Opt to Thrive…for Midlife Women
Opt to Thrive is a health and wellness podcast designed to support, educate, inspire, empower and motivate midlife women to live their healthiest, happiest most fulfilled lives. Motivated by her own life experiences and challenging midlife transition, Dr Corina Sims created Opt to Thrive.
Dr Sims is a rural GP Obstetrician and Menopause Specialist who has a passion for connecting with and empowering other women to be the best version of themselves. Disappointed with the vast amount of contradictory information targeted at menopausal women, Dr Sims also recognised the gap in medicine that has been identified around the globe in managing women going through it. Dr Dims strives to bring evidence based information to those who are searching for answers.
Listen in every week where on one week you’ll find either a short and sweet episode designed to uplift, inspire and give helpful tips to manage your mind and a longer episode the next created to educate and inform.
Opt to Thrive…for Midlife Women
Hair Loss & Menopause: Why It Happens and What You Can Do About It
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Hair loss affects nearly half of women at some point in their lives — and for many of us, it can feel deeply distressing.
In this episode of Opt to Thrive, I’m unpacking hair loss in women — especially during midlife and the menopausal transition — and explaining what’s really going on beneath the surface.
Because while menopause can absolutely play a role, hair loss is not always “just hormones.” Sometimes it can be a sign that something else is happening in your body — from thyroid dysfunction and iron deficiency to medication effects or other underlying health conditions.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why hair loss can feel so emotionally impactful (and why that matters)
• The red flags that mean you should see your GP
• The two most common causes of hair loss in midlife women:
– Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL)
– Telogen Effluvium
• How stress, illness, dieting, surgery and psychological distress can trigger shedding
• What’s happening in the hair growth cycle
• How menopause and declining oestrogen affect hair follicles
• Whether menopause hormone therapy (MHT) helps
• The difference between micronised progesterone and synthetic progestins
• Practical treatment options including minoxidil and when specialist input may be needed
We also talk about how to recognise when shedding is temporary — and when it may be progressive — and why getting the diagnosis right matters.
Hair loss is not “vain” or trivial. Research shows it can significantly affect confidence, relationships, and even career performance. That’s exactly why it deserves thoughtful, evidence-based discussion.
If you’ve noticed thinning, increased shedding, or changes in your hair during midlife, this episode will help you understand what might be happening — and what you can do about it.
As always, if something in this episode resonates with you or raises concerns, please speak with your GP.
And if there’s a topic you’d love me to cover next, send me a message — I love hearing from you 💛
Let’s Stay Connected:
- Register your interest for the Wellbeing program Here
- Get your free Midlife Health & Body Reset Guide: Here
- Find out more about the Midlife Reset Program: Here
- Join the Opt to Thrive mailing list: Here
- Follow Dr. Corina on Instagram: @drcorinasimsopttothrive
- Connect on Facebook: Opt to Thrive (Dr Corina Sims)
- Opt to Thrive official website
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