The ‘hidden’ symptom of the menopause most women have no idea about

MANY symptoms of menopause are well documented.

Hot flashes, brain fog and weight gain are just a few signs of the changes millions of women go through every year.

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But fewer people are talking about, or even aware of, the hair loss that comes with menopause.

Hair loss can be very difficult and distressing at any age.

This is especially the case during menopause, when hormonal and physical changes can affect your mood and confidence.

A poll conducted by Newson health found that 40 percent of women experience hair loss during menopause.

According to Harley Street trichologist Dr. According to Hugh Rushton, menopausal hair loss is primarily due to a change in hormones.

This type of hair loss is called androgenetic alopecia and often resembles male pattern baldness, starting at the top of the head.

“Menopause, with its sharp decline in estrogen and progesterone, inadvertently provides more ‘playground’ for androgens,” the doctor explained

Estrogen and progesterone are predominantly female hormones, while androgens are male hormones.

“And these male hormones, if left unregulated, can contribute to hair loss,” he said.

“It is important to understand that androgens are not inherently harmful.

“They are essential for various bodily functions, but the body’s sensitivity to them can be counterproductive to hair health in some people, especially during menopause,” the expert added.

However, the good news is that hair loss caused by hormonal changes is manageable.

dr Hugh said, “Treatments such as minoxidil, a topical medication known to stimulate hair growth, may be helpful.”

“In addition, anti-androgen preparations and certain hormone replacement therapies (HRT) can also be used to counteract the effects of androgens on the hair follicles.”

What is menopause?

During menopause, periods stop due to lower hormone levels.

This usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55.

According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of menopause include:

• changes in your mood
• problems with memory
• hot flashes
• Difficulty sleeping
• Dry skin
• Reduced sex drive
• vaginal dryness
• Changes in body shape and weight gain
• palpitations
• Headache
• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

HRT can help relieve some of these symptoms.

However, due to decades of misinformation, many women may be afraid to use HRT and doctors may be reluctant to prescribe it.

Certain treatments have been out of stock since 2018 due to supply chain and manufacturing issues exacerbated by the pandemic and increased demand.

This means that millions of people could potentially miss out on HRT, which is considered the most effective medical treatment for menopausal symptoms.

The Sun’s Fabulous Menopause Matters campaign was launched in October 2021 to empower women to claim the healthy menopause they deserve and is demanding free hormone replacement therapy for all.