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

Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video with your friends.
MENOPAUSE ...WHY PAUSE? LET'S PLAY!!!

One gynaecologist recommends HRT. Another says you don't need it. One wants hormone tests. Another says they're unnecessary. So who do you believe?

In this special World Menopause Day episode of Why Pause? Let's Play, Gayu Lewis sits down with Dr. Sadiya Hussain, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai, and a British Menopause Society accredited specialist and trainer, to cut through the confusion surrounding perimenopause, menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

If you're a woman in your late 30s, 40s or 50s experiencing unexplained weight gain, brain fog, anxiety, mood swings, irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats or disrupted sleep, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why different gynaecologists give conflicting advice about menopause and HRT.
• Perimenopause vs menopause: how do you know which stage you're in?
• Can you have perimenopause symptoms even when your hormone blood tests are normal?
• When should women consider hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
• HRT benefits, side effects, breast cancer risks and common misconceptions.
• Can you start HRT while you're still having regular periods?
• What women should know about testosterone, vaginal estrogen and sexual health during menopause.
• Is there an ideal age to start HRT, and how long can you safely continue?
• What questions should every woman ask her gynaecologist before making treatment decisions?

From early perimenopause symptoms and menopause diagnosis to evidence-based menopause treatment, Dr. Sadiya shares medical insights to help women navigate midlife hormonal changes with greater clarity and confidence.

Whether you're exploring HRT for the first time, questioning a previous diagnosis or simply trying to understand what's happening to your body after 40, this episode will help you ask better questions and make more informed decisions with your healthcare provider.

Because menopause awareness isn't just about recognising symptoms. It's about having access to the right information and the right care.

🎙️ About the Guest

Dr. Sadiya Hussain is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Mediclinic City Hospital, Dubai, with 15 years of clinical experience and specialist training in menopause care. She is an accredited specialist and trainer with the British Menopause Society.

🎧 About the Podcast

Why Pause? Let's Play with Gayu Lewis explores women's wellness, midlife health, menopause, longevity, lifestyle and the conversations that help women live healthier, fuller lives.

If this conversation resonates with you, follow the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with a woman who needs answers.

Connect with Gayu Lewis on Instagram: @GayuLewisOfficial

This episode is for educational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about your symptoms and treatment options.

World Menopause Day Special | October 18, 2026

Connect with Gayu lewis:

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

Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video with your friends.
MENOPAUSE ...WHY PAUSE? LET'S PLAY!!!

Bleeding gums, dry mouth, sensitive teeth or receding gums in your 40s? You might not immediately think perimenopause or menopause — but your changing hormones could be playing a role.

We hear plenty about hot flashes, brain fog, sleep and weight changes during menopause. But what about what’s happening inside your mouth?

In this episode of WHY PAUSE? LET’S PLAY Podcast by Gayu Lewis, Gayu sits down with Dubai-based modern aesthetic dentist Dr. Sana Nasser to uncover the often-overlooked connection between hormonal changes and oral health in midlife.

They talk about why declining estrogen can affect your gums, saliva, teeth and bone health; why dry mouth is more than just an annoyance; what bleeding or receding gums could be telling you; and whether menopause can increase your risk of tooth sensitivity, decay and gum disease.

Plus, Dr. Sana shares what women over 40 should be doing differently when it comes to dental check-ups and preventive care — and the signs you shouldn’t ignore.

If you’ve noticed your mouth or teeth changing during perimenopause or menopause and wondered “Is this hormonal too?”, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

WHY PAUSE? LET’S PLAY Podcast by Gayu Lewis brings you honest, practical conversations about perimenopause, menopause, midlife health and the things women should have been told much sooner.

Follow the podcast and share this episode with a woman who needs to hear it.

#Perimenopause #Menopause #OralHealth #WomensHealth #MidlifeHealth

Connect with Gayu lewis:

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

Don’t forget to like, comment, and share this video with your friends.
MENOPAUSE ...WHY PAUSE? LET'S PLAY!!!