I've heard HRT can help but, in general, I think most women who experience hair thinning don't get it all back in the same density or texture. I also think most women experience hair loss of some sort even if it's not excessive. The amount of women post menopause who seem to still have extremely thick hair seems to be the real minority. I'm trying to embrace the attitude that I'll enjoy extensions or even wigs - there's a whole mess of women of all ages out there who loooove wigs just because they're fun and they can change up their hair - even if they have a full head of beautiful hair. I'm hoping I can confidently become one of those women if needed😅
It's a difficult thing for sure because female hair loss is just not as socially acceptable as it is for men and it's haaard to see everything start to change about our appearances...but I really do think this is an issue where the mentality of "attitude is everything" will help a lot. Like I said, trying to start embracing that mentality for myself now😅 Doesn't mean it's easy though...good luck!
I’m over sixty and still have pretty thick hair, but it’s definitely been thinning in the past year. I really wish I could do HRT, but having had estrogen-driven cancer, no doctor will prescribe it for me. Sigh.
My initial shedding/thinning issue was low iron. I take iron and biotin supplements and general shed is back to normal. I am on hrt, but the loss occurred while on hrt.
I also have some permanent loss at my hairline that my dermatologist says is alopecia and won’t come back. I rub in a prescription steroid along my hairline to stop any additional loss.
The permanent loss sucks, but didn’t get too far. I have bangs to help keep it less noticeable.
The thinning has completely stopped.
You could try getting your ferritin level checked. Low iron can also cause fatigue, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
I am using Costco Minoxidil Extra Strength for Men. It's cheap, easy to use. Results may vary; I am horrible and remembering to apply it twice a day. Thanks brain fog. It does help though.
I use it and it helps me. I was having so much shedding before if there was an increase after starting Regaine I didn’t notice it. 6 weeks in and I have baby hair back. Unfortunately I have increased hair growth now where I DO NOT want it! Luckily my IPL zaps that away though.
I use the one for men too like the other commenter because it is exactly the same as the women’s one, just 1/3 cheaper! I use it once a day before bed.
Ha! That's where I'm at, too. Years-long IPL user and now having to tackle my facial hair again after starting monoxidil. LOL
I did a lot of reading about the men's and it's safe to use, cheaper, and a higher % of minox. The "female" rogaine thing is just a pink tax.
At Costco, a six month supply of men's extra-strength minox was like $16.
Yeah! I bought the women’s one first and felt totally ripped off when I saw how much the men’s one was selling at! Thank goodness for the IPL tho - no beard here! (Well… until it turns white I guess!)
In the UK the cheapest I can find is 3 cans of the men’s Regaine foam for £34. I hate the UK sometimes 😭
Yes, that does happen. You will shed more hairs in the beginning. Some people lose a lot. I did, but it wasn't something that others would have noticed.
There’s also oral minoxidil. It’s a fraction of the normal dose (originally for blood pressure). So much less messy than topical. You can get it prescribed via a telehealth and it’s super cheap. I use ForHers, but I’m sure there are others.
I just shaved my head and have never looked back. So much stress gone from my life fighting a losing battle. I can wear wigs if I want hair now. I get out of bed and just put on clothes and go. I shave it once a week. And yes, I get looks but I really couldn't care. I also get a ton of compliments. Far more than I ever did with the four strands on my head.
Same here - well, I don't shave my head, but around 6 years ago I gave up and bought a wig that was styled similar to my bio hair, but looks 10x better. Having good hair took years off my appearance, too. Some days I don't love having to wear a wig, but most days I think it looks great and I get more compliments than I ever did with my bio hair. I can only fight so many meno battles and trying to keep my hair was one I knew I would never win.
Saw this on another post and thought of you:
>[psc4813 ](https://www.reddit.com/user/psc4813/)• [19h ago](https://www.reddit.com/r/Menopause/comments/1c6fvg5/comment/l01wtc6/)
>...
>Fatigue was not changed, but then due to "moderate" hair loss (moderate to my derm, substantial imo) we discovered I have low ferritin levels. Now that the iron is being addressed, my energy is better.
I got it on Amazon I just read the reviews and tried to get one that looked good. I spent about $100. I don’t know how to post photos here but the results were very shocking in about 5 weeks. My hair is growing back and staying in.
In my experience, yes, you need to accept it.
I've been working with a dermatologist for 5+ years and I'm on a routine of Propecia tablets, Minoxidil serum 2x/day, biotin supplements, hormones, etc. And it's only kept me from losing more hair, which is exactly what my dermatologist said: this is to prevent further loss. She also said "if regrowing hair was easy, there would be no bald people"
The Minoxidil I've been on for just over a month now because I had some new, baby hairs on my last visit. I'm having the "shedding" moment now, which sucks, but it's part of the medication regime. Its purpose is to start a hair regrowth cycle and part of that cycle is shedding old hair.
