Minoxidil lotion & prescription drugs can treat menopausal hair loss, often associated with hormonal
imbalance
Dr. Nanette Santoro explains to Giddy the causes and treatment options for menopausal hair loss, which is common among women.
Some 40% of women will begin experiencing a degree of hair thinning or hair loss in their 50s at the start of menopause, according to a study. A drop during menopause in the hormones estrogen and progesterone that promote hair growth triggers an increase in androgen production, which in turn causes hair follicles to shrink and hair to fall out at a faster rate.
“There are multiple factors operating during the transition to menopause, all of which seem to favor more androgen in the bloodstream or more being delivered to the skin,” said Dr. Santoro, adding that menopausal hair loss is most often caused by hormonal imbalance but also can be caused by high stress or nutrient deficiencies.
“Typical first-line treatments for the common cause of menopause-related hair loss are minoxidil lotion applied directly to the head,” she said. “Prescription drugs include ones that oppose androgen action at the level of the hair follicle in the skin, or by increasing liver metabolism of androgens.”