thinning hair & hormone health

Hormone HealthHair Health
Written By Caitlin Sullivan

Episode 29 of the Spring to Life podcast is a special one because I interviewed Dr. Danielle Desroche. She is seriously an expert when it comes to women’s health.

Dr. Danielle Desroche is a licensed naturopathic doctor helping women heal the root cause of their PCOS, so they can have regular periods and get pregnant naturally. She is passionate about educating women on their hormones and fertility and providing them long term solutions so they can feel their best as they transition into motherhood.

Using natural therapies including nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle changes, she has helped hundreds of women achieve regular menstrual cycles, pain-free periods, and healthy pregnancies. Dr. Danielle is the creator of the PCOS Pregnancy Protocol, a 6-week program that walks you through her proven framework to getting pregnant with PCOS. She is also the host of the Heal Your Hormones with Dr. Danielle Podcast, where she continues to provide education on women's health and hormones.

in addition to having a passion for women’s health and fertility, we have similar backgrounds in ballet. In fact, that’s how we first met back in 2009 dancing as trainees with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. The stress we put on our bodies, mentally and physically, during that time left us both with thin, fragile hair. Paired with frequent bleaching and coloring, neither of us succeeded in growing our hair past our shoulders for a long time!

Today my hair is growing down to my mid-back. It has literally never in my life been this long before. I’m definitely due for a trim to clean up my ends, but it continues to grow longer, stronger, and fuller than ever. 

When I started my hormone health journey, you could say I had bigger fish to fry. What my hair looked like was the least of my concerns compared to the brain fog, cystic acne, fatigue, mood swings, and migraines I was dealing with.

What I learned, however, was that prioritizing my hormone health led to healthier hair. Over the past several years my hair has gradually become more lustrous and strong. in the last nine months my hair has grown at super-speed thanks to dr. Danielle’s recommendation of wellbel.

dr. Danielle and I, November 2022- I was just beginning to see results from wellbel

You can listen to the full episode to hear Dr. Danielle discuss:

  • The underlying hormonal imbalances causing hair loss and / or hirsutism

  • Other symptoms that may accompany these imbalances

  • How nutrition affects hair health
    Lifestyle factors that affect hair health

  • How to eat to support hair health

  • The superior ingredients in Wellbel

  • Why it works

  • Who its good for

Keep reading to get the sparknotes on how your hormone health and hair health are connected!

What hormonal imbalances can cause thinning hair or excess hair growth, also known as hirsutism?

  • Thyroid dysfunction

    • Your thyroid gland produces hormones that regulate your metabolism, growth, and development. Some conditions to look out for include: 

      • Hypothyroidism 

      • Hashimoto’s disease

    • Because of abnormal thyroid function, both conditions disrupt the natural hair regrowth cycle, so it will shed and not grow back

  • Androgen imbalances

    • Excess androgen hormones, like testosterone, can cause a combination of thinning hair at the scalp and excess hair growth on the face and chest.

      • Commonly seen in PCOS

    • Low testosterone can also cause hair loss. Other signs of low testosterone include:

      • Low libido

      • Low energy / fatigue

      • Infertility 

      • Irregular cycles

      • Depression / anxiety

  • Cortisol imbalance

    • High cortisol, or stress hormone, disrupts follicle health at the scalp, leading to hair loss. Constant, unmanaged stress can cause cortisol imbalances. Other signs of high cortisol are:

      • Weight gain, especially in the face and mid-section

      • High blood pressure

      • Muscle fatigue

      • Mood swings

How can nutrition negatively impact hair health?

  • Under-eating or calorie restriction deprives the body of important nutrients necessary for healthy hair growth. Over time, under-eating and calorie restriction, whether intentional or not, put excess stress on the body, perpetuating hormonal imbalances of the thyroid, androgens, and cortisol.

  • Eating too little protein equates to poor hair health. Hair follicles are made primarily of protein. Not eating enough protein leads to weak hair follicles.

  • Iron deficiency indicates that not enough oxygen is being transported to hair follicles, leading to shedding and thinning. Other signs of iron deficiency include:

    • Long, heavy periods

    • Eating a plant-based diet

How can we eat to support hair health?

  • Prioritize protein intake throughout the day

    • Each meal should contain 20-30 grams of protein

    • Each snack should contain 10-15 grams of protein

  • Include iron-rich foods in your diet

    • Animal proteins

    • Dark, leafy greens

    • Pumpkin seeds

    • Beans

    • Lentils

      • Note, when consuming plant-based sources of iron, always pair with a vitamin C-rich food to increase absorption. Some examples include:

        • Citrus

        • Tomatoes

        • Potatoes

        • Strawberries

        • Bell peppers

        • Broccoli

        • Brussel sprouts

        • Kiwi

Why does Wellbel work so well when it comes to supporting healthy hair growth?

  • It contains a unique blend of vitamins, nutrients, and herbs

    • Betaine-HCL boosts low stomach acid which, in turn, improves nutrient absorption

    • Saw palmetto and nettles promote androgen balance

    • A low dose of Biotin (500 micrograms) supports healthy hair growth without inflaming skin and causing breakouts

    • Methylated B12 and folate are easier to absorb and crucial for hair health

We love Wellbel so much that we’re giving away a 1-month supply to two lucky winners! Here’s how to enter:

If you’d rather not take your chances because you want to get your hands on some Wellbel ASAP, then use my code CAITLIN10 to save 10% on your first order or CAITLINSUB10 for 10% off your first subscription order. It takes about three months to see results, taking it consistently. That’s why the quarterly subscription really is the best move! Can’t wait to see your before and after pics!



Caitlin Sullivan
Previous

Activewear Detox
Next

Your Gut Health on the Pill