“Daily hair shedding is normal,” hair transplant surgeon at The Treatment Rooms London Dr. Roshan Vara tells ESSENCE. In fact, most people shed around 50 to 100 strands each day. But, what if yours suddenly just stops growing back?
According to new TENA data, 35 percent of women ages 35-44 report experiencing hair loss, the highest of any age group. Yet, less than half know it points to one of the biggest hormonal transitions in a woman’s life: perimenopause.
Unlike hair shedding, perimenopausal hair loss “often results in a woman’s hair becoming gradually thinner all over the scalp alongside a widening of the hair parting rather than patchy hair loss,” says Vara. With Black women more likely to start menopause earlier, knowing the signs can help you find an answer to the most important question: what can you do about it?
Ahead, experts explain why hair loss is often overlooked, how to identify it as a symptom, and what to do about it.
What’s the difference between hair loss and hair shedding?
Hair loss and hair shedding are often—and incorrectly—used interchangeably. “Since there are around 100,000 follicles on the scalp, losing up to 100 hairs does not make a significant difference to someone’s appearance,” says Vara about daily hair shedding. “It usually goes unnoticed, especially as the new hair grows simultaneously.”
However, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Cheri Frey points out menopausal hair loss is something different. “A sudden increase in or excessive shedding may be problematic,” she says. “Female pattern hair loss, the most common form of hair loss, is seen fairly frequently in menopause due to the decline in estrogen.”
How do you know if you have hair loss?
For Black women, knowing what to look for may be more difficult. In part, because hair loss in the Black community is often attributed to hair>up to 10 years before menopause, hair loss “can coincide with symptoms of early menopause such as irregular or skipped periods, hot flushes, night sweats and more,” he says. And, some symptoms can even make it worse. On top of perimenopause, hereditary influences, stress and even hormonal imbalances like PCOS can exacerbate your hair loss.
What should you do about it?
“Unfortunately, too many women suffer in silence, thinking nothing can be done,” says Vara. That couldn’t be further from the truth. “Hair loss is often gradual, but the earlier it’s addressed, the more options we have for stabilizing or reversing it.”
From treatments like medical therapies using HRT and life>over-the-counter regrowth treatments (like topical minoxidil) and specialized shampoos, “it’s important to seek advice sooner rather than later,” he says.
Why do most women not know about the signs of early menopause?
While there’s obvious signs of perimenopause, like irregular periods and night sweats, misinformation and taboo means unexpected signs may be more hidden. “There’s a misconception that menopause only affects women in their 50s, so many don’t know about the signs of early menopause (before age 45) or premature menopause (before age 40),” says Vara. “Many people mistake early symptoms for stress, life rel=”tag”>Black women hair loss menopause perimenopause
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