How to Treat Menopause-Related Hair Loss

Dermatologist Noah Scheinfeld estimates that up to 75 percent of menopausal women suffer from female pattern hair loss. Menopausal women with this condition often see extensive hair loss from the top of their head. They also might notice that individual strands of hair become smaller in diameter, which increases the appearance of excessive hair loss. According to Scheinfeld, the role of hormones in female alopecia is not yet understood, and therefore there are limited options in treating menopause-related hair loss.

Step 1
Visit your doctor. It is easy to assume your hair loss, like your hot flashes, is a symptom of menopause, but it could have other causes. Your doctor can examine your scalp and review your general health to ensure there are no underlying medical causes for your hair loss.

Step 2
Talk to your doctor about using minoxidil if there are no underlying medical causes for your hair loss. Minoxidil, commercially known as Rogaine, is the only FDA-approved drug for treating female pattern hair loss. You can purchase the 2 percent topical product over the counter at many drugstores and some beauty supply stores.

Step 3
Use minoxidil as directed. In most cases, you apply minoxidil topically twice a day to the scalp in the area where you are experiencing thinning. It might take up to four months before you see any type of regrowth, and if you stop applying the minoxidil you probably will lose any hair that you have regrown.

Step 4
Take 300 mcg of biotin supplements daily. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, biotin supplements have been shown to have limited ability to regrow hair in children. No clinical data conclusively proves that taking biotin can cause hair in women to regrow. However, biotin is an essential B vitamin connected with the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and amino acids needed to manufacture the protein the body uses to create skin, hair and nails. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.

Step 5
Massage your scalp regularly to increase the blood flow. Increasing the blood flow to your scalp can help encourage the delivery of more nutrients to your hair follicles, which might help to encourage hair regrowth. You can massage your scalp yourself using the pads of your fingertips or visit an acupuncturist who can use a special tool to increase the blood flow in your scalp.

Step 6
Use aromatherapy to encourage hair regrowth. Lavender, rosemary, thyme and cedarwood are traditionally used to encourage hair growth. Mix one to two drops of these essential oils into a carrier oil like jojoba, and apply to your scalp one to two times a week for the best results.