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And…Barbara Hannah Grufferman will moderate a panel on menopause at The Three Tomatoes Renewal Summit on May 13, 2022 in NYC.

What fresh hell is this? Isn’t it enough that eyes, skin and vaginas get dry . . . but hair, too? Worse . . . it starts to fall out.  What the Heck?

Estrogen levels drop during menopause and really take a nosedive once a woman transitions to postmenopause, and as we discuss in every issue of Menopause Cheat Sheet, this causes a whole bunch of changes. The texture, volume and condition of hair is one of them. It is the rare woman who does not experience hair that’s thinner and drier after menopause. In fact, new research says that over half of all women over 50 experience hair loss. So, whatever stage of menopause you’re in, it’s best to just go with the facts, and accept this as a bit of a fait d’accompli.

Top Reasons Why Hair is Changing.

We get so many emails from readers who want to know why this happening, and just as important, what to do about it.

First, why is this happening? There are a few possible causes. Hormonal factors may be at play — loss of estrogen, as well as increased testosterone, and other hormonal abnormalities such as thyroid dysfunction, can all lead to hair loss. Other reasons include genetics, inflammation, auto-immune diseases, environmental, iron deficiency. and metabolic abnormalities (increased insulin). So the best advice is to seek medical attention if you begin to notice hair loss. Dr. Margaret Nachtigall, the Medical Director of Menopause Cheat Sheet, usually recommends that women consult with an endocrinologist, who can help assess the reasons behind the hair loss. And then see a board-certified dermatologist to determine the best treatment and products to stop further hair loss.

 OK, So Now What?

Don’t despair! There are tricks and treatments. Some of them can help stop hair from thinning further (if that’s your biggest issue), and others can help bring back much-needed moisture to make it look less dull and dry. Keep reading . . .

Stop Hair Loss. 

We consulted with Dr. Doris Day, a NYC-based dermatologist with a client base that is comprised primarily of menopausal and postmenopausal women. Dealing with hair loss after menopause is one of her many specialties. Barbara did a short interview with Dr. Day to discuss the newest treatments, which you can watch right here.

But also be sure to watch the conversation we had with Dr. Jeannine Downie to get a list of the treatments she highly recommends to help stop — and even reverse — hair loss.

And you can watch this video Barbara did with a top NYC stylist who specializes in thinning hair. Great tips and product recommendations! Watch here.

Bring Back the Shine.

Almost all women experience some level of hair loss after menopause, but the biggest beauty complaint we hear about is how hair gets dull and dry. It’s almost as if the moisture gets zapped right out of every single strand. Here’s a cheat sheet on how to make hair healthier (which Barbara follows religiously):

• use less shampoo, more conditioner, and even consider coating strands with conditioner while you shampoo, rinse, and then condition again
• experiment with different gels and foaming mousses to see which one keeps out the frizz and adds volume
• try your best to let hair air dry as often as possible
• use styling tools like flat irons and curling wands sporadically, if at all
• consider getting hair colored professionally instead of at home
• get the right cut, preferably with some layers