Scalp Hair Thinning During Menopause
Common causes for thinning scalp hair in women of menopause age include excessive testosterone (an androgen) and or low thyroid function. The pattern of hair loss due to high testosterone is often different that the pattern due to low thyroid function.
Thinning hair due to high testosterone typically may have a distinct pattern, that is now called “androgenic alopecia”. It used to be called “male pattern baldness”, but androgenic alopecia” is a more accurate description (alopecia means hair loss). In this type of hair loss, the thinning is in typically on the crown of the head and/or the hairline starts to recede in the front or the side of the front. However, in some women there is diffuse thinning on the top of the head, with less of an “androgenic pattern”. This diffuse hair loss is more often associated with low thyroid (hypothyroidism), but may be seen a combination of androgenic alopecia with hypothyroidism.
About 8 to 10 percent of women have excessive testosterone levels. Before menopause, these excessive testosterone levels may not show symptoms, because the high testosterone symptoms are obscured by the higher estradiol and progesterone that is present before menopause. If thinning hair is due to androgen excess, then TestoQuench™ for Women may be considered the best choice.
If thinning hair is due to hypothyroidism, the most common cause in women is autoimmune (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis). If thinning hair is due to thyroid disease, then ThyroMend™ may be the best choice. Use the Hypothyroid Risk Questionnaire to determine risk of hypothyroidism. In autoimmune thyroid disease the hair thinning is typically diffuse, and extends over the entire head, and all areas of the scalp. (This is different than androgenic alopecia which has hair loss in certain regions.)
This thinning scalp hair may also be due to low grade systemic inflammation as well as the low thyroid hormones. If a woman has other autoimmune diseases, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, or Sjogren's syndrome, then thinning hair is most likely also due to the autoimmune processes. Consider being tested for gluten intolerance or celiac disease if you have multiple food allergies. Also keep in mind that other food allergies can also cause thinning of scalp hair, just as they can cause eczema or other skin problems. Other causes can include nutritional deficiencies brought on by dieting or stress. Vitamins and minerals are cofactors required for every biochemical process in the human body, including the production and detoxification of hormones.

Since it is possible to have more than one hormone imbalance, more than one of the Hormone Specific™ Formulations may be appropriate. Look at the symptoms associated with each major hormone imbalance to help you determine the most likely cause of these symptoms.

Consider TestoQuench™ for Women if you have other symptoms of high testosterone, which may include increased facial hair; voice changing and becoming deeper or less feminine; having trouble tolerating sugars and carbohydrates; developing or having increased acne; feel more hostile, angry, agitated or aggressive; increased chest or body hair; increased arm and leg hair; loss of scalp hair; acne; oily skin; nervous; irritable; anxious; sleep disturbances; increased muscle mass; redistribution of body fat to abdomen and upper back and less on hips; enlargement of the clitoris; increased perspiration.

Consider ThyroMend™ if you have other symptoms of low thyroid function, which may include fatigue or tired; exhausted; difficulty doing everyday activities; everything takes longer to do; low body temperature; weight gain; cannot lose weight with diet & exercise; difficulty remembering; difficulty concentrating; ; slow or unclear thinking; difficulty learning something new; feeling depressed; feeling discouraged; moody & irritable; decreased motivation; low sex drive; decreased sexual activity ; changes in sleep; outer eyebrow thinning; hair is coarse and dry; skin is coarse, dry or scaly; itchy skin; sensitive to cold, cold intolerance; cold hands & feet; decreased sweating; slow pulse; low blood pressure; dizziness or poor balance; feel lightheaded; less than 1 BM daily; constipation, straining ; fluid retention; puffy hands; puffy feet ; puffy face; bags under eyes; pasty, puffy or pale skin; yellow palms & soles; enlarged tongue; teeth imprints on tongue; thinning eyelashes; recurring infections; nasal congestion; hand & feet numbness; change in voice; joint stiffness & pain; muscle aches; muscle weakness; hearing problems; recurrent headaches.

Other Considerations
Even though thinning scalp hair with menopause may simply be due to changes in hormones that can be addressed with one or more of the Hormone Specific™ Formulations, it is important to discuss these symptoms with a healthcare professional to make sure that there is not a more serious medical condition that needs to be addressed.
If there are other symptoms that may be due to menopause changes, consider using the Menopause Type® Questionnaire to do a more comprehensive analysis of which hormone problems may be involved.