In this solo episode of unPAUSED, Dr. Mary Claire Haver tells the truth about hair loss in women over 40 — a medical condition with real, identifiable causes, not a vanity complaint to be dismissed as stress or aging. She breaks down the biology of the hair growth cycle and the hormonal mechanism driving midlife thinning: as estrogen declines, androgens like DHT take over at the follicle, shrinking it with every cycle. She walks through the five most common causes of hair loss in midlife women — female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium (including the dramatic shedding triggered by illness, surgery, stress, and rapid weight loss on GLP-1 medications), iron deficiency, thyroid dysfunction, and nutrient deficiencies and medications — plus the red flags, like bald patches, a receding hairline, or scalp scarring, that need a dermatologist immediately. Dr. Haver then details exactly how to advocate for yourself: the full lab workup to request (and why ferritin must be checked even when standard blood counts look normal), what to bring to your appointment, and the treatment options that actually work — from correcting deficiencies first, to topical and oral minoxidil, finasteride, spironolactone, PRP, microneedling, and laser therapy. She gives the honest answer on whether hormone therapy treats hair loss, which supplements have real evidence behind them, why biotin is unlikely to help without a true deficiency, and shares her own experience with both female pattern hair loss and a post-illness shed. The episode closes with a practical five-step action plan for documenting your hair loss, requesting the right tests, and getting the workup you deserve — because your hair is a vital sign. Resources: * Download the FREE Midlife Hair Loss Guide https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-midlife-hair-loss-guide * Dr. Mary Claire Haver (Substack) https://drmaryclairehaver.substack.com/ * The ‘Pause Life https://thepauselife.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoqNHlkfDy6-ZvUItyvLEdJ28-COZ4zZJ_GWy3vXk_gKuSJIzU4S * The 'Pause Wellness https://thepausewellness.com/ * Dr. Mary Claire Haver (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/drmaryclaire/ * Dr. Mary Claire Haver (YouTube) https://www.youtube.com/@drmaryclaire * The Pause Life by Dr. Mary Claire Haver (Facebook) https://www.facebook.com/drmaryclaire/?ref=PRODASH_UPSELL_xav_ig_profile_page_web# Books: * "The New Perimenopause," by Dr. Mary Claire Haver https://thepauselife.com/pages/the-new-perimenopause-book * "The New Menopause," by Dr. Mary Claire Haver https://www.amazon.com/New-Menopause-Navigating-Through-Hormonal/dp/B0CKBZ4K1Z For full show notes, please visit: https://bit.ly/unPAUSEDDrMaryClaireHaverSolo Never miss an episode—sign up for The 'Pause Life Newsletter: https://thepauselife.com/pages/newsletter Medical Disclaimer: The information, including opinions and recommendations, on this platform is meant for informational and educational purposes only. Mary Claire Media, LLC, the unPAUSED podcast, and The 'Pause Life are not medical organizations. Medical advice or medical diagnosis cannot be provided to you through the platform, any associated website, or customer portals. Using this platform does not establish a patient-physician relationship.