Menopausal Hair Loss And What You Can Do About It

Menopausal hair loss, while sometimes unavoidable, doesn’t have to get you down. Combat some of the contributing factors with some simple self-care and gentle styling tips, and you’ll be back on the road to feeling your most confident self in no time.

YOUR HAIR IN MENOPAUSE: KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Menopause is a natural life stage with many changes – sometimes including changes to and loss of hair.
• As your hormone levels fluctuate during perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause, so does your hair’s growth cycle, condition, strength, look and feel.
• You may notice thinning, hair loss, slow regrowth, brittle hair, a dry or greasy scalp, and changes to your hair’s texture, volume, and even colour.
• Other factors can contribute to menopausal hair changes, including genetics, stress, diet, and lifestyle choices.
• There are many options to treat and alleviate hormonal hair loss – it’s important to find what works for you.
• Wherever you are on your menopausal hair journey, don’t give up. Be kind to your hair and take back your confidence.

WHAT IS MENOPAUSE? 

Menopause is a natural and unavoidable stage of life for anyone with a uterus. It’s part of the ageing process and signals the end of your reproductive years. Menopause usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 but can happen earlier in some cases – often due to medical reasons such as cancer treatment or genetic hormonal imbalances.

When your periods begin to become irregular – eventually stopping altogether – you’ll experience a fall in oestrogen production, which can produce some often uncomfortable symptoms, both for the mind and body.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Mood swings
• Hot flushes
• Headaches and/or migraines
• Trouble sleeping
• Anxiety
• Increased facial hair growth
• Changes to the skin
• Aches and pains
• Night sweats
• Changes in sex drive

While you’re adjusting to this natural time of change, tackling hormonal hair loss might be one way to give you a much-needed mood and confidence boost during this challenging time.

UNDERSTANDING HORMONE CHANGES IN MENOPAUSE 

Menopause isn’t just a one-off event, it’s a long journey along the hormone highway. There are three stages to be aware of:

Perimenopause

Perimenopause literally means ‘around menopause’, and refers to a stage of around 4-8 years in which hormonal fluctuations begin, triggering a range of symptoms. Perimenopause is also called the menopausal transition and is when periods start to become irregular.

“The perimenopause has been known to cause hair thinning and loss. This is due to the drop in oestrogen that slows down our hair’s growth phase. For some women, perimenopause can begin as early as our 30’s, but more often than not, it starts between the ages of 40 and 44.” 

Marie Nieuwoudt, Group Education Manager at CLOUD NINE

Menopause

After perimenopause comes menopause. This 7-14-year period marks the end of a woman’s period and a significant drop in hormones. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, but it can happen earlier due to genetic or medical reasons.

Post-menopause

In post-menopause, a woman’s periods have stopped for longer than 12 consecutive months. However, symptoms of menopause can sometimes continue or evolve during this time as hormone levels stabilise. This can take approximately 4-5 years, during which time, you may still experience some noticeable changes to your mind, body, and hair.

“I have seen some of my clients’ hair grow thicker and more luxurious after the rollercoaster of menopause is over – usually 18 months to two years after menopause. For people who have always had naturally fine hair, this can be just as surprising as the typical thinning we see in menopause.” 

Marie Nieuwoudt, Group Education Manager at CLOUD NINE

Learn more about how hormone fluctuations can lead to hair shedding and thinning in our guide to hormonal hair loss.

HOW YOUR HAIR AND SCALP CHANGE DURING THE MENOPAUSE

It’s believed that hair changes in and around menopause are due to a combination of hormonal fluctuations, genetic factors, and the slowing down of cell production with age. You may notice:

Thinning and hair loss 

Many women in their 40s and 50s experience hair thinning and increased hair fall. A study from 2022 of 200 women aged 50 to 65 found that the prevalence of female pattern hair loss was 52.2%.

This menopause-related thinning commonly occurs on the front, sides, and top of the head, and can look like a widening parting, receding hairline, or general all-over thinning of the hair.

During perimenopause, oestrogen levels begin to fall, reducing to their lowest level when menopause arrives. This drop in oestrogen means hair is in its growth phase for a shorter amount of time, so may not grow as fast or as much as it used to. It also results in higher testosterone levels in the body, which can shrink the hair follicles, resulting in finer hairs being produced.

Hair shedding can also be linked with different seasons. Find out more in our guide to seasonal hair loss.

Dry, greasy and brittle hair

Oestrogen levels also impact the natural oils your scalp produces. This sebum is responsible for keeping your hair smooth and lustrous, so a reduction in production can result in changes to hair texture, moisture and appearance, leaving it dull, brittle and prone to breakage.

This doesn’t only affect the hair – skin can become dry and more easily irritated too, including that on the scalp, resulting in an increased chance of dandruff. 

In contrast, some women experience greasy hair during menopause. This is a reaction to dehydration which sees the scalp produce excessive sebum to protect hair in its new, brittle state.

Changes in texture and volume 

As a fall in oestrogen shortens the growth cycle of hair, many women experience excessive hair shedding during menopause, the effects of which are made more noticeable by the regrowth of progressively finer and shorter hairs.

