of melanocytes, cells responsible for the production of melanin, gradually leads to the reduction of the pigments eumelanin and pheomelanin , leading over time to graying of the hair.
Read also: Hair ages too
With menopause there is a decrease in female hormones (estrogens) in favor of male hormones (androgens), this imbalance can in some cases trigger female androgenetic alopecia. (AGA)
Female androgenetic alopecia
it affects about 50% of women during their lifetime, both pre- and post- menopausal.
There are mainly three peaks of incidence:
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coinciding with puberty,
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after childbirth,
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coinciding with menopause.
The appearance of female androgenetic alopecia is linked to:
hormones and genetic predisposition.
As we have seen, menopause represents a hormonal stage that has important repercussions on the state of health of the hair.
Hair in menopause what to do?
Added to all this is a lack of certain minerals that are lost during menopause , such as calcium, magnesium and silicon.
First of all, if you notice a change in terms of excessive fall , you should always contact your doctor who will be able to carry out serological tests to determine any deficiencies.
It will be necessary to take particular care of the lifestyle, trying to avoid alcohol, smoking, stress and inadequate nutrition.
From an aesthetic point of view however, given the condition of fragility to which the hair is subjected in this phase of life, it is advisable to implement a whole series of measures aimed at protecting and preventing further stress on the hair shaft.
It is therefore recommended to use delicate products, free from "aggressive" ingredients, where possible, to minimize chemical treatments, and to protect the hair from damage caused by excessive heat. The use of bleaches, dyes and perms should also be limited.
Coloring the hair with dyeing herbs , washing them with herbs rich in vegetable saponins , delicate on the skin and pampering them with strengthening compresses based on cassia, amla, methi, kapoor will be valid aids in preserving the well-being of our skin and hair .
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