Why is your hair suddenly thinning in your 40s? Is it perimenopause, menopause, low iron, stress, or something else entirely? And can you actually regrow the hair you've lost?

If your ponytail feels thinner, your parting is getting wider, or you're noticing more hair in the shower, this episode of Why Pause? Let's Play is for you.

Host Gayu Lewis is joined by Dr. Fariha Anwar, an aesthetic physician with a background in clinical dermatology, to uncover the real causes of hair loss in women, why hair thinning becomes more common during midlife, and which medical treatments are actually worth considering.

From hormonal hair loss and female-pattern hair thinning to alopecia, blood tests, minoxidil, PRP (platelet-rich plasma), GFC (growth factor concentrate) and exosome therapy, we're separating clinical evidence from expensive marketing promises.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why women experience hair loss during perimenopause and menopause — and why hormones aren't always the culprit.
• The blood tests that may help investigate female hair loss, including ferritin, iron levels and thyroid function.
• Why hair can keep falling out even when your blood results appear normal.
• Hair shedding after rapid weight loss, dieting and GLP-1 medications.
• The difference between temporary hair shedding, female-pattern hair loss and alopecia.
• Whether minoxidil really works and what happens when you stop using it.
• PRP vs GFC vs exosomes: how these hair restoration treatments differ and what the scientific evidence supports.
• Whether damaged hair follicles can recover and when hair loss may become permanent.
• How to recognise when it's time to seek professional help.
• How to avoid wasting money on ineffective hair-growth treatments, supplements and clinic packages.

Can menopause hair loss be reversed? Is PRP worth the money? Are exosomes the future of hair regrowth, or is the science still catching up?

This conversation tackles the questions women are asking about hair loss after 40, with a clinical perspective on diagnosis, treatment options and realistic expectations.

Whether you're experiencing early hair thinning, excessive shedding, a widening hair part or long-term hair loss, understanding the cause is the first step towards choosing the right treatment.

About our guest

Dr. Fariha Anwar is an aesthetic physician with postgraduate training in clinical dermatology and experience in aesthetic and regenerative treatments.

Connect with Gayu Lewis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayulewisofficial/

Website: https://gayulewis.com

Connect with Dr. Fariha Anwar

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_farihaanwar/

Enjoyed this conversation? Follow Why Pause? Let's Play on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a woman who needs answers about her hair health.

Because midlife isn't the time to stop asking questions, exploring solutions or taking charge of your health.

Why Pause? Let's Play.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.

Connect with Gayu lewis:

• Instagram: gayulewisofficial
• LinkedIn: gayulewis
• Website: www.gayulewis.com

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