How sex hormone imbalances cause thinning hair low sex drive and hair loss
Sex hormone imbalances can cause several health problems. This includes hair thinning, hair loss and also low sex drive. For many people, their hair is a source of great pride and one of the most important accessories that they own. So much of our lives is spent taking care of our hair. Obviously, when things start to go wrong, and you are suffering from hair thinning, and it begins to fall out, it can be devastating.
The first question any woman asks when they begin losing hair or suffer from hair thinning is, why?
The hormonal changes that take place at different stages of our life can contribute to hair loss and hair thinning in women. Whether you have just given birth, reached menopause or are going through some other type of hormonal changes, chances are your hair is falling out.
Sex hormones imbalances and Hormonal problems are linked to hair loss
Hormones and sex hormones are invisible yet powerful forces that run through the human body. They affect how you feel, how you function and how you look.
The hormonal changes that take place at different stages of our life can contribute to hair loss and hair thinning in women. Whether you have just given birth, reached menopause or are going through some other type of hormonal changes, chances are your hair is falling out. Hormones are invisible yet powerful forces that run through the human body. They affect how you feel, how you function and how you look.
“Sex hormone issues are common in women with hypothyroidism” explains Dana Trinity, from the Hypothyroid mom”and even more reason why they should be part of thyroid testing for every person presenting with thyroid issues.”
Here are some of the ways that sex hormone imbalances can wreak havoc on your hair:
Sex hormone imbalances and oestrogen dominance: a cause of hair thinning
Thousands of women are diagnosed every day with Oestrogen Dominance, yet there is little information out there about this condition. This usually occurs in women in their mid-thirties, when progesterone levels begin to fall quicker than the oestrogen levels. If left untreated this can lead to migraines, fluid retention, fibrocystic breast disease, heavy, painful periods, hair loss, thinning hair, endometriosis and functional hypothyroidism. It can also lead to an increased risk of breast cancer.
Oestrogen is an essential hormone for women of all ages. It affects the way you feel. At the right levels, oestrogen energises you, improves your mood and stimulates a healthy sex drive. Too much oestrogen, however, can cause a whole host of problems. You might experience weight gain, toxicity (from endocrine disruptors) and perimenopause. It can also cause your hair to thin and fall out. Oestrogen peaks during and after pregnancy, then it can fall suddenly. This may result in sudden, unexpected hair loss for many women.
STEVEN F. HOTZE, M.D further explains how this can affect the thyroid: “Oestrogen dominance causes the liver to produce high levels of a protein called ‘thyroid binding globulin’, which, as its name suggests, binds the thyroid hormone and decreases the amount of thyroid hormone that can be assimilated into and utilized by the cells. What does this lead to? Low thyroid function and all of the negative side effects that come along with it.”
Insulin Resistance-linked to Androgenic Alopecia?
Insulin is an important hormone that has the task of keeping your blood sugar levels regulated. It ensures that your blood never has too much or too little sugar.
Insulin is also responsible for fat storage and the health of your heart. Your hair and its ability to grow is also affected by the insulin hormone. Women with insulin resistance are highly likely to suffer from androgenic alopecia (AGA), also known as female pattern baldness.
Hormones and Thyroid Woes
Many women suffer from thyroid imbalances. Low thyroid is a frequent cause of hair loss in women.
One of the things that your body does as a survival mechanism is to direct nutrition, strength and energy to your most critical systems when nourishment is scarce. Unfortunately for women, hair is not considered essential to survival and therefore is often sacrificed to take care of more KEY areas of your body.
If you think that you have a thyroid problem it’s important to get it tested. Women that suffer from hypothyroidism are more likely to have problems with sex hormones.
Sex hormone imbalances: high testosterone in women linked to hair loss
With men, high levels of testosterone means: big, athletic and hairy. On the other hand, for women, too much testosterone comes with all sorts of unwanted problems, including hair growth on the face, chest, neck and hair loss on your head. Not sexy.
Did you know that women can have too much testosterone, and those that do can suffer hair loss?
All women produce testosterone. This hormone increases our confidence, uplifts our mood and keeps us feeling energetic. The menopause, weight gain and other physical conditions can lead to women having too much testosterone in their system. When this happens, they experience male-pattern balding and even hair growth on their face. Strangely, low testosterone can also lead to hair loss in women.
As you can see, testosterone can be quite troublesome if it doesn’t remain balanced. Recent studies indicate that an increase in an androgen hormone called, DiHydroxytestosterone (DHT) also leads to hair loss. Not every doctor will know about this, which is why it’s important for you to read blogs like this and to advocate for yourself, based on the things we learn here.
When an individual suffers from male pattern baldness, DHT appears to attach itself to their hair follicles. When this happens over an extended period of time, it reduces the size of hair follicles to the point that they stop functioning. This process also stops new hair growth.
Your diet and the food you eat has an impact on three factors that influence male pattern balding: insulin, metabolic syndrome and DHT. Some foods that you eat will raise your insulin levels. These reactions then increase the amount of DHT in your system as well. Foods that increase your insulin levels are also likely to lead to metabolic syndrome.
Dr Josh Axe, medical researcher and editor of his health website, has a very helpful video — ‘6 Secrets for Reversing Hair Loss’ in which he says that research shows hair loss is linked to an increase in DHT.
Keep sex hormone imbalances and bay
Maintaining your luscious hair and hormones
Hair loss can lead to depression and anxiety, so it’s essential to stop it in its track as soon as possible.
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Healthy kisses Sandra Bloom