Ladies post menopause....

[LadyEliza]

do you notice a difference in the way your hair grows?

When I went through menapause at 40 my hair went from stick straight to very curly (some straight bits underneith still!)

But the other thing I've seemed to notice recently is that the growth has slowed down.

Now this could be because I've only started measuring again these last few months, and for the past 5 weeks I've been sick with pneumonia and on heavy antibiotics. I'm hoping that is the reason, and it's not something to do with this time of life!

What about you?

[spidermom]

I can't put my finger on anything in particular that has changed. It seems to be growing faster than ever before, but I think that's a combo of no flat- or curling-irons and gentle care.

[Deborah]

My hair seems the same as always. It has always grown very fast, and it still does. I bet your slow-down is due to your illness.

Here's wishing you good health, and a return to your hair's glory days! :flower:

[Aditi]

My mom is going through menopause and she is also a patient of Depression(The reason can be due to menopause) she has to take very heavy anti-depression medicines and due to this recently she is having hair loss at an alarming rate. I don't intend to hijack the thread but i think this is the best place to ask a question regarding this matter. Can anyone suggest some remedies or cure about this? TIA

[embee]

I went through a good number of years ago and have been done for ages. :) Sure is nice.

My hair is thinner than it was, and it was always thin. I've reached term. It has never been longer than this, and it is not growing longer. I still have a few hairs that reach down to upper thigh, and the rest are a bit shorter. I'm calling it classic, because it's much longer than waist, longer than tailbone, longer than hip, it's hard to measure it because it's a bit longer than my arms. :)

I'm happy, though it would be nice for thicker. ;)

[Toadstool]

My mom is going through menopause and she is also a patient of Depression(The reason can be due to menopause) she has to take very heavy anti-depression medicines and due to this recently she is having hair loss at an alarming rate. I don't intend to hijack the thread but i think this is the best place to ask a question regarding this matter. Can anyone suggest some remedies or cure about this? TIA
could your mom perhaps take a different antidepressant? I have been on citalopram 60mg (a very high dose) for over ten years and antidepressants for nearly 20 yearsand it hasn't affected my hair at all.

[Pixna]

My mom is going through menopause and she is also a patient of Depression(The reason can be due to menopause) she has to take very heavy anti-depression medicines and due to this recently she is having hair loss at an alarming rate. I don't intend to hijack the thread but i think this is the best place to ask a question regarding this matter. Can anyone suggest some remedies or cure about this? TIA

Menopause can be tough on a woman. I had a bit of a meltdown myself when I went through it (my pixie was a result of that!), but I got through it without drugs or hormones. Some women need more help, though. It would be important to find out whether your mother's depression is from menopause or unrelated issues. Sometimes hormones can be useful for depression, if it is related to menopause (that's another subject entirely, though). Hair loss could be from menopause (hormonal changes) or from the medication your mother is on. That's why it's important to get to the source of the depression, if possible. I also agree that switching medications, if hormone supplementation is not recommended, could help the problem, too.

My hair on my head hasn't changed all that much since menopause. If anything, it might be a tad straighter. It is definitely more silvery, though! Now, the hair on the REST of my body is another story. But you weren't asking about that, were you? :smirk:

Antibiotics can wreak havoc on our bodies, and being sick can, too. It's no wonder you are experiencing some hair issues. I hope you are feeling better soon, and your hair is quickly restored to its prior beauty!

[LadyLongLocks]

No change at all except for being HEALTHIER due to better hair care! Might be a bit thinner than years ago, but I guess that is common as we age, right:confused:

[Darkhorse1]

My mom's hair grows like a weed and she's post menopause--I think hair growth is the same regardless. Mom's hair thinned more due to systemic lupus, which is known to have hair loss/thinning. However, she's on a new regiem for hair growth and her new growth is wavy/curly! :) She still has a lot of hair everywhere, but it thinned on the top.

When I was very sick, my hair grew faster, but my hair grows very fast. I guess it would depend on one's system?

Hope you feel better soon!

[earthdancer]

I haven't had any problems with slower growth. Please Google the medications to see if any of them are known to cause hair loss. My aunt was on many different expensive medications for her heart (useless, since our unique heart eccentricities run in the female family members and don't affect our health; we all live very long and active lives). She lost all of her hair because of those medications--bald as a billiard ball.

Most people regain normal hair growth once they stop taking the offending medications.

[ratgirldjh]

My mom is going through menopause and she is also a patient of Depression(The reason can be due to menopause) she has to take very heavy anti-depression medicines and due to this recently she is having hair loss at an alarming rate. I don't intend to hijack the thread but i think this is the best place to ask a question regarding this matter. Can anyone suggest some remedies or cure about this? TIA

St. John's Wort has helped some people I know with their depression. My bf sometimes gets very bad depression too - and he has been studying about St. John's Wort (he doesn't trust me) on his own and has decided that he needs to take it. I sometimes take kava kava - which is also supposed to help with depression.

