Physiological levels of estrogen cause hair to become thicker and more luxurious. On the other hand, when estrogen levels become low, hair begins to thin and lose strength. This has to do with estrogen’s hair-boosting powers and the profound effect this hormone has on the body.
Estrogen and Hair Loss
Estrogen is a female sex hormone that is generated in the ovaries and circulates throughout the body. Most people associate estrogen with fertility and menstrual cycle regulation. While this is one of its primary functions, it also profoundly affects hair quality.
Women produce estrogen throughout their lives and at different levels as they age and during menstruation. Estrogen helps build an egg follicle for release in the ovaries. When a woman becomes pregnant, estrogen levels remain high. As a result, research shows that pregnant women usually have stronger, healthier hair. However, after birth, when estrogen levels decrease again, some women report thinning hair or hair loss.
Some loss of hair is normal. Everyone sheds hair, but excessive shedding at one time results in severe thinning and baldness. Excessive shedding is directly associated with low estrogen levels.
Hair Loss and Menopause
Hormone levels in women usually remain high during childbearing years. Estrogen and progesterone regulate fertility, but around age 50, women’s levels plummet. It’s as if hormones dive off a cliff. This results in menopausal symptoms, including:
Hot flashes
Weight gain
Moodiness
Vaginal Atrophy
Dry skin
Weak bones
Depression
Insomnia
Low sexual energy
Hair loss
Low estrogen affects each woman differently. For some, hot flashes are a daily occurrence, and for others, it’s weight gain. And yet, for some, hair loss directly results from low hormones.
Also, menopause is not something that occurs overnight. Women are test-driving low hormones for months to even years before the big event. This is known as the perimenopause stage. So, women can have hair loss during that time as well. Menopause can also last for weeks to months. Or it can happen quickly without any symptoms.
Asking your mother about her experience can sometimes help you predict yours.
Even after menopause, hair loss can still result, even when women have become accustomed to living with low hormones.
Mental Effects of Hair Loss
Hair loss can affect both men and women. Yet it’s more common among men and carries less stigma. Women suffering from hair loss make them feel unattractive, embarrassed, or even ashamed. This may affect her relationships and how sexually desirable she feels. In addition, research has shown that hair loss can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health concerns.
Other Health Factors
Hair loss is directly related to hormonal changes for both men and women, but it can also be related to other health and lifestyle factors. For example, it can be associated with high stress levels, poor diet, or illness.
While hair loss can make you feel less attractive, it’s important to remember that it may not be permanent. Additionally, there are steps you can take to improve hair quality and quantity.
Reduce Stress
Stress is a silent killer that causes everything from heart disease to poor sleep. And, yes, thinning hair. However, research indicates that reducing stress can alleviate many physical ailments. Now, it’s easier said than done to minimize stress in one’s life, but it does start with looking at what is causing stress or what triggers it.
Make a list of when you feel stressed and find ways to mitigate it. Perhaps you decide to see a therapist or practice meditation. Or do something you love each day. Lowering stress naturally makes you feel more positive about life, increasing serotonin (a happy hormone) and decreasing cortisol (a stress hormone).
Make Time to Move
Daily exercise may seem like something too difficult to add in every day, but you’ll be glad when you do. Everyone is different and enjoys various physical activities, but the easiest one may be to take a walk, smell the flowers, and get your mind off daily stresses.
Exercise not only builds muscle but also promotes healthy thoughts and feelings of optimism about life. Which, in turn, can lower stress and increase hair quality.
Add Veggies to Your Plate
Your diet is also another crucial factor in optimizing hormonal balance. For example, vegetables are a low-calorie source of numerous essential nutrients your body needs. In the process, you may also slim the waistline, which may even further boost your self-esteem, along with thicker hair.
Vegetables also have a lot of water, something your body craves and needs. Drinking more water gives you the sensation that you’re fuller while moisturizing your mind, body, and hair from the inside out.
Supplement with Estrogen
Estrogen hormone therapy is a natural way to increase estrogen levels. Hormone therapy works by replacing missing hormones in the body. You have a few different choices. First, consult your physician and have the healthcare professional prescribe oral medication. Synthesized estrogen comes from processed horse urine. Some people prefer a more natural approach and look to bioidentical hormone replacement therapy with estrogen.
Bioidentical estrogen replacement therapy comes from wild yams, not horse urine. It mimics the exact estrogen compounds produced in the ovaries, so your body doesn’t know the difference. While you can find it in an oral form, topical estrogen cream is the best way to supplement it. Transdermal creams are applied directly to the skin. Through the dermis, the estrogen soaks through the layers to enter the bloodstream. It’s then transported to waiting receptors, including hair follicles.
Estrogen supplementation can also be combined with progesterone. Sometimes your body needs progesterone and estrogen for a complete hormone therapy experience.
Finding ways to prevent hair loss is a top priority for people with thinning or balding hair. One reason for the loss may be low estrogen levels. When you don’t have enough, your hair becomes thinner. Supplement with a high-quality estrogen cream to boost your hair quality.
Posted by Elizabeth
Lopez on December 17, 2021