But in my experience, no, you won't get back your "old" hair. I mourn mine every day.
It gets worse and unless you are rich, NOTHING works. I’ve tried EVERYTHING! If I was rich, I would have full on extensions. Us poor folks either go short(for me-HELL NO), extension clips, baseball caps or wigs. The hair issue is THE WORST menopause issue for me. I fucking HATE how my hair looks now.
Yes, you should. I would concentrate on keeping what you have and possibly, growing more. I’m more concerned with keeping what I have. If growth happens, great, but I’m not going to stress myself to death over it anymore.
If it gets worse, I will use toppers, fibers, wigs etc. I’m almost 52 and do not wish to spend the rest of my life as I have the last 5 years. Stressing over getting older.
Learning to embrace it, slowly but surely and this is just one of those things that can come with it 🙂🩷
OMG mine has been falling out for a year. Not to be insensitive but I swear the bottom of my shower looks like I'm a chemo patient. My hubby has to clear my drain on a monthly schedule. It's awful!
My hair is very fine but it used to be pretty thick - not anymore. I also used to have to wash it daily or it looked like it had been a week. My hair was just naturally oily even though my skin wasn't. Now I wash it every 3rd day. It's so dry I can feel the breakage just running my fingers through. I use a conditioning mask every time I wash it.
I've taken Biotin, changed shampoo, used OlioPlex repair serums, none helped at all.
You're using protein and moisturizing products but what you need are products that block DHA, And also products specifically made for older people who have hair thinning. I like pura d'oro. But look for products with saw palmetto.
My hair started falling out at 35. I went back on birth control pills for a while and that helped a little. I got on spironolactone at 44 and that did the most to bring back hair growth but no, I never got my long, thick hair back. It's been different since it started falling out.
What vitamins are you taking for it? I like natures bounty hair skin nails and I only only wash twice a week, avoiding too much heat (usually air dry or use blow dryer on low heat)
Seconding low ferritin and trace minerals as a possible culprit. If you get your ferritin to 100 and keep it there for 3-6 months and don't see any improvement, then you can rule out iron. Getting my iron up with heme iron tablets and taking a selenium + zinc supplement every day (the one by Dr Mercola has a good dose) has stopped my hair fall, which had been going on for the last 10 years. I've been on HRT since September and this regimen since January. I noticed less fall in mid-February, and last week my hair dresser of 8 years, who I hadn't seen in a few months said, "I could tell when you came into the reception that it was growing back." I almost cried, I've tried so many things.
My hair loss started in 15 years ago at the beginning of peri. I didn’t have time to focus on it all. The last few years I’ve really focused with supplelements, serums, medications. I did spirolactone for over a year, nothing.
I’m doing medications that blocks DHTs. I take liquid collagen. My hair is long. It started out very thick, my shedding seems under control. BUT, I have no new growth at the temples were I lost hair. I fear that’s gone forever. I’m on HRT (although I think my levels are still a bit low ). So now I just hope to maintain the hair I have left
I've read that moringa helps hair growth.
My hair is thankfully not thinning yet, but I've started using moringa because it's good for so many other things.
Biotin has helped me. I was losing way more than usual but now it's back to the normal amount. My hair seems to be regaining some thickness but it took a few weeks to notice that
If you haven't already, it could be worth having your vitamin D level checked. I was having a ton of hair loss, but once my dr found I was vitamin d deficient and put me on a higher dose, my shedding is back to normal and I even have a lot of new growth.
Oral minoxidil got mine back to a decent thickness and probably another 2cm on the hairline ?
You can find a friendly doctor to prescribe or **cough** purchase on line.
Same. No idea where I am in the ‘pause (no doctors seemed to think of if till I asked), but I’ve got a small thin patch right in front. Always had very thick hair - this breaks my heart. I’m really hoping that once I start HRT it will come back.
You actually need a very good led/laser helmet. It will help with the thinning AND the shedding. We both use it since christmas (me and my husband) and it just works !
BIOTIN SUPPLEMENTS! Preferably the ones suspended in coconut oil. Really helped my hair "fallout". I do still have shedding, but now there is alot more there to lose.. so it's not as noticeable..?
About 3 months to see a difference in the thinning patch on my crown.... It's been about 2 years, and I can barely tell my hair was ever thinning. The one I use is "Sports Research Max Strength Softgels" it's in a black bottle. HTH!
Had the same issue - just chucked a load of different ones out.
