Understanding Telogen Effluvium and Its Relationship to Menopause

Understanding Telogen

and Health

Telogen Effluvium is a hair loss disorder that can occur when the body experiences a shock, such as menopause, a major illness, or a major surgery. It is a temporary condition that usually resolves itself without treatment in several months, although some people may take up to a year to recover. While it can cause significant hair loss, it is not usually permanent and hair usually grows back after the shock is over.

What is Telogen Effluvium?

Telogen Effluvium is a type of hair loss disorder in which the growth cycle of the hair is disrupted. Hair typically goes through three stages: the growth (anagen) stage, the transitional (catagen) stage, and the resting (telogen) stage. During the resting stage, hairs are released from the hair follicle and shed from the scalp shortly afterwards. In Telogen Effluvium, the number of hairs in the resting stage is greatly increased, leading to a dramatic amount of shedding.

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What Causes Telogen Effluvium?

The most common cause of Telogen Effluvium is a major physical or emotional shock, such as a major illness, surgery, childbirth, extreme stress, or menopause. The shock causes a disruption in the normal cycle of hair growth and shedding, resulting in a large number of hairs entering the resting stage at once. Other causes of this condition include dietary deficiencies, such as iron deficiency and low protein intake, as well as certain medications, such as thyroid medications and retinoids.

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Symptoms of Telogen Effluvium

The most common symptom of Telogen Effluvium is excessive shedding, which can occur anywhere from a few weeks to months after the initial shock. Additionally, patients may experience thinning, general hair loss, and a receding hairline.

Relationship to Menopause and Health

Menopause has been identified as a major shock that can lead to Telogen Effluvium. Female hormones play a major role in the development of this condition, as the decrease in their production during menopause, this can trigger Telogen Effluvium. Additionally, the physiological and psychological changes of menopause may also be a factor, as these can contribute to a higher risk of shock-inducing events.

Treatments for Telogen Effluvium

Most cases of Telogen Effluvium resolve themselves when the underlying cause of the shock is resolved. For example, if the cause of the shock is menopause, then the hair should grow back naturally once menopause comes to an end. However, in some cases, medications or dietary supplements may be prescribed to help with the recovery process.

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Conclusion

Telogen Effluvium is a common hair loss disorder that is often triggered by a major shock, such as menopause. While it is usually a temporary condition that resolves itself without treatment, it is important to understand the relationship between Telogen Effluvium and menopause and health in order to know when to seek medical help and manage the condition properly.

Keywords: Telogen Effluvium, Menopause, Hair Loss, Health, Growth Cycle, Dietary Deficiencies, Medications