Facial Hair and the Menopause
As we undergo hormonal changes during the menopause, it can trigger a gradual change in hair growth patterns. One common, and sometimes upsetting, sign of this is facial hair. It may appear on our upper lips, or as coarse dark hairs sprouting from our chins. Meanwhile, our eyebrows might become thinner.
Why do we experience facial hair during menopause?
When our “female” oestrogen and progesterone hormones fluctuate and fall, our testosterone levels can form a more dominant position in our general hormone production. If testosterone stays high long term, this will create an imbalance in terms of producing more “male” hormones called androgens. Higher levels of androgens means unusual and unwanted male pattern hair growth and hair texture on the face and the body.
Facial hair and your confidence
For many of us, gaining facial hair can feel confusing, distressing and maddening because it is threatening a part of our femininity and our body image. It can add to the sense of feeling out of control of what is happening within, during menopause. We may feel as if our appearance is compromised and this can really knock our self confidence, because facial hair is such a visual change to experience during the menopause.
What can help with excess facial hair?
The first helpful thing you can do is to be tested for an increased level of androgen production and then rebalance with natural remedies to help reduce the androgenic symptoms.
Popular remedies for dealing with facial hair
- Facial hair can be removed by plucking, waxing, or threading
- Electrolysis or laser hair removal can permanently remove facial hair
- Enjoy foods that are phytoestrogen rich i.e. soy
- Enjoy foods that are progesterone stimulating i.e. sweet potato
- Consume a fibre rich diet, to clear out excess androgen hormones
- Try natural supplementation such as Saw palmetto, black cohosh, chaste tree and spearmint. Make sure you get tested for any nutritional deficiencies before choosing a supplement.
If the excess of facial hair is causing you considerable distress or you’re wanting to look at other treatments that might help, please speak to you doctor who can look further into the changes your body is going through and may talk to you about treatments.
Disclaimer:
Become™️ has a wonderful team of experts who all helped in the writing of this content. The opinions expressed within this page are the opinions of many people we asked, and from information we researched online. Become™️ is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this page. All information is provided on an as-is basis.