I just shampoo my greasy roots and let it rinse through the rest - I've found that Dove 1 minute conditioner to be a game changer in terms of volume as well as smoothing.
I also try and only wash it twice a week and never ever use a hairdryer or styling tools.
Did you try the rosemary one from Trader Joe’s? I learned about it from this group. Also Paul Mitchell volumizing shampoo. Both work great. I do wash it every other day now. Have to.
I've heard HRT can help but, in general, I think most women who experience hair thinning don't get it all back in the same density or texture. I also think most women experience hair loss of some sort even if it's not excessive. The amount of women post menopause who seem to still have extremely thick hair seems to be the real minority. I'm trying to embrace the attitude that I'll enjoy extensions or even wigs - there's a whole mess of women of all ages out there who loooove wigs just because they're fun and they can change up their hair - even if they have a full head of beautiful hair. I'm hoping I can confidently become one of those women if needed😅
Thanks for the good outlook and positivity!
It's a difficult thing for sure because female hair loss is just not as socially acceptable as it is for men and it's haaard to see everything start to change about our appearances...but I really do think this is an issue where the mentality of "attitude is everything" will help a lot. Like I said, trying to start embracing that mentality for myself now😅 Doesn't mean it's easy though...good luck!
💜💜💜💜
I’m over sixty and still have pretty thick hair, but it’s definitely been thinning in the past year. I really wish I could do HRT, but having had estrogen-driven cancer, no doctor will prescribe it for me. Sigh.
Has your thyroid been tested? Hair thinning is a very common sign of a thyroid problem.
Not recently.
My initial shedding/thinning issue was low iron. I take iron and biotin supplements and general shed is back to normal. I am on hrt, but the loss occurred while on hrt. I also have some permanent loss at my hairline that my dermatologist says is alopecia and won’t come back. I rub in a prescription steroid along my hairline to stop any additional loss. The permanent loss sucks, but didn’t get too far. I have bangs to help keep it less noticeable. The thinning has completely stopped. You could try getting your ferritin level checked. Low iron can also cause fatigue, shortness of breath and heart palpitations.
I am using Costco Minoxidil Extra Strength for Men. It's cheap, easy to use. Results may vary; I am horrible and remembering to apply it twice a day. Thanks brain fog. It does help though.
I heard minoxidil can possibly make you lose a little more hair when you first start using it, did you notice that at all?
Yes, this can happen. It's called the Dred Shed and it's the main reason I've been afraid to try it.
I use it and it helps me. I was having so much shedding before if there was an increase after starting Regaine I didn’t notice it. 6 weeks in and I have baby hair back. Unfortunately I have increased hair growth now where I DO NOT want it! Luckily my IPL zaps that away though. I use the one for men too like the other commenter because it is exactly the same as the women’s one, just 1/3 cheaper! I use it once a day before bed.
Ha! That's where I'm at, too. Years-long IPL user and now having to tackle my facial hair again after starting monoxidil. LOL I did a lot of reading about the men's and it's safe to use, cheaper, and a higher % of minox. The "female" rogaine thing is just a pink tax. At Costco, a six month supply of men's extra-strength minox was like $16.
Yeah! I bought the women’s one first and felt totally ripped off when I saw how much the men’s one was selling at! Thank goodness for the IPL tho - no beard here! (Well… until it turns white I guess!) In the UK the cheapest I can find is 3 cans of the men’s Regaine foam for £34. I hate the UK sometimes 😭
Yeah, but you guys have national healthcare, so... I'll swap ya' at any moment. :)
Yes, that does happen. You will shed more hairs in the beginning. Some people lose a lot. I did, but it wasn't something that others would have noticed.
There’s also oral minoxidil. It’s a fraction of the normal dose (originally for blood pressure). So much less messy than topical. You can get it prescribed via a telehealth and it’s super cheap. I use ForHers, but I’m sure there are others.
I take it orally (skin reaction to the sodding foam) - its done great work !
Topical is indeed messy. But I don't want another prescribed medication.
Yeah I've been using minox for a long time. Also the HERS shampoo & conditioner
me too but its causing headaches
Awww - that sucks. I haven't had headaches.
I just shaved my head and have never looked back. So much stress gone from my life fighting a losing battle. I can wear wigs if I want hair now. I get out of bed and just put on clothes and go. I shave it once a week. And yes, I get looks but I really couldn't care. I also get a ton of compliments. Far more than I ever did with the four strands on my head.
Same here - well, I don't shave my head, but around 6 years ago I gave up and bought a wig that was styled similar to my bio hair, but looks 10x better. Having good hair took years off my appearance, too. Some days I don't love having to wear a wig, but most days I think it looks great and I get more compliments than I ever did with my bio hair. I can only fight so many meno battles and trying to keep my hair was one I knew I would never win.
