Thinning hair isn’t just a cosmetic concern; it’s a signal from your body
Thinning hair isn’t just a cosmetic concern; it’s a signal from your body. If your locks are lacking, you’re not alone: at least one-third of women experience noticeable hair thinning at some point in their lives.
What’s to blame? Common culprits include inflammation, stress, nutritional deficiencies in iron and biotin, thyroid imbalances, harsh hair treatments, and genetics. However, hormones are often the biggest players, especially for women.
Perimenopause, with its hormonal ups and downs and metabolic changes, can often trigger unwelcome changes in hair. This natural transition phase is driven by fluctuating and ultimately declining levels of estrogen and progesterone. And it can start as early as our mid-30s and last 10–15 years.
The stages of hair growth… and loss
Hair naturally undergoes a three-phase growth cycle: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (shedding). However, stressors, including dramatic drops in estrogen and progesterone, can create a change in hair follicle dynamics, shifting more follicles into the telogen stage at once. This results in reduced follicle metabolism and circulation, leading to thinning and hair loss.
To add insult to injury, declining estrogen and progesterone can also trigger an increase in the production of certain androgens, or “male” hormones, which shrink hair follicles and result in further hair loss.
Enter two plant-based game-changers
While traditional options like minoxidil (also known as Rogaine®) or hormone therapies have their place, exciting new research shines a spotlight on two promising, research-backed botanicals.
The first is a proprietary extract, SesZen-Bio™, derived from the hummingbird tree (Sesbania grandiflora). Its leaves contain significantly higher biotin levels compared to other plant sources, along with naturally occurring polyphenols, iron, and vitamin C. A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial revealed striking results. After only eight weeks, participants experienced a 25% increase in hair density and a 17% increase in thickness, and nearly 72% reported improvements in overall hair health. Serum ferritin – a marker of iron storage status – also rose by about 27%, suggesting enhanced nutrient support for improved follicle activity.
The second is a standardized herbal blend of Silk plant (Cynanchum wilfordii), Han Sok-Dan (Phlomis umbrosa), and Red angelica (Angelica gigas). Its impacts on hair are a little more indirect, but still very promising. Collectively known as EstroG-100®, it has been shown in multiple randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials to significantly improve a wide range of symptoms within 12 weeks: hot flashes, sleep disturbances, mood swings, fatigue, joint pain, vaginal dryness, and more.
How does this tie to hair? By easing menopausal symptoms and supporting hormonal and psychological balance, EstroG-100 can help reduce stress-induced shedding and create a more favorable internal environment for hair growth. In addition, it is not estrogenic in any way, won’t cause weight gain, is liver-friendly, and has shown no adverse impact on metabolic markers or basal metabolic rate.
Hair health – a hormonal and holistic approach
While more than half of all women are affected by hair loss during and after menopause, it is something that can be prevented and successfully treated. For true success, it is important to address all contributing factors.
If you are dealing with sad strands, consider getting a full hormone workup – including thyroid function – with your health care practitioner, minimizing inflammation with healthy food choices, balancing stress, getting your necessary vitamins and minerals daily, and avoiding damaging hair products.
Once you’ve addressed these, consider safe and effective plant extracts, like SesZen-Bio and EstroG-100, which can support follicle health while healing your hormonal environment. There is hope, and you can take control of your crown and restore thinning hair during your midlife transition, or at any age. Keep an eye out for these exciting new botanicals, arriving in natural health stores in 2026.
