When our progesterone levels fall as a result of lack of ovulation, our body responds by increasing its production of the adrenal cortical steroid, androstenedione. This acts much like the male hormone, androgen, and can sometimes cause ‘male pattern’ hair loss in menopausal women.

If our progesterone levels are raised by natural progesterone supplements, the androstenedione level will gradually fall, and normal hair growth eventually resumes. However, since hair growth is a slow process, it may take up to six months for the effects to become apparent.

The average head has about 100,000 hairs - hairs that grow and are shed regularly. Most people lose 50 to 100 strands of hair each day. This is normal. Usually, the follicle replaces the lost hairs in about six months. Many factors can disrupt this cycle. The result can be that your hair falls out early or isn't replaced.

Age and hormones are two of the biggest factors behind hair loss. Many women who begin first noticing hair loss during peri-menopause will experience a thickening of previously thinning and the sometimes the regrowth of lost hair once the hormones level off and they are postmenopausal.

Other causes A variety of other factors may cause hair loss often temporary in women. These may include:

Medications: drugs used to treat cancer, blood thinners, antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, birth control pills, and high doses of certain vitamins.

Diet: Too little protein in your diet can lead to hair loss, as can too little iron. Too strenuous dieting can result in hair loss! If you want to lose weight, do it the sensible way, especially if you have a hair thinning/loss problem to begin with.

Stress or illness: hair loss may begin one to three months after a stressful situation (such as major surgery), high fevers, severe infections, chronic illnesses, or an auto-immune disorders.

Thyroid disease: An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause hair loss. Some women have reported cases of hair loss FROM taking a thyroid medication.

Ringworm: This fungal infection can cause small patches of scaling skin and some hair loss if it occurs on the scalp.

Hair loss that is caused by medical conditions, medications or stress is often treatable and/or reversible. It may actually return on its own once the condition has passed.

Things to consider:

Wigs: These may be a relatively inexpensive and easy option if your hair loss is widespread.

Minoxidil (Rogaine): This may help stop hair loss in some people. Effectiveness can vary and you will need to keep using it to maintain benefits.

Hair transplants: An option for women as well as men. A newer method, called micrograft hair transplantation, uses single hair grafts and has been successful in selected patients.

Shorter, layered hair cuts add fullness and body to the hair and there is no heavy "pull" from the scalp as with long hair.

Use soft brushes instead of combs and try to avoid heavy hair sprays. Useing a "good" mousse or soft gel after washing can give your hair additional body without harming it.

Avoid using any type of hair comb and anything that "tugs" at your hair.

Aternate shampoos - at least once a month to avoid a buildup of product.

Ask your hair stylist to NOT "feather" your hair when it is cut. Feathering can make thin hair look even thinner.

Hair conditioners often make fine hair feel thinner and unmanageable, so use them sparingly.

You might look into Soy isoflavones which have estrogenic effects (without the risk of synthetic HRT) and have helped many women who have hair thinning problems. It is also believed that the B vitamins (in particular B2 and B8 [Inositol]) are helpful in preventing hair loss.