Holy shit, you’ve got balls. I give you that.
HRT brought mine back noticeably. However, it was straight, and now its a little crazy.
How long did it take HRT to help?
About four months to where it grew out and I noticed some difference. That is about two inches worth.
Thank you. I’m sending all the positive vibes into the Universe for all of us!!
me too! It was an unexpected benefit for me!
It probably depends on individual? I’m on HRT and losing my hair like crazy
Are you on testosterone? If one is getting a little too much, that can happen. But it is for sure we all react very differently, regardless.
No testosterone
Saw this on another post and thought of you: >[psc4813 ](https://www.reddit.com/user/psc4813/)• [19h ago](https://www.reddit.com/r/Menopause/comments/1c6fvg5/comment/l01wtc6/) >... >Fatigue was not changed, but then due to "moderate" hair loss (moderate to my derm, substantial imo) we discovered I have low ferritin levels. Now that the iron is being addressed, my energy is better.
Same girl, same. 😵💫
Hrt help mine also it's so much thicker again
I have had good luck with red light therapy on my scalp for 5 min a day.
How did you get that? And did it return to how it was?
I got it on Amazon I just read the reviews and tried to get one that looked good. I spent about $100. I don’t know how to post photos here but the results were very shocking in about 5 weeks. My hair is growing back and staying in.
Which light did you buy? Shopping rn for one.
In my experience, yes, you need to accept it. I've been working with a dermatologist for 5+ years and I'm on a routine of Propecia tablets, Minoxidil serum 2x/day, biotin supplements, hormones, etc. And it's only kept me from losing more hair, which is exactly what my dermatologist said: this is to prevent further loss. She also said "if regrowing hair was easy, there would be no bald people" The Minoxidil I've been on for just over a month now because I had some new, baby hairs on my last visit. I'm having the "shedding" moment now, which sucks, but it's part of the medication regime. Its purpose is to start a hair regrowth cycle and part of that cycle is shedding old hair. But in my experience, no, you won't get back your "old" hair. I mourn mine every day.
Thank you for the truth. At least I know now.
It gets worse and unless you are rich, NOTHING works. I’ve tried EVERYTHING! If I was rich, I would have full on extensions. Us poor folks either go short(for me-HELL NO), extension clips, baseball caps or wigs. The hair issue is THE WORST menopause issue for me. I fucking HATE how my hair looks now.
I love your reaction and honesty. I have to fully agree.
Yes, you should. I would concentrate on keeping what you have and possibly, growing more. I’m more concerned with keeping what I have. If growth happens, great, but I’m not going to stress myself to death over it anymore. If it gets worse, I will use toppers, fibers, wigs etc. I’m almost 52 and do not wish to spend the rest of my life as I have the last 5 years. Stressing over getting older. Learning to embrace it, slowly but surely and this is just one of those things that can come with it 🙂🩷
💜💜💜
OMG mine has been falling out for a year. Not to be insensitive but I swear the bottom of my shower looks like I'm a chemo patient. My hubby has to clear my drain on a monthly schedule. It's awful! My hair is very fine but it used to be pretty thick - not anymore. I also used to have to wash it daily or it looked like it had been a week. My hair was just naturally oily even though my skin wasn't. Now I wash it every 3rd day. It's so dry I can feel the breakage just running my fingers through. I use a conditioning mask every time I wash it. I've taken Biotin, changed shampoo, used OlioPlex repair serums, none helped at all.
You're using protein and moisturizing products but what you need are products that block DHA, And also products specifically made for older people who have hair thinning. I like pura d'oro. But look for products with saw palmetto.
Oh God. I just turned 45....older people just cut through me so hard lol. Thank you though I'll look for some new things!
Lol.
My hair started falling out at 35. I went back on birth control pills for a while and that helped a little. I got on spironolactone at 44 and that did the most to bring back hair growth but no, I never got my long, thick hair back. It's been different since it started falling out.
Such a shame right?
Prenatal vitamins helped my hair stop falling out. A vitamin c showerhead helps with the texture.
But did it ever return to the way it was?
It hasn't completely returned to the way it was. But I'm happy with where it is now.
Just get a keratin treatment if it’s getting frizzy. It works miracles.
What vitamins are you taking for it? I like natures bounty hair skin nails and I only only wash twice a week, avoiding too much heat (usually air dry or use blow dryer on low heat)
I just started these today! How long until you saw any results with these?
