Menopausal women deal with a lot of symptoms: hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of libio, mood swings, frequent UTIs, thinning hair and insomnia to name a few. Which symptoms, the severity of these symptoms, and how long they last vary from woman to woman. Women in their 50s with severe symptoms can seek relief through Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT).
Generally, HRT is not used to treat hair thinning or hair loss. However, this is an added benefit for women who are using HRT. The estrogen hormone stimulates the hair follicles to grow thick, dense hair. This is because the hair stays in the growing stage longer so more hair is produced. This can be clearly seen during pregnancy. Women who are pregnant have thick beautiful hair. In addition, estrogen reduces the negative effect which testosterone has on hair growth.
Another component of HRT is progesterone. Progesterone helps by increasing the production of estrogen. In addition, Progesterone inhibits the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is needed to convert testosterone to DHT (dihydrotestosterone). DHT is directly linked to hair loss especially in men.
The reduction of these hormones during menopause is the main reason for hair loss and baldness in women. In a strange twist of fate, the reduction of estrogen also gives rise to increased facial hair.
Every woman knows that menopausal symptoms are due to hormone imbalances. The hormones are out of balance because estrogen levels gradually decrease over time, whereas, progesterone levels fall suddenly. When the delicate balance of these two hormones is thrown off, the menopausal symptoms listed above are the result. HRT can put these hormones back in balance until the body can adjust to the changes.
HRT or hormone replacement therapy is a primary treatment option for women experiencing menopausal problems. HRT is never a mainstream treatment for hair loss, but if severe hair loss is one of several symptoms be experienced, it can help. The side effects of HRT can be serious and need to be taken into consideration before starting treatment.
For more information on HRT, contact Metro MediSpa at 888-637-7228.
