Among the many unfavorable changes women face during menopause, hair loss is one that contributes to the growing anxiety in menopausal women. But menopausal hair loss CAN be curbed and allow you to take menopause in stride. Here are some things you should know about menopausal hair loss and what you can do to control it.

1. Female hair loss can often be well combated when targeted early. Women usually notice a thinning over the crown or widening of the part, as opposed to men who get receding hair lines or bald spots on top of the scalp.

2. Hair is made of protein so it is essential you are getting sufficient amounts of it. Good sources of protein are egg whites, low-fat cottage cheese, lean meat, legumes, and nuts.

3. Non-dietary protein sources such as salon keratin treatments and protein-enriched shampoos are another way to deliver protein to your hair to avoid hair loss.

4. There are so many vitamins and minerals that we’re told to make sure we have enough of but which ones should we be focusing on for hair health and in particular, hair loss? Iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin A, are just to name a few  to keep hair healthy and strong.

5. You also may want to consider hair tools that use LED light to increase scalp circulation, which experts believe encourages protein-rich blood reach your hair.

6. You should also wear hat when you’re outdoors to protect your hair and scalp from the harsh sun. Consuming more vitamin E will also help keep your hair, skin, and scalp protected.

7. Ease up when brushing to be sure you’re not pulling out any hair. Avoid tight hairstyles or twisting, rubbing, or pulling your hair so as not to cause unnecessary stress to your hair and scalp.

8. Hair loss may come about due to hormonal abnormalities for some menopausal women. An excess of male hormones, for example could cause hair loss that looks similar to male hair loss. This can be treated by taking oral contraceptives. It’s important to talk to your doctor about your treatment options if you discover there is a hormonal imbalance.

9. When experiencing hair loss as a woman, it might be tempting to do all sorts of things to try and hide the fact. But adding harsh chemical products to dye, curl, or straighten your hair might exacerbate the problem. Try switching to more natural products.

10. There are medications that specifically target medication although most are used for male-pattern baldness. There are topical medications or pill forms, and all medication options should be thoroughly discussed with your doctor.