[ratgirldjh]

Oh my mom is definitely post menopause and her hair grows really fast...

[RedStripe]

I've been post-menopausal for about 7 years. I didn't notice any particular change in my hair related to it. Lately, though (past six months or so?), it has seemed like my hair's been growing faster. Better hair care? I'm not sure what's going on.

[heidi w.]

My mom is going through menopause and she is also a patient of Depression(The reason can be due to menopause) she has to take very heavy anti-depression medicines and due to this recently she is having hair loss at an alarming rate. I don't intend to hijack the thread but i think this is the best place to ask a question regarding this matter. Can anyone suggest some remedies or cure about this? TIA

Your mother needs to rule out any medical issues, first. Such as thyroid -- there are 2 kinds of thyroid (hypo- and hyper-), and many in menopause can experience this issue. One type means hair falls out or is lost rapidly, sometimes even in chunks.

Secondly, it may be true that she is experiencing low iron, and low iron definitely affects hair loss rates. Even a mere borderline reading can create an instance of chronic, low-grade hair loss.

Hormone levels absolutely DO affect hair and its rate of loss and growth, and such. For example, in menopause, it's not infrequent that the testosterone levels actually increase....meaning hair loss for women.

These 3 situations are checked easily by a simple blood test, usually, and a first step is an appointment with an ob-gyn. However, thyroid is an interesting problem and is best dealt with by a specialist if this turns out to be true. A general ob-gyn or primary care doctor may be insufficiently trained in this area to really interpret data. Your mother may also benefit from hormone therapy. This is a controversial topic and not to be decided easily. In fact, sometimes that hormone therapy when properly addressed can improve mood. Hormone shifts can greatly affect mood!

If she's losing hair rapidly, and suddenly, this should not be ignored. There are other health conditions that can affect hair loss rates, too. But what I mention are fairly typical at this time of life.

heidi w.

[heidi w.]

do you notice a difference in the way your hair grows?

When I went through menapause at 40 my hair went from stick straight to very curly (some straight bits underneith still!)

But the other thing I've seemed to notice recently is that the growth has slowed down.

Now this could be because I've only started measuring again these last few months, and for the past 5 weeks I've been sick with pneumonia and on heavy antibiotics. I'm hoping that is the reason, and it's not something to do with this time of life!

What about you?

I am definitely in the middle of "the Change" as evidenced by sporadic periods, spotting, night sweats and hot flashes. The period part changing has only occurred this year; the flashes and sweats began last year......

This means hormonal levels are shifting and it's well known that hormones affect growth rates and loss -- as do our genetics.

My growth rate has significantly slowed. Also I am likely at the tail end of the longest length my hair will ever become.

If it helps I just turned 49.

Hair color, loss, curly to straight or other similar shifts are known to occur. My sister, after her first child, her hair turned really, really dark. And fast, and has never gone back to the lighter shades except from a bottle!

heidi w.

[heidi w.]

For women in this time of life, I recommend reading The Power of Menopause by Dr. Christianne Northrup. This is a very good text combining eastern and western medical knowledge for a more holistic view on the topic.

St. John's Wort can assist milder cases of depression, but it won't solve clinical depression.

Black Cohosh tea -- which I've tried and tastes really bitter and nasty supposedly helps with this change. There are black cohosh "vitamins"....but be careful when combining with other prescription drugs, including anti-depressants.

Some take Evening Primrose Oil and swear it assists. I'm not positive.
A number of reviews and randomized clinical trials suggest there is little evidence to support the use of evening primrose oil for menopausal vasomotor symptoms or premenstrual syndrome
http://www.drugs.com/npp/evening-primrose-oil.html

Diet definitely can play a role. dark leafy green vegetables, a variety of veggies, some fruit (veggies more important than fruit, I would argue), complete protein. Appropriate fat matters, too (such as flax seed oil, omega-3, laneolic ) reduce salt, in particular, and take it easy on refined sugar. A low intake of protein (whether vegetarian or meatatarian or otherwise) can affect hair loss, too!

Exercise helps.

Insomnia can increase. (It has for me.)

http://www.webmd.com/menopause/tc/menopause-and-perimenopause-exams-and-tests
here is about WHAT HAPPENS IN MENOPAUSE...this is specifically about tests that are often performed by a doctor.

A thyroid-stimulating hormone test is used to see whether irregular menstrual periods or perimenopause-like symptoms are being caused by a thyroid problem.
Just one of the tests that may be performed.....but this is one that the poster with the mother with depression may well need to have performed!

http://www.power-surge.com/educate/hairloss.htm
On Menopause and Hair -- low thyroid function

Soy is said to help a woman at this time of life, overall.

heidi w.

