My hair is no longer what it was. The effect of menopause on hair.

By Marta León

We all like to have a nice long hair. We look our best when our hair is shiny and healthy looking. This is because hair, in addition to being closely related to femininity, is also a symbol of health, since keeping the hair strand healthy and strong is not free for our body. The mane of the lion or lioness, in this case, has an energy cost that we must know.

Perhaps you didn't know, but our hormones play a determining role in almost all aspects of our lives (physical, mental and of course emotional), also in the health of our hair. Surely you have noticed how throughout your life there were moments in which your hair or your skin was more or less beautiful. For example, if you have had children, you will remember how beautiful your hair was during pregnancy and how it fell out in the postpartum period or during breastfeeding. Why was this happening? The short answer is our hormones.

The same thing happens with the female menstrual cycle, or with menopause, the hormonal changes that occur at this time not only affect whether we menstruate or not, they also affect our hair, especially the feeling of drier hair and hair loss.

Our hair follicles, (responsible for hair growing strong, with color and not falling out), are estrogen-dependent, that is, they depend on how we have our estrogen levels. We all know that menopause is characterized by being a vital moment in which estrogen levels tend to decrease little by little, leading us to stop our menstrual cycles and stop menstruating. Losing, with it also the energizing effect that estrogens have on our body. This is when you suddenly notice that your hair is no longer the way it was.

Now, the loss of strength in the hair does not affect all women with the same intensity. In the same way that not all of us experience the same type of climacteric. That is why we are going to delve a little deeper into how to pamper it in a concrete way so that you can incorporate hair self-care habits that contribute to seeing your hair much better.

1. Mandatory hydration. It sounds a bit drastic, but that's how it is. The drop in estrogen makes both skin and hair much drier (especially in the colder months and if you live far from the coast). Perhaps you have been fighting against fat all your life and suddenly you have dry hair, it is paradoxical but real. Hair oils will be your best asset to prevent your hair from becoming rough and easily frizzy. The night regenerating serum is the PRODUCT you need. 
2. Phytoestrogens also in our hair. Phytoestrogens such as sage, known for being a wonderful hormonal regulator, provide us with small doses of plant estrogens that are effective against hot flashes, night sweats and even hormonal hair loss. The sage hair infusions as well as hair masks that contain this plant as an ingredient, used regularly in hair care, can help us get through autumn or spring better.
3. Mineralization. If our diet is not adequate, our digestions are not as before, we have had anemia all our lives or the health of our thyroid is better, mineralizing our hair with iron, magnesium, silica or sulfur is highly recommended. To do this, use products that contain nettle, thyme or rosemary, such as hair infusions and even prepare your own mix of vegetable shampoo adding infusions or plant extracts, to remineralize and restore vitality to the hair.

The health of our hair, throughout the climacteric, will depend on many factors: diet, vitamin/mineral deficit (such as anemia), stress, poor hair care, hormonal problems such as thyroid, etc... So let's not forget to start by eating better, resting more, exercising more, controlling our thyroid and managing stress better, since all these factors are the base of the self-care pyramid.