Hair, menopause and general long sighs...

[Dogmama]

Approaching the last birthday I intend to celebrate (59) and have been growing out my hair. It's below shoulder length. Up until six months ago, it was OK - baby fine but fairly thick & looked good.

Seems like I've been losing more hair & it's looking ragged. Doc says - menopause. I'm still hot flashing and HRT is not an option because of risk of blood clots, etc. When I die, I won't need a tombstone. My burial plot will be the slightly warm patch of earth.

But back to the hair - I'm getting ready to cut. I really think that thin straggly hair is awful. I wear it in a bun 95% of the time because when I flash & sweat, any curl that I managed to wrestle into my hair is history. Before I do - does anybody use a product that works to thicken hair? I've been using Pureology which used to work but no longer. Or maybe I should just bite the bullet & chop it off. I'm also letting it go grey because I hate that skunk stripe of grey hair that women get when they're between coloring and I really refuse to be a slave to my hair.

So, I guess I'm looking for recommendations for a miracle product. Or a chorus of "cut it and get over yourself!"

[OakLeaf]

My first husband used Rogaine and I would say it stabilized his hair loss and possibly re-grew a small amount. But it was really expensive in those days, so maybe that's just wishful thinking.

[malkin]

It sounds like you like it long; would a trim of the ends help?

[indysteel]

I sometimes feel like a broken record on this because I see a possible thyroid disorder everytime someone on TE complains of not feeling quite right, but has your doctor screened you for a thyroid disorder? Both hypo and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss. Of course, menopause can as well. I just wonder if your doctor ruled out other causes before attributing it to menopause.

[redrhodie]

I sometimes feel like a broken record on this because I see a possible thyroid disorder everytime someone on TE complains of not feeling quite right, but has your doctor screened you for a thyroid disorder? Both hypo and hyperthyroidism can cause hair loss. Of course, menopause can as well. I just wonder if your doctor ruled out other causes before attributing it to menopause.

Yup. Hairloss was the key to getting my thyroid issue diagnosed. Before I figured it out, I tried a lot of products/remedies. The best shampoo was Nioxin. The best way to add fullness was blow drying with a round brush. The best supplement was Biotin, and a lot of people swear by Evening Primrose Oill (which I wasn't convinced did anything, and was expensive). Hair cuts always made it look fuller, as did dyeing. I had never dyed my hair before, so I used a temporary color from Whole Foods, and it really made it look thicker. The best home remedy is apple cider vinegar. I use it on salad.

If it is your thyroid, getting on the right dose of hormone is better than anything else. My hair is back to normal. but the whole event was really traumatic and stressful, so a big hug to you. I know how it feels.

Another thing you want to check are your iron and ferritin levels. Low iron is another common cause of hairloss.

Good luck!

[shootingstar]

When I die, I won't need a tombstone. My burial plot will be the slightly warm patch of earth.

I couldn't help but giggle over this.

Hope you find a hair solution.
Is my hair thinner as a result of menopause? Abit but not enough to warrant full out medical check. I am period-free after approx. 24 months of menopause. But seem to occasionally still get short, gentle hot flashes at night..which puzzles me. But pretty minor.