Menopause & Hair Loss: Understanding the Connection

Hot flashes cannot directly cause hair loss, but they are two symptoms that are often experienced as a part of menopause. This generally occurs in women aged 51 or above, marking the end of their reproductive years.

Menopause

• Hormonal changes in menopause cause hot flashes and hair loss. The imbalance in the hormone estrogen is responsible for both symptoms; hot flashes do not cause hair loss.

Hair Loss

• Hair loss during menopause is called androgenic alopecia. This is also known as male pattern hair loss since the hair that falls out are controlled by androgens (male hormone).

Identification

• Women with androgenic alopecia have hair that thins from the hair line and recedes back. This hair loss may come out a little at a time or excessively.

Treatments

• Hot flashes are usually treated by increasing estrogen in a treatment called hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). This treatment may also slow down the rate of hair loss in menopausal women. One widely suggested treatment used for hair re-growth is called Minoxidil (Rogaine), available over-the-counter.

Considerations

• If you are experiencing hot flashes and thinning hair, arrange an appointment to see your physician in order to rule out any other health conditions that may cause these symptoms.