Menopause may also speed up the natural greying process, as the blood vessels responsible for supplying hair roots with nutrients – including melanin – start to diminish. Grey hair usually feels more wiry and can result in a complete change in hair texture. Many women find that their previously straight or wavy hair now has more texture or even curl to it. 

These volume and texture changes can also be enhanced by the changing shape and size of the follicle and increased or decreased sebum production.

OTHER FACTORS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO MENOPAUSAL HAIR LOSS

Hair loss is not just about hormones. It can occur at any age and be due to a range of factors. 

When it comes to menopause specifically, these factors can cross over, resulting in higher chances of hair loss or damage in some cases.

Genetics

Just like male pattern baldness, menopausal hair loss is determined by genetic factors as well as hormonal changes. 

Stress

High stress levels are known to contribute to hormonal imbalances, worsening menopausal hair loss. 

Poor diet

As hair is a non-essential tissue, it’s low down on your body’s priority list when it comes to receiving all the vitamins and nutrients it needs to thrive. If your diet is poor, your hair will be one of the first areas to suffer from reduced growth and condition. Read about how nutrition can impact hair loss.

Hairstyle choices

Tight or high-manipulation hairstyles and accessories that pull on the scalp can cause added stress to the roots, worsening hair fall and breakage. Heat styling at the wrong temperature for your hair type can also further damage brittle and dry menopausal hair. Head to the Temperature Calculator to find out the perfect heat setting for your hair.

BE KIND TO YOUR HAIR, BE KIND TO YOURSELF

When it comes to menopause haircare, there are no hard and fast rules. Everyone’s hair, mind, and body responds differently to the hormonal changes characteristic of this life stage – so it’s important to listen and respond to your unique needs.

The changes to our hair, skin and nails experienced throughout perimenopause, menopause and post-menopause can have a devasting effect on self-esteem and ultimately become a confidence killer. Many women say that their hair becomes a stranger to them during this time. The products, tools, and skills you once used may not seem to work the same as they used to and you have to adapt. That’s why it’s so important to try a bit of gentle trial and error with new techniques to achieve the results you’re looking for on your new hair, skin and nails.

If you follow one guideline alone, make it this: Be kind to your hair.

“As a hairdresser, I see the resulting stress of rough treatment on hair all the time. Just remember that your hair is riding the hormone highway with you – it deserves all the care and kindness you do as you weather the journey that is ageing. This might mean evolving your routine with its new and developing needs, such as turning down the heat, switching up your products, and seeing your hairdresser more often. I always recommend CLOUD NINE products, not only for their fantastic quality but because they’re genuinely better for your hair health. With Variable Temperature Control and cutting-edge Revive Mode™ technology, you get gorgeous results without the heat damage, giving you more confidence through menopause.” 

Marie Nieuwoudt, Group Education Manager at CLOUD NINE

MENOPAUSAL HAIR LOSS: FAQS 

Can hair loss during menopause be reversed? 

For many women, the excessive hair shedding experienced during perimenopause is a temporary phase, not permanent balding. Once your hormones settle back down, your hair growth rate may return to normal. However, changes to the texture and even colour of hair due to hormonal changes can be permanent. 

Treating the hair kindly using the tips in this blog as a guide is a good way to bring your hair out of menopause in the best possible condition. 

Is HRT good for hair loss? 

HRT, or hormone replacement therapy can be a good solution for hormonal hair loss. Not all hair loss is caused by hormones, like that experienced during menopause, so it’s important to consult with your doctor and rule out any other possible causes before pursuing this treatment.

Can I use heat on my hair during menopause?

During menopause, reduced oestrogen levels and changes in androgen levels can lead to hair that is prone to breakage and dryness. This heightened fragility makes hair more vulnerable to damage from high-temperature styling tools. Much of the narrative around menopausal hair tells women to stop heat styling, which is exactly what you don’t want to hear when your appearance is changing and your confidence is suffering. 

To maintain your usual heat styling routine without compromising your extra delicate menopausal hair, turn down the heat on your styling tools, use tools with CLOUD NINE’s Revive Mode™ such as the Wide Iron Pro, and prep your hair with plenty of heat protectant like Magical Potion before styling. Lower heat settings reduce the risk of stripping natural oils, which are already diminished during menopause.

Which vitamins can help with hair loss during menopause? 

Your hair can benefit from a range of vitamins, minerals and nutrients throughout your life, but the following are particularly beneficial during menopause:

• Biotin – Helps with the production of keratin, an essential component of hair that provides strength and structure.
• Iron – Helps your body carry oxygen to your cells, including your hair cells, helping to keep them in their growth phase for longer.
• Vitamin D – Helps hair follicles grow and function properly.
• Vitamin C – An essential component in collagen, one of the hair’s vital proteins which is responsible for keeping the hair shiny and strong.
• Zinc – Aids in the division and reproduction of hair cells, promoting the growth of strong new strands of hair.
• Omega-3 fatty acids – Support circulation and help to maintain a healthy hair growth cycle.

At what point should I be concerned about hair loss? 

Everyone experiences different levels of hormonal hair loss during menopause – what’s normal for you may be abnormal for someone else. If your hair loss is bothering you, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with your GP to discuss it. They will be able to rule out any other causes, set your mind at ease and suggest a treatment that works for you.

Discover how to treat menopausal hair loss and thinning in our menopausal haircare guide.