[jahof45]

I have completed menopause years ago after a hysterectomy. I didn't notice any difference in my hair except my face is fuzzier (like a peach) and my body is softer (like an over-ripe peach) LOL I also have hypo-thyroid-ism and one of my symptoms is hair loss. I'm amazed I'm not bald but I had very thick hair when younger. Now it's just moderately thick but that's after 20 years of hypo-thyroid related hair loss.

[Hairtada]

Darkhorse1, What hair regime is your mother on? I would like some new curly hairs!!!

Menopause changed my hair by making it thinner. Seems to grow at the same rate. I also was diagnosed with hypo thyroid at menopause which made it drier and crispier.The thyroid has added to the thinning hair issue.

[MemSahib]

Past menopause and no difference in hair... yet. I believe it will thin out some if the other women in my family are any indication of what is in store for me. Too bad. It's medium thickness but so baby fine that many people already assume it's thin when it's not. Growth did slow at about waist but from watching here at LHC, that is normal for so many people that I discount it as a menopausal issue.

[Aditi]

could your mom perhaps take a different antidepressant? I have been on citalopram 60mg (a very high dose) for over ten years and antidepressants for nearly 20 yearsand it hasn't affected my hair at all.
Its hard for me to say. The doctor has tried it before he felt that she was recovering and kept her to low doses but as soon as she switched to low ones she started getting frequent depression attacks. So the doctor has no choice but to switch her back to the regular high doses. But, i will still confront him into changing medicines. Thank you.

[Aditi]

Menopause can be tough on a woman. I had a bit of a meltdown myself when I went through it (my pixie was a result of that!), but I got through it without drugs or hormones. Some women need more help, though. It would be important to find out whether your mother's depression is from menopause or unrelated issues. Sometimes hormones can be useful for depression, if it is related to menopause (that's another subject entirely, though). Hair loss could be from menopause (hormonal changes) or from the medication your mother is on. That's why it's important to get to the source of the depression, if possible. I also agree that switching medications, if hormone supplementation is not recommended, could help the problem, too.

My hair on my head hasn't changed all that much since menopause. If anything, it might be a tad straighter. It is definitely more silvery, though! Now, the hair on the REST of my body is another story. But you weren't asking about that, were you? :smirk:

Antibiotics can wreak havoc on our bodies, and being sick can, too. It's no wonder you are experiencing some hair issues. I hope you feeling better soon, and your hair is quickly restored to its prior beauty!
I am sure she is into depression just only because she is into menopause. And i think her hair are falling out as she is having high doses of medication which is messing with her moods, skin, body and now hair. Thank you very much for your gesture and suggestion, i will see what i can workout in this.

[Aditi]

St. John's Wort has helped some people I know with their depression. My bf sometimes gets very bad depression too - and he has been studying about St. John's Wort (he doesn't trust me) on his own and has decided that he needs to take it. I sometimes take kava kava - which is also supposed to help with depression.

Thank you for your suggestion ratgirldjh, but just one question what is St. John's Wort? :o


Your mother needs to rule out any medical issues, first. Such as thyroid -- there are 2 kinds of thyroid (hypo- and hyper-), and many in menopause can experience this issue. One type means hair falls out or is lost rapidly, sometimes even in chunks.

Secondly, it may be true that she is experiencing low iron, and low iron definitely affects hair loss rates. Even a mere borderline reading can create an instance of chronic, low-grade hair loss.

Hormone levels absolutely DO affect hair and its rate of loss and growth, and such. For example, in menopause, it's not infrequent that the testosterone levels actually increase....meaning hair loss for women.

These 3 situations are checked easily by a simple blood test, usually, and a first step is an appointment with an ob-gyn. However, thyroid is an interesting problem and is best dealt with by a specialist if this turns out to be true. A general ob-gyn or primary care doctor may be insufficiently trained in this area to really interpret data. Your mother may also benefit from hormone therapy. This is a controversial topic and not to be decided easily. In fact, sometimes that hormone therapy when properly addressed can improve mood. Hormone shifts can greatly affect mood!

If she's losing hair rapidly, and suddenly, this should not be ignored. There are other health conditions that can affect hair loss rates, too. But what I mention are fairly typical at this time of life.

heidi w.

Thank you for your advice Heidi, my mom is very scared of needles and on top of that she can't watch blood :couch:. I have to trick her into going for a blood test :D.

[lhangel9]

Aditi,

St. John's Wart (herb) and Cayenne Pepper (to increase the strength of the herb). I know, "first hand." Good luck to your mom!

[lhangel9]

Correction in spelling: St. John's Wort (an herb for depression).

