Baldilocks and The Three Hairs – OMG … utter bliss! Standing under my new rainfall showerhead and the warm water cascading over my body was such a welcome comfort after a long, challenging day! I closed my eyes and let the water take me away … pretty sure I was standing on the beach in Exumas, Bahamas and then …. something was amiss with this almost perfect moment.
I opened my eyes to see water pooling around my feet and inching its way up towards my ankles. DANG… so much for “end-of-day chill vibes.” As I got down on my hands and knees to investigate, I reminded myself that a clogged drain was not out of the ordinary in my home; however, I also realized that the number of times I found myself cleaning the shower drain had drastically increased in the last 2 months.
And thus, the content for my next article was staring me right in the face, much like the mass of slimy, blackened sludge I was pulling from the drain while trying not to gag!
Welcome to another fun chapter of menopausal madness… hair thinning! Can we get a round of applause, please, along with some champagne?
First, let’s address the root… pun intended… of the issue, and that is hormones. Specifically estrogen, or more accurately, the lack of it.
1. Estrogen: Your Former Best Friend
Estrogen plays a huge role in keeping your hair thick and healthy. It helps extend the hair growth phase (the anagen phase), which just means that your strands stay put longer before naturally shedding. However, when estrogen levels drop during menopause, that growth phase shortens, leading to increased shedding and slower regrowth. Oh GOODY!
2. Testosterone: The Sneaky Villain
Now, while estrogen is taking a backseat, testosterone, the hormone that’s always been lurking in the background, sees an opportunity to shine. Well DUH! Testosterone converts into dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a hormone that loves to shrink hair follicles, making them produce thinner, weaker hair until, eventually, they stop producing hair altogether. So if you’ve ever looked at your husband’s receding hairline and thought, “Oh, you poor fella,” well, guess what! DHT isn’t just HIS problem anymore. I like to think of it as us being “supportive team players!”
3. Nutrient Absorption Takes a Hit
Menopause can affect your body’s ability to absorb key nutrients like iron, biotin, and protein, which are all essential for healthy hair. So, even if you’re eating well, your hair might not be getting the nourishment it needs.
4. Stress… The Ultimate Hair Thief
Let’s be honest; menopause itself is stressful, right?! Between night sweats, mood swings, weight gain, an unpredictable bladder, and spontaneous flatulence, adding hair loss to the mix is just cruel. But here is what you need to understand: stress increases cortisol levels, which can disrupt hair growth cycles and accelerate shedding. More applause… insert sarcastic tone.
5. Thyroid Troubles & Other Medical Conditions
Hair thinning can also be linked to thyroid imbalances, another common issue during menopause. If you’re experiencing extreme hair loss, it’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions like hypothyroidism or anemia.
Now, here is the good news: You’re not alone. Nope, we are the “Baldilocks Sisterhood.” If you’ve ever cried while on your hands and knees cleaning the shower drain over lost strands in the shower, then know this: millions of menopausal women are in the same boat. As a matter of fact, a 2022 study published in the Journal of Menopausal Medicine found that nearly 50% of women experience significant hair thinning during menopause. That means that in every yoga class, office meeting, or girls’ night out, at least half the women are probably also staring at their scalps in horror when they catch their reflection in the unforgiving bathroom lighting.
So, are there any strand-saving solutions that actually work for women experiencing menopause? Yes, there are a few things we can do to keep our three remaining hairs thriving. Yes, that was sarcasm, too.
Feed Your Follicles
Your hair needs nutrients to grow, so give it the fuel it deserves, like protein and iron-rich foods, biotin, and vitamin B12, as well as collagen.
Check Your Shampoo & Styling Routine
If your shampoo bottle reads “volumizing” but makes your hair feel drier than a tumbleweed, it’s time for a change. Avoid sulfates and harsh chemicals, opt for shampoos with biotin, keratin, and natural oils, and skip the daily heat styling so that your fragile strands aren’t exposed to excessive stress.
Scalp Massages & Hair Oils
Massaging your scalp with oils like rosemary, castor, or coconut oil can help stimulate blood flow and hair growth. Plus, it’s a great excuse to give yourself a relaxing head massage.
6. Stress Less. I know, I know… easier said than done
Practices like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can help lower cortisol levels and keep your hair from falling out in stress-induced clumps.
Now, gals, the big takeaway I would really love for you to all get out of this article is this: You are not Baldilocks all alone in the woods. We’re all on this menopausal adventure together… three hairs and all!
If you’ll excuse me, I’m off to massage my scalp and whisper sweet nothings to my remaining strands. Wish me luck.
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