Promoting Hair Growth During Menopause

Hair loss and menopause is a common concern for women. The psychological and aesthetic impact of age-related hair changes in women is substantial, affecting their perceived age and overall well-being. Female pattern hair loss, also known as androgenetic alopecia, is the most commonly diagnosed form of alopecia among women over the age of 60. While the exact causes are still being studied, it is now recognized as a complex condition influenced by various factors, including hormonal changes associated with aging, hair loss, and menopause.

Hormonal Changes: Menopause and Hair Loss

Menopause brings about significant hormonal changes, including a rapid decline in ovarian estrogens and a relative increase in androgens. These hormonal shifts can negatively impact hair health. Women undergoing menopause may experience a decrease in hair growth rate, the percentage of hairs in the active growth phase (anagen), hair diameter, and changes in hair diameter distribution. Additionally, there is an increase in hair miniaturization, which further exacerbates hair loss during menopause.

Limited Treatment Options for Hair Loss During Menopause

Despite the prevalence of hair thinning in menopausal women, there is a lack of controlled studies evaluating effective interventions. Currently, treatment options are limited, and most have been developed to target specific aspects of hair loss. For example, androgen-inhibiting therapies like finasteride and spironolactone have been used off-label for post-menopausal women but have shown inconsistent results in clinical studies.

Menopause and Hair Loss: A Novel Approach

In response to the limited treatment options for menopausal hair thinning, a novel nutraceutical supplement has been developed specifically for menopausal women. Nutrafol® Women’s Balance Capsules are formulated with phytoactives designed to improve hair growth and quality.

Hair Loss and Menopause: A Promising Study

A six-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Nutrafol® Women’s Balance Capsules in women with self-perceived hair thinning during perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. The study found promising results:

• Increased Terminal and Total Hair Counts: Women who took the nutraceutical supplement experienced a progressive and statistically significant increase in terminal and total hair counts on days 90 and 180 compared to those taking a placebo.
• Vellus Hair Improvement: The active treatment group also saw a significant increase in vellus hair counts by day 180, while the placebo group experienced a decrease.
• Reduced Hair Shedding: Hair shedding progressively decreased for the active group, culminating in a significant reduction of 32.41% by day 180.

The study supplement was well-tolerated, further supporting its potential as a viable option for menopausal women seeking to address hair thinning.

We Offer Comprehensive Hair Loss Treatment and Support

Dr. Barad recognizes that hair loss during menopause is a multifactorial issue influenced by hormonal changes, aging, genetics, and environmental factors. As ongoing research continues to explore solutions for menopausal hair thinning, women now have a potentially effective option to consider to maintain healthy and vibrant hair during their menopausal stage of life. While treatment options have been limited, a nutraceutical supplement like Nutrafol® Women’s Balance Capsules offers promising results in promoting hair growth and improving hair quality for menopausal women.

As ongoing research continues to explore solutions for menopausal hair thinning, we encourage you to request a consultation with Dr.Barad at our Pittsburgh office for hair loss treatment options. We can help identify the best treatment to help maintain healthy and vibrant hair during this stage of life.