Article for Women Issues

Menopause is one of the most common causes of female hair loss and one of the least happily endured symptom. Female hair loss can be pretty devastating to any woman in today’s modern society
which emphasizes the importance of an attractive hairdo. Just think on the thriving multi-billion dollar in the hair care industry and the numerous advertisements on shampoo
styling products and hair loss treatments.

Like childbirth
menopause is a natural occurring state for women and – also like childbirth – the changes manifested in the body can be traumatic. Women begin menopause between the ages of 30 and 70
with most beginning between the mid 40s and mid 50s. However
menopause can occur unnaturally
that is
after surgery or medical treatment. In this case
the symptoms may be much more severe and female hair loss is much more likely.

Female hair loss is not a guaranteed symptom of menopause. It is less common than
for example
hot flashes and mood changes. Women experience female hair loss to varying degrees and some don't experience at all.

Exactly what causes hair loss is still not clear. But many experts have said that the most common cause is androgenetic alopecia or genetic balding. This refers to a genetic process whereby individual hair follicles metabolizes the sex hormone testosterone. Menopausal women experiencing hair loss experience a higher rate of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone
or DHT. It is the effect of DHT on hair follicles that results in heair loss.

In the same respect
women who have abnormally high levels of male sex hormones can also experience thinning of scalp hair. Signs that these women display include plenty of body and facial hair
abnormal menstrual patterns and enlarged clitoris.

In addition
factors like anemia
thyroid disorders
fungal infections and stressful life situations can cause hair loss in menopausal women.

In the same way that female hair loss shows itself as a manifestation about three months after the originating cause begins
so too does female hair loss take about three months to show the effects of treatment. Estrogenic treatments like soy isoflavones or hormone replace therapies
will need to be implemented for about three months before you can determine whether or not it's working for you.

How negative a menopausal woman feels towards her hair loss differs from individual to individual. In situations where it affects her quality of life and self esteem
it is best to address the problem quickly. A proper evaluation by a professional for causes of hair loss is necessary to determine the underlying medical conditions and an appropriate course of treatment that produce the condition.