The Rundown On Menopause And Wigs

Menopause and wigs. Maybe it’s not something you’ve thought about before or it’s something that’s weighing heavily on your mind. Whichever category you fall into, we’re here to help shed a little more light on the connection between the two subjects so continue reading for more. 

What Is Menopause?

The NHS defines menopause as the time “when a woman stops having periods and is no longer able to get pregnant naturally”. Symptoms can start a few years before the menopause–a period of time known as the perimenopause–and most common among them are hot flushes, difficulty sleeping and reduced sex drive, to name a few.

Although these symptoms might initially sound worrying or even scary, menopause is just a natural part of life and nothing to be scared of. Despite the way media and pop culture have often portrayed menopause as something to be terrified of and as the ‘end’ of a woman’s life, it’s anything but. In rare cases when menopause causes a big shift in someone’s life, with careful monitoring and medical help, menopausal symptoms can be made more manageable.

While the symptoms above are some of the most well known, one symptom that’s not as heavily discussed is hair loss.

What’s The Link Between Hair Loss And Menopause? 

We’ve all heard of male pattern baldness but maybe not so much about female pattern baldness. Much like with men, female pattern baldness is often caused by hormonal imbalances which mostly manifest later on in life. As menopause can bring changes in hormone levels, it’s common for women to start experiencing hair loss as they approach the menopause. In fact, up to two-thirds of women who are or have experienced menopause have also dealt with change in their hair.

Hair can start thinning, leading to greater shedding and more obvious hair loss due to these hormonal imbalances. However, it’s important to note that menopause won’t always directly result in hair loss. For some women, the hair loss is actually caused by the stress brought on by other symptoms.

As hair loss caused by menopause isn’t as widely discussed as it should be, it can be easy to feel alone and unsure of what to do when experiencing hair loss as part of menopause. What’s important to remember is that it’s more common than you might think with more than 40 percent of women experiencing menopausal hair loss. 

How Do Wigs Come Into Play?

While wigs are often worn simply for fun or as a way to protect natural hair from the stresses of day-to-day life, throughout their history, wigs have always had some part to play in helping to disguise medical or health-related issues and menopause is no different.

Hair makes up a very large part of a person’s sense of self and can directly impact someone’s confidence–we know we definitely feel more confident when we have our hair styled the way we like it. So it’s no surprise that some women experiencing menopause deal with the related hair loss by turning to wigs to help them maintain their favourite looks.

When applied correctly and safely, wigs are an easy and convenient way to maintain the appearance of a full head of hair without putting additional strain on natural hair which could lead to even more hair loss.

With a wide variety of wigs available, there's now more choice than ever before meaning it's easier to find a wig to suit your style and needs. Grey wigs are also readily available making them a great option for women whose natural hair has also started greying while experiencing menopause.

Image | Rewigs 

What Should I Keep In Mind When Buying A Wig During Menopause?

We love looking at the silver linings so if hair loss caused by menopause has encouraged you to consider wearing wigs, this could be an opportunity to explore a new hairstyle. So if you’ve been thinking of changing up your colour or looking for a different cut, a wig can be a great way to let your creative side shine and allow you to fulfil those hair fantasies.

On the other hand, if you want a wig that mimics your natural hair pre-menopause, it’s important to keep factors like colour and density in mind. You’ll want a wig that matches your natural hair colour for a more seamless look.

Density refers to the thickness of the wig so consider how thick your natural hair was before the hair loss. While you could use the opportunity to add more thickness to your hair, having a wig that’s too thick can be a tell-tale sign of a wig. So if you’re aiming for a natural look most like your real hair, density should definitely be on your list of things to keep in mind.

Also consider whether you want a synthetic or human hair wig. There are pros and cons to both and which type you go for will depend entirely on you; your lifestyle, the look you’re going for and how much time you want to dedicate to the upkeep that comes with wigs. 

Considering your attachment method is also very important. Traditional methods like combs and glue can add more damage to already weak hair so a gentler alternative like The Wig Fix is much more suitable. Thanks to the skin-soft silicone it's made from, The Wig Fix uses natural friction to keep wigs secured without causing damage to natural hair. 

Would you consider wearing wigs during menopause? Let us know your thoughts. 

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