I’ve had my share of hormonal imbalances at a very young age which started with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Further down the line, I was devastated with a diagnosis of premature menopause and autoimmune thyroid disease. Without a doubt, my hormones were a mess, and on top of it all, my beautiful long, thick black hair started falling out in clumps. I even noticed few grey hairs. Every day became worse. Maybe you can relate.
If you have a hormone imbalance with premature aging y and your natural levels of hormones start to change, no wonder you may notice that your hair has started to fall and thin out!
Hair loss is caused by hormonal imbalance. Following are patterns that I regularly see in most patients:
1. Increased testosterone in proportion to estrogen and progesterone.
2. Overactive or under-active thyroid: This a group of hormones that controls metabolism, weight, mood, and temperature. Both conditions can push hair into a falling-out phase.
3. Excess or not enough estrogen: This hormone is responsible for the menstrual cycle and female sex characteristics among other things. It plays a role in awakening hair follicles from their resting stage and signaling them to enter their growth phase.
4. Low levels of progesterone: This hormone is responsible for menstrual cycles and pregnancy. Chronic stress can deplete it, and stress is often a cause of hair loss.
5. Increased cortisol: This is a big one!! Persistent stress causes the adrenal glands to pump out lots of this stress hormone for extended periods. While the adrenal glands are busy churning out extra cortisol, they make less of the hormones that support healthy hair growth. Cortisol also increases the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the very androgenic hormone that causes male pattern baldness.
So that’s what is happening!
The good news is that you can reverse these hormone imbalances and start re-growing your hair again.
While hair tonics, castor oil massage with essential oils, herbs, and bio-identical hormones can help, especially progesterone, the answer is not only found at the bottom of the pill bottle.
Top 3 tips to deal with the root cause of the problem
1. Balance the three master hormones - insulin, cortisol, and oxytocin: To harmonize the hormones listed above, you’ve got to tackle insulin, cortisol, and oxytocin. When these are in sync, so is your estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and progesterone.
You can do this through a customized diet is which is high in fat, high in vegetables, (which nourishes hair roots), low in carbs, and moderate in protein (which is essential for healthy hair follicles). This revolutionary hormone balancing diet provides tasty, filling options for meals that help balance your hormones naturally and thus preventing and stopping hair fall which may be wrecking your life and self-esteem.
2. Cut down on stress which damages hair: One of the best ways to tame cortisol levels is by making lifestyle changes. Eat fresh veggies and fruits. Incorporate activities you love into your daily routine like being in nature, reading a book, or whatever makes you happy. Practice yoga or other daily physical activities. Take a deep breath and take time out for yourself.
3. Support your thyroid: This begins with hair-friendly minerals such as selenium, iodine, and zinc. Brazilian nuts contain high amounts of selenium, oysters are rich in zinc, and sushi or seaweed are the rich sources of iodine. Supplement with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.