There are many symptoms of the menopause that can be really uncomfortable for those going through it. Hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, memory loss, concentration issues, and reduced libido may be just a few of the things that you are currently struggling with.
But arguably the worst symptom in terms of self-confidence can be the fact that the menopause can accelerate the loss and thinning of your hair.
For women, your hair can be a form of identity and self-expression, and if you’re struggling to come to terms with hair loss, please know that you are not alone.
The only small silver lining here is that thinning hair won’t necessarily trigger baldness. Instead, over time it creates thinner spots around the head gradually. But it can be reversed.
In this article, we’ll take a look at what may be causing your hair to thin and a few ways that you can try and combat this. And hopefully, in no time at all, we’ll be able to get your confidence back and have you feeling a little more like yourself again!
Why Your Hair Might Be Thinning
Okay, so hair thinning can definitely be a symptom caused by menopause, but there may also be a few other reasons why this is happening at a faster rate.
There are a few behaviors that can encourage hair loss and further aggravate the problem. And these are behaviors that you’re going to want to try and avoid where possible. Let’s take a look at some of them now.
Overtreating Your Hair
Overtreating your hair can come in many forms, constantly dying your hair, getting perms or relaxers, or pretty much any other treatment.
If you’re used to constantly treating your hair there’s a good chance that your hair will thin at a quicker rate so during the menopause it may be a good idea to try and rock your natural hair where possible.
Using Harsh Products
In the same way that harsh chemicals in treatments can encourage hair thinning, so can the ingredients in harsh hair products. So, you may want to avoid products such as temporary hair colors, extreme-hold gels, extreme-hold hairsprays, and dry shampoo.
Tight Hairstyles
While it may be convenient to tie your hair up in that tight ponytail it should be avoided where possible as it can tug on your hair and break it at the follicle which causes further thinning.
Ways To Reverse Thinning Hair
Now that we know a few different ways to avoid thinning our hair any further, let’s take a look at some of the ways that we can reverse the issue once it has already begun.
Regular Scalp Massages
Unhealthy scalps can also be a culprit for thin hair, regularly massaging and stimulating your scalp can help to make it much healthier.
You’ll massage your scalp in a similar fashion that you would for any other body part except you’ll want to be a little more gentle. This will encourage blood flow to your scalp.
If you don’t want to use your fingers to do this, you can also find a selection of products online that will help to rid the scalp of dead skin cells. You can get handheld scalp massagers along with a selection of brushes too.
Adding a scalp massaging serum to the mix can also really help to encourage hair growth, especially one that is designed to deal with age-related thinning.
Overall, this process helps to combat thinning hair as it stretches your hair follicle cells and stimulates proper blood flow.
Use An Anti-Thinning Shampoo
There are tons of different shampoos out there that can do a whole host of different things for your hair. And one of them is volumizing and anti-thinning shampoo. These help in two different manners.
Firstly, it can help thin hair look more voluminous than it actually is. So, this can be a really great option for those struggling with thinning hair as it will give you the appearance of much thicker and fuller hair.
Secondly, it contains ingredients that are proven to make your hair and scalp healthier. Ingredients such as amino acids and vitamins can help improve your scalp and this then leads to more hair production.
If you speak to a healthcare professional, you can even find prescription-strength varieties that will be even more effective.
Modify Your Diet
Believe it or not, your diet can play a huge role in how your hair thins or grows. Your hair is essentially a make-up of amino acids, peptide bonds, and protein, and if you feed these structures well, they will produce healthier-looking hair.
So, you’ll want to ditch the super sugary or highly processed foods and swap them out for some healthier options.
Be sure to eat a diet that is filled with proteins, zinc, iron, vitamin C, biotin, and healthy fats and you should find that you have all the nutrients needed to produce thick and healthy hair.
Take Supplements
There are tons of hair supplements available on the market that are specifically designed to help reverse the effects of thinning hair. Let’s take a look at some of the best options now.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is a kind of B vitamin that is responsible for producing the generation of new cells. Taking this supplement may encourage your hair follicles to produce more hair in thinner or balding areas.
Vitamin B7/Biotin
This vitamin that can be found in food is known for helping to improve hair health and growth and can also be found in supplement form.
Collagen Supplement
Collagen supplements that are intended for the scalp and skin can be very effective in helping to reverse thinning hair as they thicken hair density and also increase the volume of hair too.
Final Thoughts
There’s no denying that losing your hair, or your hair thinning, can be a heartbreaking side effect or symptom of the menopause. And if it’s left you feeling unconfident or insecure, please don’t feel alone. Anyone going through this feels the exact same.
But as you can see from this article, there are actually many steps you can take to try and avoid thinning the hair further and even reverse the effects of hair thinning. Try these today and take the first steps to a more confident and happier you!
I'm Clare, the owner and operator of Off The Couch, where I serve as a qualified Nutrition & Health Coach.
Based in Dublin, Ireland, I offer coaching services both locally and globally, providing personalized strategies in nutrition, stress management, sleep quality, and fitness.
My journey into this field began as I navigated my own chronic illnesses, including early menopause, Interstitial Cystitis, Lyme Disease, and hydrocephalus.