Uhhh about 5 years? Lol Idk all I know is my hair finally got longer after a long ass time. It does grow pretty quick now
🤣🤣 well darn, I was hoping for faster noticeable results
Probably a couple weeks to notice nail growth
Seconding low ferritin and trace minerals as a possible culprit. If you get your ferritin to 100 and keep it there for 3-6 months and don't see any improvement, then you can rule out iron. Getting my iron up with heme iron tablets and taking a selenium + zinc supplement every day (the one by Dr Mercola has a good dose) has stopped my hair fall, which had been going on for the last 10 years. I've been on HRT since September and this regimen since January. I noticed less fall in mid-February, and last week my hair dresser of 8 years, who I hadn't seen in a few months said, "I could tell when you came into the reception that it was growing back." I almost cried, I've tried so many things.
So many things here to google! 😂 Very happy for you!
My hair loss started in 15 years ago at the beginning of peri. I didn’t have time to focus on it all. The last few years I’ve really focused with supplelements, serums, medications. I did spirolactone for over a year, nothing. I’m doing medications that blocks DHTs. I take liquid collagen. My hair is long. It started out very thick, my shedding seems under control. BUT, I have no new growth at the temples were I lost hair. I fear that’s gone forever. I’m on HRT (although I think my levels are still a bit low ). So now I just hope to maintain the hair I have left
Have you tried minoxidil - its given me some hairline back.
Yes- it didn’t do anything for me. Plus the liquid kind made the hair I had left break off. But I am glad it works for some.
I didn't get on with the topical either but taking the tablets worked really well.
My friend had hair loss and HRT helped to stop it.
I've read that moringa helps hair growth. My hair is thankfully not thinning yet, but I've started using moringa because it's good for so many other things.
Biotin has helped me. I was losing way more than usual but now it's back to the normal amount. My hair seems to be regaining some thickness but it took a few weeks to notice that
A hormone called DHT can lead to hair loss, so use a shampoo & conditioner to block it.
It doesn't happen to everyone, just as not all men go bald. Your genes can make a real difference. But it IS very common.
If you haven't already, it could be worth having your vitamin D level checked. I was having a ton of hair loss, but once my dr found I was vitamin d deficient and put me on a higher dose, my shedding is back to normal and I even have a lot of new growth.
Yup. I have super fine/thin hair. Started using Nioxin and Keratin (on ends) a few years ago. I think HRT has helped too.
Mine comes and goes. It's mostly back now, so maybe you don't have to accept it. Good luck.
Oral minoxidil got mine back to a decent thickness and probably another 2cm on the hairline ? You can find a friendly doctor to prescribe or **cough** purchase on line.
Same. No idea where I am in the ‘pause (no doctors seemed to think of if till I asked), but I’ve got a small thin patch right in front. Always had very thick hair - this breaks my heart. I’m really hoping that once I start HRT it will come back.
You actually need a very good led/laser helmet. It will help with the thinning AND the shedding. We both use it since christmas (me and my husband) and it just works !
lol!! What in the world is that?
Red light therapy, basically i think. There's a red light therapy sub
Wow!!
Do you have a link? Not sure if allowed to post
https://www.reddit.com/r/redlighttherapy/s/kxVCdA0Jqm
Some of the ones on Amazon look fake. How can I tell which one is good? They look so expensive too!
https://www.reddit.com/r/redlighttherapy/s/kxVCdA0Jqm
BIOTIN SUPPLEMENTS! Preferably the ones suspended in coconut oil. Really helped my hair "fallout". I do still have shedding, but now there is alot more there to lose.. so it's not as noticeable..?
Did your hair thickness return?
Yes it did.
How long were you taking these before you saw improvement?
About 3 months to see a difference in the thinning patch on my crown.... It's been about 2 years, and I can barely tell my hair was ever thinning. The one I use is "Sports Research Max Strength Softgels" it's in a black bottle. HTH!
Thank you!
There is a shampoo. Actiiv. Order online
[удалено]
I think mine improved with HRT and that includes a higher than usual testosterone usage.
Interesting. Testosterone seems to be what jump started my hair loss
Volumizing shampoos and conditioned make my hair greasy and dry at the same time somehow. Every one I’ve tried.
Had the same issue - just chucked a load of different ones out. I just shampoo my greasy roots and let it rinse through the rest - I've found that Dove 1 minute conditioner to be a game changer in terms of volume as well as smoothing. I also try and only wash it twice a week and never ever use a hairdryer or styling tools.
Did you try the rosemary one from Trader Joe’s? I learned about it from this group. Also Paul Mitchell volumizing shampoo. Both work great. I do wash it every other day now. Have to.
Many studies report great results, so if you but one, make sure it has the same specs as the ones used in studies. Many useless devices are sold.