Hair loss is a common concern for many women, especially as they reach middle age and beyond. During the menopausal transition, declining estrogen levels can trigger noticeable hair thinning and shedding in some women. In this article we talk about Can Hormonal Changes During Menopause Cause Hair Loss in Women?
What Happens During Menopause?
Menopause marks the end of a woman’s reproductive years. It is diagnosed after 12 months without a menstrual period. Perimenopause refers to the transitional stage leading up to a woman’s final period, when hormone levels begin to fluctuate and decline.
During perimenopause and menopause, estrogen and progesterone production from the ovaries slows down dramatically. The body produces less of these key female sex hormones that help regulate the menstrual cycle. Other hormones produced by the ovaries, like testosterone, also start to decline.
These hormonal shifts often begin in a woman’s 40s, but can vary widely. Changes can last for several years as the body adjusts to new hormonal balances. Each woman experiences menopause differently in terms of timing, duration and severity of symptoms.
How Do Hormones Affect Hair Growth?
Hair follicles on the scalp are highly sensitive to hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. These hormones help regulate the growth and shedding cycle of hair strands. As hormone levels rise and fall during the menstrual cycle, a small percentage of hairs enter the “resting” phase before new hairs start growing in.
Estrogen in particular helps keep hair in the growing (anagen) phase longer. Higher estrogen extends the active growth of hair follicles. As estrogen drops during menopause, hair stays in the resting (telogen) phase for shorter periods before shedding. More hairs enter the shedding phase at the same time instead of staggered over time.
The androgens like testosterone also bind to hair follicles and can speed up hair loss if levels are too high. Normally, estrogen balances out testosterone. But as estrogen drops during menopause, testosterone can trigger more hair shedding.
These hormonal effects help explain why some women first notice hair thinning or increased shedding as they approach menopause. However, changing estrogen is not the only culprit. Keep reading to learn other reasons why menopausal women may experience hair loss.
Other Contributing Factors to Hair Loss
While shifting hormone levels definitely play a role, hair loss is complicated and can have many causes working together. Here are other key reasons women might notice hair shedding or thinning hair during menopause:
• Aging: Some hair loss occurs naturally with age, regardless of hormone changes. Studies indicate senescent alopecia affects around half of women over age 50 to some degree.
• Genetics: Family history can make some women predisposed to female pattern hair loss that sets in around menopause when estrogen declines. Those with androgenetic alopecia may see a progressive, gradual thinning over time if it runs in their genes.
• Low iron levels: Iron deficiency anemia is common in menstruating women. Heavy periods can deplete iron over time. During menopause, iron levels may drop even lower without that monthly blood loss, impacting hair health.
• Thyroid problems: Unmanaged hypothyroidism can accelerate hair shedding. Some women develop thyroid problems like Hashimoto’s disease around the time of menopause. This autoimmune disorder damages the thyroid gland over time, disrupting hormonal balance.
• Nutrient deficiencies: Low vitamin D, zinc, protein or other nutrients can compromise hair health and growth cycles. Dieting and restrictive eating patterns may make nutrient deficiencies worse peri-menopause or post-menopause.
• High stress levels: Stress takes a toll on the body and can drain nutrients in ways that starve hair follicles. Studies show perceived stress increases during the menopause transition. Anxiety and insomnia often spike as well. Prolonged strain taxes the hormones that regulate hair growth.
• Medications/medical conditions: Certain prescription drugs, chronic illnesses or surgical treatment may lead to extra hair shedding. Sudden weight loss is another potential cause. COVID-19 has also been linked to telogen effluvium hair loss that can persist for months.
Noticeable Hair Loss Versus Normal Shedding
Seeing extra hairs in your hairbrush or shower drain can certainly be alarming. However, keep in mind that losing about 50-100 strands per day is normal. That amounts to the typical hair loss most women experience periodically due to the hair growth cycle. What matters most is whether overall hair volume seems to be decreasing substantially or thinning in certain areas over time.
If wider patches of scalp become more visible or the part line appears to be widening month after month, then significant hair loss may be happening. Hair typically sheds all over without centralized gaps in healthy follicles. Talk to your doctor or dermatologist if you notice these red flags for excessive loss:
• Sudden increase in shedding lasts over 6 weeks
• Hair feels and looks thinner overall
• Wider part line exposes more scalp
• Noticeable bare patches on the head
• Hair starts falling out in clumps
Determining the root cause is crucial for treating hair loss properly. While menopause could be the trigger, other factors may be at work too. Getting blood tests for nutrient status, thyroid function, hormone levels and other markers can help diagnose conditions that commonly underlie hair loss.
Can Hair Loss in Menopausal Women Be Prevented or Reversed?
If menopause happens to coincide with hair thinning or loss, can anything be done to stop it or spur regrowth? In some cases, yes. Seeing a dermatologist or hair restoration physician provides the greatest chance of intercepting permanent hair loss. The sooner treatment begins, the better.
Certain therapies and lifestyle measures may help counteract hair loss related to perimenopause or menopause:
• Minoxidil (Rogaine): Applying topical minoxidil directly on the scalp can stimulate growth and prevent further miniaturization of hair follicles affected by DHT levels. Oral medications like spironolactone or finasteride may also block DHT.
• Low-level laser light therapy: Photobiomodulation devices help improve hair density and thickness by increasing blood flow and ATP production around follicles.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Injecting concentrated growth factors from a woman’s own blood into the scalp can activate stem cells and strengthen hair anchoring. Multiple microneedling PRP treatments may restore miniaturized follicles.
• Estrogen-based therapies: Systemic estrogen replacement or low-dose topical estrogen creams may help if hair loss coincides with dropping estrogen. However, risks should be carefully weighed against potential benefits.
• Nutrient/vitamin supplements: Targeted oral supplements can provide building blocks to enhance hair quality, growth cycles and thickness. Nutrients like marine collagen peptides, biotin, zinc, iron and vitamin D play vital roles in optimal hair health.
• Stress management: Relaxation practices like meditation, yoga, massage and mindfulness can alleviate anxiety and body-wide strain that exacerbate hair loss. Getting sufficient sleep and exercise also helps balance hormones.
• Balanced diet: Eating more lean proteins, fruits/veggies, whole grains and anti-inflammatory fats gives strands all the nutrients they require to grow strong from within the follicle out. Stay hydrated as well.
While frustrating, female hair loss does not have to feel hopeless or inevitable during menopause. Getting checked out proactively and taking a multifaceted approach gives your hair the best chance of recovering from hormone-related changes over which you have little control. Implementing personalized solutions that nourish the body and follicles from the inside out can help to mitigate hair thinning or loss related to this natural life transition. I sincerely hope you find this “Can Hormonal Changes During Menopause Cause Hair Loss in Women?” article helpful.
