Understanding The Link Between Menopause and Hair Loss

Menopause is a natural stage of life that every woman experiences, usually between the ages of 45 and 55. While hot flushes and night sweats are some of the most commonly recognised symptoms, menopause can also have an impact on hair health. Many women notice changes in hair texture, thickness and growth patterns during this time, with hair loss being a particular concern.

In this article, we will explore the connection between menopause and hair loss, why it happens, the different contributing factors, and what can be done to help manage it. We will also look at treatment, lifestyle changes, and when to seek professional advice.

Key Takeaways

Here are the five biggest takeaways from this article about the link between menopause and hair loss:

• Menopause can trigger hair loss due to hormonal changes, ageing, stress and health factors.

• A drop in oestrogen and progesterone leads to increased androgen activity, which can shrink hair follicles.

• Nutrition, lifestyle choices and targeted vitamins can support hair health during menopause.

• Gentle hair care, dietary adjustments and specialist products may help manage hair thinning.

• In some cases, professional advice or medical treatment may be needed to address menopausal hair loss.

Does Menopause Cause Hair Loss?

Menopause itself does not directly cause hair loss, but the hormonal and physical changes that occur during this stage often contribute to it. Many women report thinning hair, increased shedding and reduced hair volume during perimenopause and post-menopause. The decline in oestrogen and progesterone, which normally support hair growth, plays a significant role in this process [1].

Why Hair Loss Happens in Women During Menopause

Hormonal imbalance

During menopause, oestrogen and progesterone levels decrease. These hormones typically promote faster hair growth and help it stay in the growth phase. Their reduction means hair spends more time in the shedding phase, leading to thinner strands and increased hair loss [2].

Androgen activity

With a reduction in female hormones, male hormones (androgens) such as testosterone become more dominant. This can cause hair follicles to shrink, producing finer hairs or none at all. Androgen-related hair loss is often more noticeable around the crown and hairline [3] [4].

Stress

The menopausal transition can be a stressful time, both physically and emotionally. Stress hormones like cortisol may disrupt the hair growth cycle, making hair more prone to shedding. Post-menopausal women have been shown to experience increased frequency of stress-related hair loss [5].

Ageing

As women age, hair follicles naturally become smaller and less efficient at producing new hair. Ageing also affects the scalp’s ability to support thick and healthy strands, making hair more fragile and prone to breakage [6].

Health factors

Other health conditions can worsen menopausal hair loss. Iron deficiency, thyroid disorders and autoimmune conditions can all contribute to thinning hair. Since women are already at higher risk of iron deficiency, this can overlap with menopause-related shedding [7].

Menopausal Hair Loss Remedies

Lifestyle and Hair Care

Simple changes in daily routines can help reduce the effects of hair loss:

• Use gentle shampoos and avoid products with harsh chemicals.

• Limit the use of straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers to reduce breakage.

• Exercise regularly and practise relaxation techniques such as mindfulness to lower stress.

• Eat a balanced diet with plenty of protein, iron and omega-3 fatty acids, which support strong hair growth [8] [9].

Vitamins for Hair Loss in Menopause

Certain vitamins and minerals can help maintain hair health. Here is a handy table that explains how.

Best Products for Menopausal Hair Loss

Alongside vitamins and lifestyle changes, specific hair care products may help:

• Thickening shampoos and conditioners to give the appearance of fuller hair.

• Leave-in treatments that improve strength and reduce breakage.

• Serums with active ingredients designed to stimulate hair follicles and encourage growth.

HRT and Hair Loss During Menopause

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) can influence hair health in different ways. For some women, HRT helps reduce hair thinning by restoring oestrogen levels. For others, certain forms of HRT may trigger or worsen hair loss, depending on the balance of hormones used. The response to HRT is highly individual, so it is important to discuss the potential benefits and risks with a healthcare professional before starting treatment.

When to Seek Professional Help

While mild hair thinning can often be managed at home, professional help may be needed if:

• You notice sudden or severe hair loss.

• You develop bald patches.

• Hair loss is accompanied by unexplained weight loss or fatigue.

In these cases, it is important to seek medical advice, as these symptoms could point to an underlying health condition.

Final Thoughts

Menopause can bring many changes, and hair loss can feel particularly distressing. The combination of hormonal imbalance, ageing, stress and health factors often contributes to thinning hair at this stage of life. However, with the right approach, including gentle hair care, dietary support, vitamins and in some cases medical treatment, many women can successfully manage these changes. Getting advice when hair loss is sudden or severe ensures that any underlying issues are properly addressed.

Sources

[1] What Are The 53 Symptoms Of Menopause? - UK Meds

[2] Luteinizing Hormone Induces Murine Hair Loss through Transient Receptor Potential Canonical Channel-Mediated Cell Aging Responses: Implications for Female Pattern Hair Loss Pathogenesis - ScienceDirect

[3] The Menopausal Transition: Is the Hair Follicle “Going through Menopause”? - PMC

[4] HRT & Hair Loss: Can It Help? | Menopause Care

[5] Menopause and hair loss in women: Exploring the hormonal transition - ScienceDirect

[6] Hair loss: are perimenopause and menopause to blame? - Dr Louise Newson

[7] Iron deficiency in female pattern hair loss, chronic telogen effluvium, and control groups - ScienceDirect

[8] Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use - PMC

[9] What are the best foods for hair growth and strength? - BBC

[10] A Review of the Use of Biotin for Hair Loss - PMC

[11] Vitamin D Deficiency & Hair Loss: Case Report, Diagnosis & Treatment - ISHRS

[12] The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Hair Loss: A Review - PMC

[13] Iron Plays a Certain Role in Patterned Hair Loss - PMC

[14] Assessing the relationship between dietary factors and hair health: A systematic review - Nuno Gomes, Nuno Silva, Beatriz Teixeira, 2025 - Sage

[15] Vitamins, minerals, and hair loss: Is there a connection? - Harvard Health

[16] Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use - PMC