Hormones and hair loss
Around 50% of women in the US suffer from some form of hair loss throughout their lives – most commonly as they approach middle age. Although there can be many causes behind hair loss, often it can be linked to hormonal imbalances.
This is often good news – because it means that hair loss that previously didn’t respond well to other treatments is reversible.
Today I’ll be sharing some insights into how our delicate balance of hormones can impact upon our hair, and how balancing them can help to maintain lusciously healthy locks.
How is hair loss linked to our hormones?
When hormone levels fluctuate within the body they influence the lifecycle of our hair follicles – causing hair to grow faster, and remain on the scalp for longer. The opposite effect can also occur – where hair grows more slowly and falls out more frequently. These changes can happen post-pregnancy (pregnancy itself often causes over-growth of hair which then sheds post-partum), with conditions such as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and even as a result of imbalances caused by severe stress or illness. Understanding the sensitive symbiotic relationship between the hair and our hormones is often the first step to effectively treating thinning hair.
Hair loss also tends to be more subtle in women than it is in men – so it tends to ‘creep up’ on us and when we eventually notice the extent of the thinning, it can be an upsetting and shocking realisation.
Is hair loss linked to the menopause?
Yes. Menopausal women are most likely to experience changes to the health of their hair and scalp – including (but not limited to) dry, brittle hair, oily roots and thinning hair (whilst hair growth mysteriously accelerates in other places, such as the face). This is because when levels of estrogen drop, hair grows more slowly and gets thinner. An increase in androgens shrinks hair follicles, which can also lead to hair loss.
How can hormone-related hair loss be treated?
If you suspect you may be experiencing hormone-related hair loss, don’t worry. There are many options now available to women who are suffering with hormonal hair loss – with even more emerging as our understanding of it expands. Some of the most popular options include:
*Hormone Replacement Therapy: Where menopause (or pre-menopause) is causing hair loss and other symptoms, HRT (or Hormone Replacement Therapy) may be beneficial. Traditionally this involves synthetic hormones taken orally or with a patch or gel, but there are some holistic options too. You should also talk to your doctor to determine whether any medications you are currently taking could be contributing to the hair loss.
*Stress reduction: Stress is often a major culprit behind hair loss – which is especially cruel as hair loss itself causes stress, instigating a vicious cycle. Concentrating on implementing some stress-busting strategies into your daily lifestyle can significantly reduce the rate of hair loss. Minimizing stress looks different for everyone – but some popular strategies include yoga, meditation, journaling and nature walks.
*Nutrition support: Dietary deficiencies can be a major factor in the development of sustained hair loss. Focus on a wholefoods diet with lots of lean protein and vegetables and fibre – hydrate with plenty of water and avoid sugars, alcohol, processed foods, refined carbs and unhealthy fats as much as possible.
Holistic hair care tips
Beyond clinical and holistic treatments to address the source of hair loss our haircare routine can also help to restore healthy, thick hair more quickly. Some key tips include:
*Scalp oiling and massage: In Ayurveda we employ scalp oiling and massage on a regular basis for overall health and their beautifying benefits. Oils are usually custom-blended with nourishing herbs and plant extracts to address the specific scalp concerns of the individual. Meanwhile massage increases circulation bringing blood-flow to hair follicles, encouraging new growth.
*Gentle brushing: Brush gently and infrequently, taking care when detangling wet hair to avoid breakage. You might want to try one of our natural at-home hair masks to minimise knots and tangles – check them out here.
*Natural products: Many women use chemical-laden products on their hair and scalp, not realising that this can wreak havoc internally (these products tend to disrupt our natural hormone balance) but also stripping the scalp and hair of precious natural oils. Swap your sulfate-laden shampoo for a natural alternative, organic where possible, and invest in natural styling products.
*Avoiding heat and over-styling: This one is fairly obvious – but it still deserves a place on this list. Cutting down on styling the hair excessively can significantly reduce breakage and strengthens hair strands giving hair a fuller, thicker appearance.