[jojo]

Antibiotics may cause slow hair growth, Id finish the course of antibiotics and give it a few months until your immune system has built up, then if you notice no difference or other changes such as thinning hair or hair shed which has increased, then id ask for some bloods to be done especially haemoglobin, thyroid, FSH and full blood count inparticular. When these have hopefully been ruled out as normal, look at other factors in your life which may have contributed for e.g. stress, insomnia, diet and fluid intake etc.

Being poorly really can take it out of your system, unforunatelly the hair is normally the first thing which is compremised when we are ill, it may look lank or lack shine. I know as a nurse I always take into consideration how a persons hair health looks when assessing them.

I hope this is of some help, try not to worry too much because this won't help, try and forget your hair for now, just tie it back and ignore it.

[Darkhorse1]

My mom's on rogaine and an antifungal--I'll have to ask her what it's called. It's prescribed by a doctor because OTC stuff isn't strong enough.

Mom doesn't have ringlets, it just has more body to it. She had pin straight hair when she was younger and had to curl it with curlers, had perms etc.

I noticed a change in my mom's hair after her diagnosis with Lupus, not having gone through menopause.

[susiemw]

My mom is going through menopause and she is also a patient of Depression(The reason can be due to menopause) she has to take very heavy anti-depression medicines and due to this recently she is having hair loss at an alarming rate. I don't intend to hijack the thread but i think this is the best place to ask a question regarding this matter. Can anyone suggest some remedies or cure about this? TIA

absolutely, I'd have her find a good doctor who understands hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones.
also someone who understands how to correctly diagnose thyroid issues which are VERY common in women over 40.

A lot of women who are diagnosed with depression and not responding are misdiagnosed and really don't need an antidepressant, they need hormone replacement of some kind.
You might want to go to the website:
stopthethyroidmadness.com

they have a couple pages dealing with findind a good doc... and I would think a doc who is good at diagnosing and treating thyroid issues would either be good at female HRT or know who to recommend your mom to.

good luck to you and your mother

susan

[Hairtada]

Darkhorse1,Thanks, I'd like to hear about the medication your mom is on. Did she have a big shed when she started the Rogaine? That is what worries me about that product. Does she use the Rogaine every day? I know we have one poster here that uses Rogaine and MN on alternate days and has had great results .

What I am doing is helping me a lot though I would give most anything to have more of my hair back faster but Rogaine scares me a bit,I am afraid to try it due to the shed issue.

[wendyg]

Please be careful with the St John's Wort, folks: it's known to interact with a number of prescription medications. Read up, ask your doctor...

wg

[Aditi]

Aditi,

St. John's Wart (herb) and Cayenne Pepper (to increase the strength of the herb). I know, "first hand." Good luck to your mom!

Thanks for informing me but i am not sure whether i will find a herb like this over here, and on top of it people won't know such type of a herb at all. But i have few relatives in U.S.A maybe they can find it for me.


Antibiotics may cause slow hair growth, Id finish the course of antibiotics and give it a few months until your immune system has built up, then if you notice no difference or other changes such as thinning hair or hair shed which has increased, then id ask for some bloods to be done especially haemoglobin, thyroid, FSH and full blood count inparticular. When these have hopefully been ruled out as normal, look at other factors in your life which may have contributed for e.g. stress, insomnia, diet and fluid intake etc.

Being poorly really can take it out of your system, unforunatelly the hair is normally the first thing which is compremised when we are ill, it may look lank or lack shine. I know as a nurse I always take into consideration how a persons hair health looks when assessing them.

I hope this is of some help, try not to worry too much because this won't help, try and forget your hair for now, just tie it back and ignore it.

Thank you for your suggestion jojo maybe its just the antibiotics that are messing with her. And i guess stressing too much just thinking about won't do any good either.


absolutely, I'd have her find a good doctor who understands hormone replacement therapy with bioidentical hormones.
also someone who understands how to correctly diagnose thyroid issues which are VERY common in women over 40.

A lot of women who are diagnosed with depression and not responding are misdiagnosed and really don't need an antidepressant, they need hormone replacement of some kind.
You might want to go to the website:
stopthethyroidmadness.com

they have a couple pages dealing with findind a good doc... and I would think a doc who is good at diagnosing and treating thyroid issues would either be good at female HRT or know who to recommend your mom to.

good luck to you and your mother

susan

Thanks susan for the wesite link i will check it out.

[sindrella1]

Evening Primrose Oil has been used to treat women with menstrual pains and for improving fertility. Evening Primrose Oil aids in the production of quality cervical mucus that aids fertilization. Evening Primrose Oil is known to provide relief from inflammation by enhancing health and strength of cell membranes.
http://www.nutrovita.com/store/evening-primrose-oil.htm