Symptoms — hair loss & dry skin

Are you kidding, this too?

Approximately one-third of menopausal women report noticeable hair loss (called “alopecia”) or change in hair growth during the change of life. This can be very unsettling!

Thinning hair or hair loss in women at this age is often due to a drop in estrogen in comparison to testosterone, which may not decrease at the same rate. The result is a net excess of testosterone, contributing to hair loss on the head and hair growth in unwanted areas.

The good news is that menopausal hair loss due to falling estrogen levels is usually temporary and improves gradually. However, other causes of hair loss, such as elevated stress hormones and many other systemic imbalances, are not so transient, so they are important to address.

Many women also complain of dry skin or changes in their skin during perimenopause or menopause. Dry skin can also be attributed to a decrease in all the reproductive hormones and in collagen production. As the hormones diminish, they are less available to stimulate the oil glands in the skin, resulting in dry skin and wrinkles. Deficiencies in essential fatty acids and nutrients in the diet can be a major cause of skin conditions as well.

Some medical conditions, including thyroid problems, can also cause hair loss or thinning hair. It is important to discuss any abrupt alopecia or skin condition with your healthcare provider to be sure there is no serious underlying medical condition. Once you have been cleared, you can then attribute it to probable fluctuating reproductive hormones, elevated stress hormones, and/or nutritional deficiencies, which are mostly within your control.

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Last Modified: 02/16/2010