On average, most women will begin experiencing menopause between the ages of 40 to 58 years of age. Physical changes will typically start several years before these women experience their last menstrual period, and some women will experience no major symptoms aside from irregular periods while others face hot flashes, night sweats and hair loss.
Unlike in men where hair loss typically presents as visible bald spots, women tend to experience hair thinning rather than hair loss, which happens more gradually. Hormone levels can fluctuate wildly during menopause, and this can affect the scalp and the hair, causing at least one-half of women with menopause to experience some form of hair loss.
Hair thinning in older women can happen at the top of the head, front or sides. In some cases, large clumps of hair can fall out during showering or brushing. Changes in hormone levels, specifically a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels, can also strip the skin of properties that help to keep it supple and moisturized.
A drop in estrogen production will often be accompanied by reduced collagen levels. Collagen is a rigid protein that gives the skin structure, elasticity and strength, bolstering its barrier function and helping to keep the skin supple and moisturized. It also aids in the development of new skin cells and is a key component in the dermis, a section of the skin that houses skin follicles.
Reduced collagen levels coupled with decreased estrogen and progesterone production can cause hair loss as the two hormones play a major role in the growth of thick, healthy hair. Women may also experience skin dryness and have trouble keeping their scalp properly moisturized during menopause.
Since collagen also supports blood vessels that transport nutrients to the scalp and hair follicles, reduced collagen levels impact the movement of much-needed nutrients to the hair and scalp, impacting scalp health and causing hair thinning. As hair thins, the now-weakened scalp becomes more exposed to harmful UV rays and other environmental irritants, increasing the risk of experiencing scalp inflammation.
Furthermore, the drop in female hormone production results in the increase of male hormones called androgens, which cause hair follicles to shrink and accelerate hair loss even further. Some women may also experience higher-than-normal hair growth on their chins or upper lips due to the increased levels of male hormones.
In addition, very high levels of stress, nutrient deficiencies and illnesses can also cause hair loss during menopause.
Fortunately, women can address menopause-related hair loss by exercising, reducing their stress levels, eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated and wearing caps to protect their hair when swimming or out in the sun.
As many players such as NextPlat Corp. (NASDAQ: NXPL) (NASDAQ: NXPLW) enter the healthcare ecommerce space, there is likely to be an abundant supply of products targeting the hair loss experienced by women in menopause.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NextPlat Corp. (NASDAQ: NXPL) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://nnw.fm/NXPL
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