Perimenopause vs Menopause: Symptoms, Hair Changes & Herbs That Actually Help
- Admin
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Perimenopause vs menopause
Symptoms
Lifestyle & herbal solutions
How it affects hair growth
What herbs specifically support healthy hair during hormone changes
If you’re noticing mood swings, brain fog, stubborn weight gain—or suddenly shedding more hair than usual—you’re not crazy, and you’re definitely not alone.
These could be signs of perimenopause or menopause, and they can affect almost everything, including your energy, skin, and yes—your hair growth cycle.
Let’s break it all down clearly (no fluff), and talk about natural ways to rebalance your body—including herbs that support hormone health and hair regrowth.
🔄 Perimenopause vs Menopause: What’s the Difference?
✨
Perimenopause
The transition phase before menopause—can start in your 30s or 40s and last several years.
🌀 Hormone Fluctuations:
Estrogen and progesterone rise and fall unpredictably
Periods may become heavier, lighter, or totally irregular
Common Symptoms:
Mood swings
Anxiety
Insomnia
Weight gain
Fatigue
PMS that feels amplified
Hair shedding or dull texture
🔥
Menopause
Menopause begins when you’ve gone 12 months with no period. Estrogen and progesterone are now consistently lower.
Common Symptoms:
Hot flashes
Night sweats
Vaginal dryness
Brain fog
Low libido
Belly fat increase
Hair thinning, especially on the crown or edges
🧠 How Hormones Affect Hair Growth
Hair grows in cycles:
Anagen (growth phase)
Catagen (resting phase)
Telogen (shedding phase)
When estrogen and progesterone drop (especially during perimenopause + menopause), hair spends less time in the growth phase and more time in the shedding phase.
Other Factors That Worsen Hair Loss:
High cortisol (stress hormone)
Low iron or ferritin
Thyroid shifts
Insulin resistance
Poor circulation to the scalp
🎯 You may notice:
Thinning edges
More hair in the brush or shower
Less density or volume
Slower regrowth
✅ What Helps: Lifestyle + Natural Herbs
🔹
Lifestyle Tips for Hair + Hormone Health:
Eat more protein + healthy fats (hair is made of keratin)
Manage stress: deep sleep, meditation, adaptogens
Strength training to balance insulin + estrogen
Avoid tight hairstyles and harsh hair products
🌿
Top Herbs for Hormonal Balance & Hair Support
Here’s what to use and why:
1.
Maca Root
Balances estrogen and supports adrenal health
Boosts energy, mood, and libido
Can indirectly support healthy hair by stabilizing hormones
2.
Black Cohosh
Helps reduce hot flashes + night sweats
May protect against hormone-related hair loss
3.
Ashwagandha
Powerful adaptogen = lowers cortisol (stress-related hair loss)
Supports thyroid and adrenal glands
Boosts sleep quality
4.
Nettle Leaf
Rich in iron, silica, and minerals that support hair strength
Anti-inflammatory; helps with scalp health
Can reduce DHT sensitivity (linked to hair thinning)
5.
Horsetail (Silica-rich)
Strengthens hair shafts, improves texture
Promotes collagen production and scalp circulation
6.
Saw Palmetto
Blocks DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone byproduct that causes hair thinning in women after menopause
Often used in natural hair growth serums + supplements
💡 Quick Combo for Hair Support:
A supplement or tea blend with:
Nettle + Horsetail + Saw Palmetto (for hair strength & scalp support)
Ashwagandha + Maca (for hormone + stress balance)
✨ Final Takeaway
If you’re in perimenopause or menopause and noticing your hair isn’t what it used to be—it’s not vanity, it’s hormonal reality. The good news? You can support your body naturally, without waiting for it to crash.
Track your symptoms. Add herbs and nutrients that give your hormones and hair what they need. You’re not powerless—you just need a game plan.
🎁 Free Download:
Coming 7/21/2025
🌸
Red Clover Tops: Why They’re a Go-To for Menopause & Hair Health
Red clover isn’t just a pretty wildflower—it’s a powerhouse herb packed with plant-based estrogens (aka phytoestrogens), which mimic the body’s natural estrogen in a gentler, more supportive way.
🔹
Key Benefits for Menopause & Perimenopause:
1. Balances Hormones Naturally
The phytoestrogens in red clover bind to estrogen receptors and help smooth out drops in estrogen—which is the root cause of so many menopause symptoms.
✔ Eases hot flashes
✔ Reduces night sweats
✔ Supports vaginal moisture
✔ Calms mood swings & anxiety
2. Supports Hair Growth + Thickness
Red clover helps counteract hair loss caused by estrogen decline and DHT (a hormone byproduct that causes follicle shrinkage in women over 40).
✔ Promotes longer hair growth phase
✔ Reduces shedding
✔ Improves scalp circulation
✔ May help thicken fine or thinning hair
3. Skin & Bone Bonus
Red clover is rich in isoflavones (especially genistein & daidzein), which support collagen production and bone density—two things that dip hard during menopause.
✔ Fights dryness + sagging skin
✔ Supports bone health naturally
🧠 Red Clover Tops vs Other Hormone Herbs
Herb
Key Strength
Hair Benefit?
Red Clover Tops
Gentle estrogen support + DHT blocker
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Maca Root
Boosts energy + balances entire system
⭐⭐
Black Cohosh
Hot flash relief, good in early menopause
⭐
Saw Palmetto
DHT blocker, good for crown thinning
⭐⭐⭐
Nettle Leaf
Mineral-rich, supports scalp + iron levels
⭐⭐⭐
🌿 How to Use Red Clover Tops:
Tea
→ Steep 1–2 tsp of dried tops in hot water for 10–15 mins. Drink 1–2x daily.
Tincture / Capsules
→ Easy for daily use. Look for standardized isoflavones (40–80 mg/day range is common).
Topical Scalp Serums
→ Some natural hair growth serums use red clover extract to block DHT and nourish follicles directly.
⚠️ Who Should Be Cautious:
If you’ve had estrogen-positive cancers (like breast or uterine), speak with your doctor before using phytoestrogens.
Always check with a professional if you’re on HRT or meds.
✅ Bottom Line:
Red Clover Tops are one of the best all-around herbs for women in perimenopause and menopause—especially if you want to:
Calm hormonal chaos
Grow stronger, thicker hair
Support your skin, mood, and energy naturally
Needed this!!! Listened to it twice!