Why do women lose hair during menopause?
Hair loss during perimenopause and menopause can be attributed to hormonal changes. Estrogen, a hormone that plays a role in maintaining hair thickness and growth, decreases during these normal hormonal cycles. The androgen hormone levels, including testosterone, may remain constant or slightly increase, leading to hair thinning or hair loss patterns more commonly associated with male-pattern baldness.
These hormonal shifts can upset the natural hair growth cycle. Hair follicles may enter a resting phase (telogen phase) more frequently, leading to increased shedding. Additionally, the new hair that grows during the growth phase (anagen phase) may become thinner and less pigmented.
The good news is not all women will experience noticeable hair loss during perimenopause or menopause, and the extent of hair loss may vary. If you’re concerned about excessive hair loss, consulting with a healthcare professional or a dermatologist can be helpful to provide personal guidance and treatment options.
What are some weird symptoms of menopause?
Menopause is a normal hormonal cycle for women that typically occurs around 51yr but symptoms can begin up to 10 years earlier. The most common symptoms include irregular periods, hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, depression, anxiety, mood swings, feeling apprehensive, weight gain or loss, fatigue, poor concentration, memory loss, vaginal dryness and heart palpitations.
Here are some symptoms that many women do not connect to this second chapter of life.
- Allergies
Many women experience a worsening of their allergies during menopause. Some women even develop a new onset of allergies as a result of increase production of histamines that cause allergic reactions.
- Joint Pain & Stiffness
Estrogen is a great body hydrator and also fights inflammation throughout the body, especially in the joints. When a woman goes into menopause and loses estrogen production, the joints can become less lubricated and more inflamed causing aches, pains and menopausal arthritis.
- Frozen Shoulder
There is a connection between menopause and frozen shoulder due to the hormonal changes. Even though there is little medical evidence to show a direct link, it’s commonly seen in women going into menopause.
- Brittle Nails
Keratin is the substance responsible to keep nails strong and healthy. Estrogen also helps hydrates and nourish the nails. With menopause, the loss of estrogen and a decrease in keratin, the nails become drier, weaker and break more easily.
- Change in the Mouth
Changes in taste, a burning tongue and dry mouth are not unusual during menopause. There are estrogen receptors in the mouth that that are disrupted by menopause causing these symptoms. Dryness of mucous membranes throughout the body is common. A dry mouth and low production of saliva can increase the risk of getting cavities and gum disease.
- Itching
Since estrogen is the perfect body hydrator. Estrogen helps hydrate the skin. When there is a decrease in estrogen the skin can become drier and itchier. The vulva is especially more prone to dryness and itching as a result.
Other surprising symptoms of menopause
- Body odor or change in smell
- Pins and needles or tingling sensation
- Heighten sensitivity to smell
- Dizziness or balance problems
- Heart Palpitations
- Nighttime teeth grinding or jaw pain
- Frequent Urinary Tract Infections
- Loss of sex drive
- Trouble having an orgasm
Many of these symptoms can improve with targeted treatments (lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, nonhormonal medications, pelvic-floor therapy, or symptom-specific care). If something feels odd or persistent, bring it up with your healthcare provider — menopause can look different for everyone, and you don’t have to just “tough it out.
Is Brain fog in perimenopause and menopause real?
Brain fog in perimenopause and menopause is real—and if you’ve been feeling forgetful, mentally sluggish, or just not yourself, you’re not alone.
62% of people suffer from brain fog, slower thinking, difficulty in concentrating and memory lapses beginning in perimenopause and it can feel like early dementia for many.
Brain fog is an under-researched topic but more is currently being done to understand this common and upsetting symptom.
Different parts of the brain have hormone receptors and deteriorating estrogen levels affect cognition and memory. BUT it is also important to know that brain fog is also influenced by our gut health, blood sugar balance, inflammation, cortisol levels and sleep quality.
Healthy lifestyle habits including a healthy diet, adequate sleep, regular exercise, managing stress, supporting gut health and keeping your mind active are helpful minimizing brain fog.
You can also consider hormone replacement therapy if brain fog and other menopausal symptoms are disruptive to your day-to-day activities
Can hormone therapy (HT) help with brain fog?
There are exciting and recent studies showing the positive connection between Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and hormone therapy (HT).
Estrogen based HT may be a potential strategy in preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
The guru of Alzheimer’s Disease and Menopause is the extraordinary Dr Lisa Mosconi, the true leader in this conversation who says “Estrogen is also vital for the brain’s ability to defend itself against aging and damage. The decline in E during M not only alters the functioning in some brain regions, it is also thought to change brain’s structure”. So basically our brains volume decreases with aging and with the loss of estrogen and testosterone
Studies show when HRT is used when symptoms of M begin, the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease dropped by 35 to 70%. Now the timing is key. When HT was started around the time that menopausal symptoms began, there was a reduction in your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Please don’t forget. If you want to reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, start HT as soon as your menopausal symptoms begin to give yourself the best protection!
