In Australia, millions of women experience hair loss, with hormonal imbalances often being a key factor. These imbalances can disrupt hair growth, particularly during menopause, after pregnancy, or in conditions such as PCOS. Despite how common it is, female hair loss is still a sensitive and often unspoken subject, leaving many women feeling isolated. Fortunately, there are many effective options to support healthy hair growth. With the support of medicinal plants, phytohormones, a holistic approach to hair health, and the right nutrition, hormonally-induced hair loss can be managed and positively influenced.

Hormones control the hair roots

Hormones are biochemical messengers produced by specialized cells. They perform a wide variety of functions in the human body and also influence the duration of the hair cycle and the division activity of hair follicles.

Simply put, hair follicles, and thus also the hair roots, are controlled by hormones. While estrogen stimulates hair growth in women, reduced hormone production or an increase in male hormones can trigger hair loss.

Hair loss itself isn’t a disease — it’s a symptom of an underlying imbalance. Therefore, the focus should always be on the causes.

Regarding hormonal hair loss, there has been a threatening increase in rates over the last 20 years.

This phenomenon is receiving considerable attention in medical research. Possible contributing factors include taking the contraceptive pill too early or for too long, or hormone residues in food and drinking water.

Hair loss is also a women’s issue

Every woman goes through different stages of life, all of which are influenced by hormones: menstrual cycle, pregnancies and menopause.

This means that shifts in hormones can directly influence hair health and growth. In women, hair loss occurs more frequently during puberty, after pregnancy, and during menopause. Even suddenly stopping the contraceptive pill after years of use leads to hormonal changes and can trigger hair loss.

Hair loss, however, is still considered a male issue. This ignores the fact that many women are also affected by this problem. Diffuse hair loss is even more common in women than in men.

Girls and young women between 16 and 20 can also suffer from diffuse hair loss. Sometimes, increased hair loss occurs after puberty, triggered by hormonal fluctuations.

Hair loss after pregnancy

During pregnancy, levels of the hormone estrogen rise in the body, which stimulates hair growth. Many women enjoy particularly shiny and healthy hair during this phase of life. This makes it all the more difficult to bear when their hair disappears again after birth.

The key factor is that hormone levels plummet. Starting around the eighth week after delivery, the hormonal changes can lead to increased hair loss—also known as pregnancy-related hair loss. (1)

This phase can last up to six months, after which hair growth usually returns to normal.

Breastfeeding can also be associated with hair loss. The hormone prolactin, which contributes to milk production, shortens the hair growth phase. However, after weaning, hair usually grows back.

Hair loss in women with PCOS

In women, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is often diagnosed as the cause of hair loss.

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is one of the most common hormonal disorders in women of childbearing age.

Women affected by hair loss suffer from excessive production of male sex hormones. Symptoms include hair loss, acne, increased body hair, and often infertility. Conventional medicine treats these conditions with medication that can suppress the effects of male hormones or prescribes the pill.

However, the former medication is also prescribed for hypersexuality and for the feminization of male-to-female transsexuals. These uses also indicate the expected side effects:

Reduced sex drive, breast growth or tenderness, and muscle weakness. Other side effects include fatigue, depression, weight problems, and changes in liver tissue.

For PCOS, it is recommended to implement the measures described here: Beating PCOS

Hair loss during menopause

During menopause, the hormonal composition of the female body undergoes fundamental changes. Stopping the contraceptive pill during this phase of life exacerbates this effect.

Since the estrogen involved in women’s hair growth is no longer available in sufficient quantities during menopause, the hair growth phases are shortened.

Hormonal changes can also cause genetic hair loss.

There are numerous hair-strengthening medicinal plants such as nettle, birch leaves, rosemary, ginger or horsetail that can be used to promote hair growth.

Hawthorn, horse chestnut, and evening primrose also contain an estrogen-like substance (beta-sitosterol), which can stop hair loss during menopause.

*Here you will find hawthorn

The medicinal plants can be consumed as a tea or massaged into the scalp as a tincture or decoction. This can promote blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. If the body is supplied with sufficient nutrients through the diet, the hair roots are further strengthened.

Phytohormones against hair loss

Conventional medicine usually only offers hormone therapies for hormonal hair loss. Those affected are often not informed until far too late that these therapies are associated with numerous side effects and long-term effects.

Long-term hormone therapies carry significant risks and lead to increased rates of cancer and heart attacks.

But more and more women are turning to ancient remedies and daring to look beyond their cultural horizons. There are numerous plants that contain active ingredients that positively influence the female hormonal system and thus hair growth – like the aforementioned beta-sitosterol.

These plant hormones are called phytohormones. Phytohormones have a similar regulatory effect on the body as the body’s own hormones.

The most important hormone-releasing plants include yam root, chasteberry, fenugreek, evening primrose, yarrow, lady’s mantle, red clover, passionflower, hops, and black cohosh. They can be prepared as tea or tincture, or used in capsule or extract form.

Phytohormones are also used to treat menstrual problems, premenstrual syndrome, and menopause without placing unnecessary strain on the body.

Androgenic hair loss in women

Several researchers have also reported links between excessive amounts of sebum in the scalp and hair loss. Excessive amounts of sebum, which often accompany hair thinning, are attributed to systemic inflammation in the body and an enlargement of the sebaceous glands.

Scientists believe that this contributes to the formation of large amounts of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which leads to blockage of the pores and, as a result, to additional inflammatory processes.

In order to eliminate (or at least alleviate) problems in the hair follicles that are caused by inflammatory reactions, many different factors must be taken into account.

1. Inhibit androgenic hormone production

The first step is to inhibit the excessive production of androgenic hormones.

For this purpose, the use of high-quality saw palmetto products is recommended. Saw palmetto ensures that the cell membrane no longer absorbs large amounts of DHT. This serves to balance hormone levels. Other foods and nutrients that inhibit DHT include green tea extracts and so-called systemic enzymes.

2. Take antioxidants

The second step involves replenishing intracellular antioxidant stores with high-quality antioxidants. Increasing the concentration of antioxidants in the cells protects the scalp and the mitochondria (energy producers) in the follicle cells from oxidative stress. If, however, the body’s antioxidant levels are low, levels of kinase C rise. This is a specific protein that accelerates hair follicle loss.

The best ways to increase the amount of antioxidants in the body include krill oil, astaxanthin, lutein, quercetin, resveratrol, grape seed extract (OPC) and zeaxanthin or even aronia berries in the form of juice or powder.

3. Vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids

Cytokines act as molecular messengers that control various inflammatory processes. A particularly pro-inflammatory cytokine is TNF-α. If the sebaceous glands and hair follicles release excessive amounts of TNF-a, further inflammation and hair loss occur rapidly. Reasons for rising TNF-a levels include a vitamin D deficiency and an unfavorable ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the cells. The first step here is to bring the vitamin D level back up to normal.

Additionally, you should provide yourself with high-quality fats. Avoid omega-6-rich fats/oils (sunflower oil, pumpkin seed oil, and safflower oil), instead choosing neutral oils like olive oil and coconut oil. For omega-3 intake, opt for hemp oil and linseed oil, or even krill oil capsules or vegan DHA algae oil.

Certain substances that can lower TNF-α levels or inhibit TNF-α include curcumin, Gingko Biloba extract, nettle extract, green tea extract, fish oil, borage oil, evening primrose oil, and systemic enzymes.

*Get your Omega-3 here