How to Limit Hair Loss During Menopause

By Robin Westen

During menopause your body's hormonal balance shifts. Testosterone production increases at the same time estrogen levels decrease. The result? You’ll find more hair than usual in your drain and on your brush. But try not to worry. These are tips you can use right now to help keep more of your healthy locks in place.

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Control Stress One of the many side effects of being anxious or riding an emotional roller coaster is that you can lose hair. Find healthy outlets to express your feelings and limit stress. Meditation, yoga, visualization with progressive muscle relaxation, as well as a moderate (not too strenuous) regular exercise will help.

Get Hands-On Try scalp massage or acupuncture. Both these techniques stimulate blood flow to the scalp. Increased circulation gets more nutrients to hair follicles keeping them healthy. Massage also lowers stress levels by increasing production of the body's "feel good" hormones.

Get Your Nutrients Excessive hair loss can be a symptom of nutrient deficiencies so eat foods that provide plenty of the vitamins and minerals your hair needs to stay strong and healthy. These include iron, calcium, magnesium, copper, zinc, essential fatty acids, and vitamins B, C, D and E.

Stay Away from Processed and Refined Carbs Eating too many simple carbohydrates can cause your body to produce more insulin than it can use. Increased insulin in the bloodstream leads to higher testosterone production, which contributes to hair loss.

Test for Metabolic disorders Hair loss can be a symptom of thyroid dysfunction, as well as problems with kidney or liver function, or insulin resistance. Correcting hormonal imbalances and other endocrinology problems can stop future hair loss.

Nix Crazy Diets Just eating grapefruit? Or on a five day fast? When you don’t get adequate protein in your diet, you’ll be more likely to shed hair and if you already have hair loss, it can worsen. If you need to lose extra pounds, opt for a sensible diet that balances a reasonable amount of calorie loss with exercise.

Choose the Right Shampoo Buy a shampoo that will nourish your scalp and not one that can cause irritation and clog your follicles by leaving sediments on your scalp. FYI: Each time you clean your hair also massage your scalp.

Let Loose Hair accessories can affect the health of your hair, especially if they pull your hair tight.

Avoid Chemicals Maybe you don’t want to give up dying your hair, but consider stopping some of the other processes that can trigger hair loss like straightening, perms, and highlighting. The chemicals used in hair treatments can deplete the interior configuration and external connections of the hair passage. This can lead to additional hair loss.

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Robin Westen is ThirdAge's Medical Director. Check for her daily updates. Her latest book, co-written with Dr. Alyssa Dweck, is "V is for Vagina."