Hair loss in menopause: why is it?

In today’s article, we will provide a scientific overview of hair loss in menopausal women, including its causes, incidence, and treatment options.
We are used to seeing this topic specifically aimed at men, since they are the population most affected by this disorder, which means that the study of androgens has so far dominated the field of hair biology.
But today we will take a turn and focus on women, and more especially women who are going through menopause.

What is hair loss in menopause?

As a woman approaches menopause, she may notice changes in her hair and it may become thinner, weaker, and less voluminous. This phenomenon usually responds to hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies and genetic predispositions. Understanding the causes of menopausal hair loss can help women manage their health and find effective treatments.

Alopecia in menopause refers to a reduction in the density and thickness of hair.
This can be caused by a variety of factors, including those listed above.
Hair can become brittle, dry, and difficult to manage.
Women may also notice a change in the texture of their hair, with fewer curls or waves.
Not only do women with alopecia have to cope with their hair loss, but they often feel isolated, embarrassed to seek care, and may be frustrated by misinformation, misdiagnosis, or poor treatment options.

Causes of Hair Loss in Menopause

There are several factors that can contribute to hair loss in menopause.
The most common cause is hormonal changes, specifically a decrease in estrogen levels.
Estrogen helps maintain hair growth by lengthening the anagen phase of the hair cycle.
As estrogen levels decrease, the hair cycle shortens, resulting in less time for hair to grow.
In addition, androgen levels can increase during menopause, leading to miniaturization of the hair follicle and eventually hair loss.

Genetic predisposition may also play a role in menopausal hair loss.
Women with a family history of hair loss, particularly cases of female pattern loss, are more likely to experience thinning hair during menopause.
Nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to hair loss, as certain vitamins and minerals are essential for hair growth and maintenance.

There is a growing body of scientific and clinical data suggesting that non-androgenic signals can also affect the folliculosebaceous unit, especially in women.
The discovery of estrogen receptor beta has renewed and redefined previous concepts of estrogen activity and signaling in hair biology. Estrogens are postulated to modulate hair growth by influencing other hormones, growth factors, transcription factors, and cytokines.

In a study of premenopausal and postmenopausal women without alopecia, menopausal status significantly influenced hair parameters, specifically hair growth rate, anagen percentage, and hair diameter distributions, most notably on the frontal scalp.
Hair density decreased with age, but did not correlate with menopausal status.
Analyses of hair quantity using a model of hair density and hair diameters suggest that the impact of changing hair parameters is most noticeable in the mid-forties for women. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2011.10629.x

Incidence and prevalence of hair loss in menopause

Hair loss is a common symptom of menopause and affects up to 50% of women.
The incidence of hair loss increases with age and can occur at any time during menopause. Women may experience hair loss in patches or all over the scalp. The severity of hair loss can vary, with some women experiencing only minor thinning and others experiencing significant hair loss.

Hormonal changes during menopause can have a significant impact on hair growth and maintenance because estrogen, progesterone, and androgen levels fluctuate, affecting the hair cycle. Estrogen helps promote hair growth by extending the anagen phase of the hair cycle.
As estrogen levels decrease, the hair cycle shortens, leading to less time growing .
Además, los niveles de andrógenos pueden aumentar, lo que lleva a la miniaturización del folículo piloso y, finalmente, a la caída del cabello.

The North American Menopause Society conducted a study with the goal of identifying the prevalence of female pattern baldness, hair characteristics, and associated factors in healthy postmenopausal women.
To do this, 200 postmenopausal women aged 50 to 65 years were recruited.
Each participant was assessed according to Ludwig’s classification using standardized global photography in all six views and trichoscopy for hair density and diameter.

The result was that the prevalence of female pattern baldness was high in postmenopausal women, raising the need to raise awareness about hair loss in menopausal studies.
Early detection and appropriate treatment of FPHL can improve the quality of life for postmenopausal women.
DOI: 10.1097/GME.00000000000001927

What about the thyroid? Hypothyroidism is a common and well-recognized cause of diffuse hair loss, but we’ll cover it in our next article.

Nutritional deficiencies and hair loss in menopause

Nutritional deficiencies can contribute to hair loss in menopause.
Certain vitamins and minerals are essential for hair growth and maintenance, including vitamin D, zinc, and biotin.
A deficiency of these nutrients can lead to brittle and weak hair and eventually hair loss.
Women may also experience hair loss as a result of strict dieting or malnutrition.

Treatment Options for Hair Loss in Menopause

There are several treatment options available for menopausal hair loss, including medications, supplements, and lifestyle changes. Supplements such as zinc, biotin, and other B vitamins can also help with healthy hair growth.
Lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress, quitting smoking, and improving nutrition, can also help improve hair health.

One of our options is the renewed formula that we have considered at Salengei and it is the Active Capilar Plus, which proposes a multifunctional approach to hair loss, and within its actions focuses on increasing thickness and density.
On the other hand, it helps prevent hair loss in menopause and reduces inflammation of the scalp.

Below we describe the components present in Active Capilar Plus:

• Zinc is an essential mineral required by hundreds of enzymes and multiple transcription factors that regulate gene expression.
  While the exact mechanism of action is unclear, one possibility centers on its role as an essential component of numerous metalloenzymes important in protein synthesis and cell division.
  Another possibility would be in the Hedgehog signaling pathway, a critical component in the pathways that govern hair follicle morphogenesis. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-9822(98)70443-9
• The role of vitamin D in the proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes is well known in the field of dermatology.
  The vitamin D receptor, independent of vitamin D, plays an important role in the hair cycle, specifically in anagen initiation.
  Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that is synthesized in epidermal keratinocytes under the influence of UV-B light (290-315 nm) or acquired in diet and dietary supplements.
  Vitamin D needs both 25- and 1-alpha-hydroxylation to become the active hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. It is estimated that approximately 3% of the human genome is regulated directly or indirectly by the vitamin D endocrine system. https://doi.org/10.5070/D38s34p6b7
• Biotin, vitamin B7 or vitamin H, serves as a cofactor for carboxylation enzymes.
  Deficiency symptoms include eczematous rash, alopecia, and conjunctivitis.
  Deficiency is seen in cases of congenital or acquired deficiency of biotinidase or carboxylase or use of antibiotics that alter the gastrointestinal flora.
  DOI: 10.1016/j.jaad.2008.07.001
• The vitamin B complex includes eight water-soluble vitamins: thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), vitamin B6, biotin (B7), folate, and vitamin B12, which aid in cellular metabolism.
  The recommended daily amounts of these vitamins can be achieved with a balanced diet, with the exception of biotin, which is the only B vitamin the body produces.
  Deficiencies of riboflavin, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12 have been associated with hair loss.
  In the case of Active Capilar Plus, it is advisable to consume 1 pearl of product per day, at least for 6 months, since the hair growth process is slow.

Conclusion

Hair loss is a common symptom of menopause and affects up to a very high percentage of women.
Causes of menopausal hair loss can include hormonal changes, genetic predisposition, and nutritional deficiencies.

In view of this, we have reformulated a product that we had on the market, Active Capilar is now Active Capilar Plus, adding B vitamins, vitamin D, copper and iodine in order to cover the possible deficiency of these nutrients.

Understanding the causes of female pattern alopecia and working on the right supplementation can help women take control of their health and find effective results. We have also decided to address hair loss during menopause due to the high interest of our clients.
This work aims to help women improve their self-esteem, confidence and quality of life in general.