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Menopause

menopause peroxide oh no!

(37 Posts)
ifcatsruledtheworld Wed 24-Jan-18 19:18:29

Hello

I’m new so I hope this question appears in the right place.

Has anyone had experience of a ‘normal for them’ hair dying routine starting to seriously mess up their hair during menopause or peri?

I’m only doing what I always have and my hair is just breaking. I’m being so much more careful than I ever have regarding length of time and overlapping but it isn’t going well. My hair is still breaking! I’ve onky got about a third of what I had anyway.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so what did you do? I feel like shaving the lot off!

BlueBelle Wed 24-Jan-18 20:45:24

I ve never dyed bleached or coloured my hair so not a lot of use but I was wondering if your health is ok as that can cause hair to break off my

ifcatsruledtheworld Thu 25-Jan-18 00:02:52

Hello Bluebelle

I have no idea. I only know that I am in Peri, on hrt and my hair can’t stand what it used to. I have had estradiol test and pre hrt it was very low.

Teetime Thu 25-Jan-18 09:26:38

Yes I did have a problem with straw hair for a while and some hair loss. I think may also have been some medication I was on at the time. The only solution is a good hairdresser and good hair products at home. A good healthy diet help too. Good Luck it should come right smile

MaggieMay69 Thu 25-Jan-18 10:23:43

Yes this has happened to me too! The best thing I could do was be so so kind to my hair for a while, and I asked my Doctor if I could take Holland and Barratt skin hair and nails tabs, and she said it was fine for what I was on at the time ( couldn't list, too numerous and always changing!!)
But every day I used a cheap conditioner, wrapped a towel around my head & let it sink in, rinse and just let my hair heal I suppose. I lost quite a bit of hair but with time its all fine now. I decided to get my hair back to a nicer condition I would not strip my hair any more, but add a darker blonde that actually gave some conditioning instead of stripping the colour out, and while I thought it would never suit me, looks quite good! For now!

rizlett Thu 25-Jan-18 10:29:03

I lost about 50% of my hair thickness once my early menopause started and even years later my house is subject to lots of hair left all over the place.

I stopped dying it lighter blonde with Sun In though and started to use cassia powder with some chamomile added - its in great condition now, only needs washing once a month, and looks much thicker.

Pearlsaminger Thu 25-Jan-18 10:38:20

My hair fell out in handfuls after a failed surgery and because of that, I couldn’t eat or drink and became malnourished.

My hair broke if you even looked at it - let alone brushed it. My bedroom carpet turned into a furry rug in no time!

I took the Holland & Barrett Hair, Skin and Nails tablets too, and did exactly the same as MaggieMay, was kind to my hair, conditioned it and left the conditioner in overnight then gently rinsed it out (the shower can be too harsh at times)

Used a wide toothed comb to de-tangle and let it dry naturally. When I went back to my hairdresser after 4 months she said my hair had become a lot thicker and healthier and what had I done?!

The drugs I was taking played havoc with my hair but I needed them at the time. My hair is ok at the moment, apart from needing a good cut... and the fact that I can’t bare my natural colour coming through, and I’m having to dye it to cover up the white roots.. confused

Womble54 Thu 25-Jan-18 10:44:42

I wonder whether it might be worth having your thyroid checked. I started to get these symptoms in my late 40's when I started the menopause. Apparently the two conditions often develop together - something to do with the immune system I believe. As well as my hair, my fingernails kept breaking off, and I had all kinds of other unpleasant symptoms. My then GP fobbed me off with antidepressants, and I struggled on for several years before being diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition - I shall be on tablets for life, but once on them I started to feel "normal" again (or what passes for normal with me)! Might be worth getting this checked out, as the condition is notoriously underdiagnosed.

Hm999 Thu 25-Jan-18 11:19:11

I read some research recently that letting it dry naturally weakens hair, better to use hair dryer. I was very very surprised.

Ulli58 Thu 25-Jan-18 11:32:52

Sorry to hear about this, Ifcatsruledtheworld, hair loss and breakage is so distressing. I have lost much of my fringe hair over the past five years, and find that a good hairdresser can find a way to deal with it. I have my hair high and low-lighted which means no colour touches my scalp and regrowth is much less noticeable than all over colour. I also find that using Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer as a hairmask once a week strengthens my hair and makes it less likely to break. Good luck!

GabriellaG Thu 25-Jan-18 12:03:23

Hello ifcatsruledtheworld, and welcome.
I'm almost new here and there is lots of good and varied advice to be had.
I've had my hair dyed both professionally and doing it myself for the last 57 years and all colours, from auburn through all the reds, browns and blondes imaginable. My hair was naturally copper-brown, long, very thick, strong and slightly wavy.
My meno occurred without fanfare when I was 51 and I had no symptoms. Hair texture was drier and looked even thicker when it was very blonde (L'Oreal Blondissimes) but I treated it gently.
I suspect that everyone is different according to hair condition, their wellbeing and any medication they are taking. Stress can also be a factor (so I have read elsewhere)
In your position, would either go to a tricologist for advice, stop colouring my hair and/or see your GP if you are taking meds.
Everyone's reaction to the meno and their hair will differ so you are not going to get a definitive answer on here. Best wishes and don't stress. We are not doctors or tricologist here so get professional advice.

