How to Manage Hair Loss During Menopause?

Many women fear menopause, which is when a woman stops menstruating in her life because her eggs are depleted with age.
The experience leads to well-known side effects such as hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, mood swings and insomnia, which usually occur in women in their 40s and 50s, but may occur earlier in some women due to certain medical conditions. Fluctuating hormones cause these side effects. A less noticeable effect than others is hair loss. In fact, the Harvard Women's Health Watch reports that up to two-thirds of postmenopausal women experience hair loss.

If you're worried about what menopause is doing to your hair, there are some simple lifestyle changes you can make.

1. Hydration

Water is essential for every system in your body, including your hair. It energizes hair cells and nourishes the root to promote growth. Dehydration alone can cause hair loss, and with excessive sweating and night sweats, menopausal women are even more prone to dehydration. So you should drink water often.

2. Get protein

If worry about weight gain in menopause is causing you to reduce your calorie intake, you may be depriving your hair of adequate protein. Most of your hair is made up of protein. Make sure to include two to three servings of healthy protein in your diet each day. Fish, egg whites, yogurt, lean meats, quinoa, beans and nuts are all great options for managing both your weight and your hair.

3. Be Kind

You can choose to camouflage the hair fall with style and color, but be sure to treat your curls gently. Harsh chemical products such as dyes, perms or straighteners can destroy the cuticle and break the hair shaft, exacerbating your hair loss problem. Natural products or ammonia-free hair dyes are usually best. Choose hairstyles that don't twist, rub, or pull your hair to avoid unnecessary stress to your hair shaft and roots. Brush or comb gently. Shedding is inevitable, but don't overdo it.

4. Reduce Stress

Menopause can raise your stress levels and the effect on your hair can be disastrous. Because stress can indirectly increase testosterone, a hormone that has been named one of the potential causes of hair loss in women. And when you're already starting to lose hair because your hormones are disrupted, adding more testosterone to the mix can make the problem worse. So, in a word - relax! The health of your hair depends on it.