Hair loss and hormonal imbalance: an often underestimated link
If genetics and age are often blamed, a large proportion of cases of hair loss are linked to a hormonal disruption. In both men and women, the balance between estrogens (female hormones) and androgens (male hormones) is fragile. An imbalance can therefore be the cause of your hair loss.
In fact, theHormones directly influence the life cycle of hair :
- The estrogen and the progesterone extend the growth phase (anagen).
- The androgens (including testosterone), when they are in excess or poorly regulated, accelerate this cycle and pcause a premature fall.
When this balance is broken — during puberty, after childbirth, at menopause or in the event of hormonal imbalance — hair becomes finer, more brittle, and its density decreases.
Testosterone and baldness: androgenic alopecia and hormonal hair loss in men
“I started losing my hair around 18 and it had a big impact on my self-confidence. I'm 26 years old today and it's still difficult to live with. People make fun of it and don’t understand that it’s a real complex. According to my doctor (micronutrition specialist), I have the same testosterone level as an 80-year-old man and this is due, just like my baldness, to a hormonal imbalance. (Gabriel B. — Carpenter – Liège)
Theaction of testosterone man hair is a well-known cause of baldness. Indeed, 97% of hair loss in men are of androgenic origin, directly linked to testosterone. Androgenic alopecia is the most common form of male pattern baldness. It generally appears between the ages of 18 and 25 and progresses gradually..
The mechanism is well identified : testosterone, by transforming into DHT, attacks the hair follicle, shortening the lifespan of the hair. The first signs appear on the forehead (temporal gulfs), then on the top of the skull (tonsure).
Why is this difficult to counter? Because DHT acts directly on the root : the hair thins, falls out, and ends up no longer growing back. However, early treatment can slow down, or even stabilize, this fall.
Recommended solutions in case of hormonal hair loss in men:
- Blood and hormonal assessment to identify the imbalance.
- Supplements rich in zinc, B vitamins, iron and sulfur amino acids.
- Topical products and treatments limiting the action of DHT on the scalp.
- Combined approach: balanced diet, stress reduction, adapted lifestyle.
- Food supplements: hair needs targeted nutrients to slow down its loss and stimulate its regrowth.
Hormonal hair loss in women: the role of estrogen and progesterone
Hair loss during periods
Before and during menstruation, the estrogen levels drop, giving way to androgens: oilier, more fragile hair, greater loss.
Tips: gentle care, supplements rich in iron and B vitamins, avoid excessive heat.
Hair loss during pregnancy and postpartum
“I am the mother of an adorable 3-month-old, and this is the happiest time of my life. The only downside is that I have been losing a lot of my hair since giving birth. I have tried many treatments, but nothing works. Reclaiming your body and feeling good about yourself again is already so complicated after pregnancy... This hair loss is taking a toll on my morale and I would like to have healthy hair again, like before. » (Marie-Agnès F. — Accountant – Lyon)
Hair loss and menopause
With the menopause, estrogen fall by almost 80%, while androgens only drop slightly.
Result : thinner, dry hair, diffuse or even significant loss.
Solutions : cures based on phytoestrogens, diet rich in essential nutrients, specific supplements.
“At the first signs of menopause, I started losing my hair. My hairdresser also noticed that they had changed texture, they are thinner and more fragile. He confirmed to me the role of hormones in this problem. I don't know what to do to get healthy hair again. " (Lucie B. — Nurse – Rennes)
How do you know if your hair loss is hormonal?
Certain signs should alert you:
- Diffuse loss on the top of the head (women) or receding hairline, frontal baldness or hair loss on the forehead and/or top of the head (men).
- Significant fall after hormonal event (childbirth, stopping the pill, menopause).
- Hair that becomes longer thin, brittle, loss of volume.
- A hair diagnosis and, if necessary, a hormonal assessment are the best ways to confirm the hormonal origin.
Natural and medical solutions to rebalance your hormones
- Targeted supplementation : zinc, iron, biotin, B vitamins, omega-3.
- Plants with a mild hormonal effect : hops, sage, alfalfa, flaxseed.
- Hygiene of life : restful sleep, moderate physical activity, stress reduction.
- Suitable hair care : shampoos without sulfates or silicones, stimulating scalp massages.
- Kryneo food supplements
For more severe cases, medical treatments may be prescribed by a dermatologist or endocrinologist.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hormonal Hair Loss
1. Does progesterone impact hair?
Yes, progesterone has a positive impact on hair. According to the text, estrogen and progesterone prolong the growth phase hair, called anagen phase.
2. What hormone causes hair loss in men?
This is the testosterone, which is the main hormone responsible for male pattern baldness. The text specifies that 97% of hair loss in men is caused by androgenic, a term directly linked to the action of male hormones such as testosterone.
3. How does testosterone cause male pattern baldness?
The text explains that testosterone is transformed into DHT. This DHT directly attacks the hair follicle, which has the effect of shortening the lifespan of the hair. Over time, hair thins, falls out, and eventually stops growing back.
4. What is the link between estrogen and hair loss?
Estrogens are hormones that protect hair by prolonging its growth phase. Therefore, a drop in estrogen levels can cause hair loss. The text gives two specific examples:
- During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels drop, which can make hair more fragile and cause more shedding.
- At menopause, estrogen levels drop by almost 80%, leading to thinner, dry hair and diffuse loss.
5. How to stop hormonal hair loss naturally?
The text offers several natural solutions to rebalance hormones and slow down hair loss:
- Targeted supplementation in zinc, iron, biotin, B vitamins and omega-3.
- The use of plants with a mild hormonal effect such as hops, sage, alfalfa or linseed.
- A healthy lifestyle, including restful sleep, moderate physical activity and stress reduction.
- Suitable hair care with shampoos without sulfates or silicones and scalp massages
6. Can menopause cause hair loss?
Yes, menopause is a common cause of hair loss. The text explains that during this period, the estrogen level drop of almost 80%, while androgens only drop slightly. This hormonal imbalance leads to thinner hair and diffuse, even significant, loss.
7. Can pregnancy cause hair loss?
No, on the contrary. During pregnancy, hair is often denser and more beautiful thanks to excess estrogen. It is after childbirth, between 2 and 4 months after birth, that massive hair loss, called postpartum telogen effluvium, can occur.
8. What is the connection between the menstrual cycle and hair loss?
The menstrual cycle is linked to hair loss. The text specifies that before and during periods, estrogen levels drop, leaving more room for androgens. This imbalance can make hair oilier and more fragile, which causes greater loss.
