Are my hormones giving me dandruff?

 



Are my hormones giving me dandruff?


 

Does your hair feel greasier on certain days of the month, and dryer on others? And you suspect that it might have something to do with your menstrual cycle? Well, you’re not imagining it – your hormones – and thus your menstrual cycle – do affect your hair, scalp and skin.

In this blog, we explain how hormones control sebum production and affect the hair cycle, as well as why it’s important to understand these factors for maintaining a healthy scalp and promoting healthy hair growth.

 

 

Hormones and sebum production

 

Dandruff is caused by a type of yeast called Malassezia, which feeds on the oils produced by the sebaceous glands in your scalp. Your susceptibility to dandruff depends on how your body reacts to the fatty acids that the yeast releases. Sebum, the oil produced by the sebaceous glands, is controlled by hormones, which include androgens- in particular – and estrogen. When you’re born, your mother’s hormones control your sebum production. As you grow, your own hormones (androgens) take over, and during puberty, they activate the sebaceous glands. Sebum production increases during your teens and remains steady through your 20s and 30s, before decreasing with age.

 

Men generally produce more sebum than women, and at a higher rate for longer – into their 50s and 60s. Women’s sebum production drops rapidly after menopause. Studies show that scalp flaking disorders, such as dandruff, are linked to sebaceous activity.

 

Hormones and the hair cycle

 

Similarly, the hair cycle, as well as the structure of the hair follicle, are highly influenced by various hormones. Androgens, like testosterone, increase during puberty particularly, while the female sex hormone, estrogen, fluctuates depending on where a woman is in her menstrual cycle and her stage in life.

 

During the reproductive years, estrogen rises and falls with the menstrual cycle, peaking in the days leading up to ovulation. During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin can lead to more hair growth and thicker hair fibres. After giving birth, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, which can cause hair loss for some women. During menopause, estrogen depletion can lead to hair loss and excessive facial hair growth.

 

Your hormones play a big role in whether you develop dandruff or not, and at what stage of your life you can expect more dandruff. Understanding the underlying causes of dandruff and hair growth can help you better manage your scalp health and promote healthy hair growth.

 

Read more: Tips for maintaining a healthy scalp.

 


 

References

 

  1. Cleveland Clinic. (2021). Androgens. Cleveland Clinic [Online]. Accessed on 5 May 2023. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22002-androgens
  2. Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Estrogen. Cleveland Clinic [Online]. Accessed on 5 May 2023. Available from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22353-estrogen
  3. Grymowicz, M., Rudnicka, E., Podfigurna, A., Napierala, P., Smolarczyk, R., Smolarczyk, K., & Meczekalski, B. (2020). Hormonal Effects on Hair Follicles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(15), 5342. Available from https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/15/5342
  4. Ro, B. I., & Dawson, T. L. (2005). The role of sebaceous gland activity and scalp microfloral metabolism in the etiology of seborrheic dermatitis and dandruff. The Journal of Investigative Dermatology. Symposium Proceedings, 10(3), 194–197. Available from https://www.jidsponline.org/article/S0022-202X(15)52586-4/fulltext

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