GabriellaG Thu 25-Jan-18 12:11:21

By the way. Conditioner only makes hair look thinner as it smooth the cuticle. Richard Ward salon in London advised me to use a silk hankie over hairbrush to smooth hair after styling and, if necessary, to use a product AFTER cool drying by rubbing on hands and smoothing over hair. Conditioner doesn't stop hair breaking, it simply smooths. It's most fragile when wet.
That was from the salon which does the hair of the Duchess of Cambridge.

blue60 Thu 25-Jan-18 12:11:52

Although I'm naturally blonde, I had highlights for years until last year. I decided to stop because my skin was very dry and my hair always looked too bright.

I now have quite a bit of silver coming through, and my hair is in much better condition. I shampoo and condition most days using a medium heat setting on the hair dryer, and have a good cut every 6-8 weeeks (a bob) which needs little attention.

I'm actually looking forward to it being silver all over!

GabriellaG Thu 25-Jan-18 12:13:06

HM999

That article was total rubbish.

GabriellaG Thu 25-Jan-18 12:17:28

Washing hair too often ie: daily, robs it of natural oils which, if you use a good natural bristle hairbrush by Kent or Mason Pearson, would be distributed down the whole hair shaft

sweetcakes Thu 25-Jan-18 12:59:29

Try a course of vitamin D my daughter in laws hair was thin and the doctor prescribed vitamin D now its it much thicker

ifcatsruledtheworld Thu 25-Jan-18 13:14:55

Oh my goodness you are all so helpful. Maggie May I think this is where I’m going... Stopping the bleach totally. And Rizlet it’s reassuring to hear it happened ‘once’ and you are through it as right now I feel as though I am on the road to a bad thing forever with no recovery.

Gabriella thank you some good advice!

The thing is you sort of hear about these things but no one has ever said to me “beware the meno as your hair will become too frail to bleach”. Like they don’t tell you that all your eyebrows will fall out either! What joy. I keep telling myself it’s only hair and not health.

Interesting comment re thyroid too. I did however do a saliva and serum estradiol and progesterone test before I went on hrt and my estradiol was incredibly low.

It’s really interesting to hear how you all have dealt with it. Yep I can feel a mousey and grey bob coming on.

Those of you who got through it? How long did the hair issues go on?

minxie Thu 25-Jan-18 13:18:53

Me to, so I went to a hairdresser to get it done properly and it’s a lot better. It cost more obviously but looking good doesn’t come cheap the older you get

Eloethan Thu 25-Jan-18 13:26:42

Sadly, I think hair tends to get less plentiful and lusrous with age. Mine became very frizzy and dull. I buy hair tablets from Holland and Barratt, which I think help. I've also just got a new hairdryer which is ionic. I'm not quite sure what that means, and initially I felt it "flattened" my hair, but now my hair seems much smoother, and not at all frizzy.

I think highlights a kinder on the hair than overall bleaching.

lesley4357 Thu 25-Jan-18 14:28:04

Thinning hair/hair loss v common in menopause. Try not to bleach it or use dryer/straighteners so often. There are plant based dyes available that don't contain bleach.

ifcatsruledtheworld Thu 25-Jan-18 16:08:46

Hello Lesley. Do you know of any makes? My hair ‘was’ lilac and I use directions (over peroxide) which is totally plant based. However when I look for normal colours like this they just don’t seem to be out there. My mom uses a very dark directions purple which I wouldn’t need bleach for but I have been looking for normal colours too. Any brand names would be welcome

Cambia Thu 25-Jan-18 16:29:53

My nails were atrocious, so I started to take Biotin just once a day. They are lots stronger now but I have noticed that the plus is that my hair is healthier too. Dont think quite so much is going down the plug hole when I wash it and it feels shiny and healthy. Takes a little while to work but I am definitely carrying on with them.

janeainsworth Thu 25-Jan-18 16:38:39

gabriella
That article was total rubbish
Do try to be more polite when refuting other posters’ suggestions and preferably back your own assertions with evidence.

Boolya Thu 25-Jan-18 16:49:16

Oh how I wish I had some hair to worry about! Have had to wear a wig since 1987. At least I don't have to shave underarms or legs!

LizHand Thu 25-Jan-18 16:52:48

just been to hairdresser and in past 6 months have become an olaplex fan..involves a salon treatment with my 6 weekly colour and once a wk overnight mask at home. Colour lasts longer, hair stronger, shinier and no fizz 10 yrs post meno.