Experiencing Hair Loss Due to Menopause? Here’s What to Do About It

There’s no doubt that hair changes with age. Those silvery gray strands can be hard to ignore! But if it seems like menopause is changing your hair in other ways, too — like maybe it’s thinning or becoming brittle and dry — you aren’t just imagining it. 

As you enter menopause, your hair can change in several ways. Menopause can lead to hair loss and hair thinning, and it can even change the appearance of your strands.

Keep reading to learn how menopause causes hair loss and what you can do to help regrow thinning hair.

How does menopause affect your hair?

Hair changes during menopause are common. Some research suggests that 2 out of 3 people will experience hair thinning and increased shedding during menopause. But the extent of these changes can differ from person to person. 

Here’s what menopausal hair changes may look like for you:

• Hair thinning: You may notice that your part looks wider or your ponytail feels thinner.

• Increased shedding: You may see more hair than usual in your brush or shower drain or on your pillow.

• Patterned hair loss: Hair thinning that starts near the part and then progresses toward the crown of the head is called female pattern hair loss (FPHL), also known as androgenic alopecia. In one study, more than half of people experienced this type of hair loss after menopause.

• Dryness and brittleness: Your hair may feel drier or have more split ends. Coloring or styling with heat may cause more breakage than before. 

• Texture changes: Sometimes hair strands become thinner and more wiry. Or you may notice your hair feels coarser. 

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Why do you lose hair during menopause?

Estrogen and progesterone levels drop during menopause. This change in hormones can affect every part of your body, including your scalp and hair follicles. 

Let’s take a closer look at how menopause can lead to hair changes. 

Decreased estrogen

Estrogen helps keep your hair in its growth phase for longer. It may also have a role in increasing hair thickness and protecting against hair loss. So, when levels drop in menopause, your hair may grow more slowly, and you may shed more hair than before.

Increased androgen sensitivity

Androgens are hormones that increase growth of body hair, including on your armpits, face, and pubic area. But, on your scalp, androgens tend to cause hair loss.

Before menopause, high levels of estrogen block this effect of androgens. But during menopause, there’s a much bigger drop in the level of estrogen compared to androgens. This relative increase in androgens can impact your hair and lead to more hair loss than hair growth. This shift in the balance of hormones can also increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes after menopause.

Hair follicle changes

Hair follicles on your scalp can shrink with age. This change in size of hair follicles causes hair to become thinner and weaker. It can even impact hair color. And changes in the shape of your hair follicles can cause changes in hair texture.

Reduced blood flow and nutrient supply

Lower estrogen levels reduce blood flow to your hair follicles. This limits the delivery of oxygen and nutrients essential for hair growth. Over time, this can result in weaker strands of hair and a slower growth cycle.

Less natural oil

During menopause, glands on the scalp may start to produce less sebum, the natural oil that helps to moisturize your scalp and hair. Less sebum means a drier hair texture. 

Metabolic changes

Metabolism (how your body uses nutrients for energy) becomes less efficient as you age. Menopause-related hormone changes impact metabolism. For your hair, this can mean a reduced supply of energy and nutrients for your hair follicles. 

Can you treat menopausal hair loss?

Yes, there are many treatment options to help with menopausal hair loss and other hair changes, like FPHL. Some treatments target hair regrowth, and some treat other hair health concerns, like dryness and thinning. 

Minoxidil (Rogaine)

Topical minoxidil (Rogaine) is an over-the-counter, FDA-approved treatment for FPHL. It may also be helpful for other types of hair loss in menopause. It comes as a solution or foam that’s applied directly to your scalp to encourage your hair follicles to grow hair. 

Does it work?

• Minoxidil works best for androgenic alopecia, but it isn’t effective for everyone. 

• Use consistently for 2 to 4 months to see results. You have to keep using it to see continued hair regrowth. 

• Minoxidil may be irritating to your scalp. It can also alter the color and texture of your hair in the areas treated.

Oral medications

Prescription medications, like spironolactone and finasteride, may help slow hair thinning by blocking androgens. 

Do they work?

• One study found that oral finasteride improved hair density and thickness better than topical minoxidil or finasteride in postmenopausal women with FPHL.

• Research suggests that spironolactone can reduce hair loss and improve hair density in those with FPHL.

Hair vitamins/supplements

You may wonder, “Which supplements help with menopausal hair loss?” Though vitamin and mineral deficiencies can contribute to hair loss, no supplements are FDA-approved specifically for menopause-related hair loss or thinning. 

Do they work?

• Some research suggests vitamin C and omega-3 may support hair health, especially in cases of low estrogen (like low estrogen caused by certain cancer treatments). 

• A small randomized controlled trial found that French maritime pine bark extract increased hair density by 30% in postmenopausal FPHL, compared to 13% in the placebo group.

• Another study suggests that neutraceutical hair supplements may improve hair growth and quality after 6 months.

Shampoo

Though most shampoos won’t regrow hair, some improve scalp health and add volume. The best shampoo for hair thinning depends on your specific hair needs. In the case of hormone-related hair loss, ketoconazole (Nizoral) may help block the action of testosterone in the hair follicles. 

Do they work?

• Volumizing shampoos are lightweight and may temporarily help your hair appear thicker.

• Moisturizing shampoos may help improve the moisture in your scalp and hair.

• Research suggests that ketoconazole shampoo increases hair thickness and reduces hair loss in men with male pattern hair loss. It may also be used off-label to help treat menopausal hair loss.

Scalp treatments

Scalp treatments can improve scalp health. But more research is needed to understand how scalp treatments may help treat menopausal hair loss. These options may be best when used alongside other hair-loss treatments. 

Scalp treatments currently being studied include:

• At-home laser treatments: Special combs or helmets with low-level laser light may help to stimulate hair growth. 

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: Platelets from your own blood can be injected into your scalp. Platelets are full of growth factors that may help stimulate hair growth. 

• Stem cell treatment: Like PRP, stem cells are used to encourage scalp hair growth. 

• Hair transplants: With this treatment, hair from a denser part of your scalp is transplanted into thinner areas.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), also called “menopausal hormone therapy” or “hormone therapy,” can be helpful for many menopause symptoms. But research on its effects for menopausal hair loss is limited.

Does it work?

• One small study looked at the impact of HRT on hair changes in 11 postmenopausal women. It found that HRT helped to decrease hair thinning in the frontal hairline and improve plucking strength.

Does hair loss from menopause get better?

As you age, your hair continues to age. This means that your hair may continue to change after menopause. Hair aging causes hair follicle stem cells to become less active, slowing the hair growth cycle. And, over time, oxidative stress and hair follicle structure changes can further lead to graying, weakness, and thinning.

How can you prevent hair loss in menopause?

Early treatment for menopause-related hair loss may help minimize changes and prevent long-term damage. Experts recommend speaking with a dermatologist as soon as you notice hair changes. Early evaluation can determine whether menopause or another treatable cause is behind it. Things like your genetics, nutrition, stress levels, and even medications can impact your hair. 

You can’t change your genes, but you can still help your hair. Here are things to try:

• Talk to your dermatologist as soon as possible. Don’t delay discussing hair concerns with your dermatologist. Early treatment can limit hair changes.

• Counteract chronic stress. Meditation, exercise, and quality sleep can help your body counteract the hair-thinning effects of stress.

• Focus on evidence-based nutrition for your hair. Nutrients — like proteins, healthy fats, and low-glycemic carbohydrates — are important for your hair health after menopause. So are vitamins and minerals, like zinc, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C.

• Talk to your prescriber. Some prescription medications can cause hair loss. So, review your medications with a healthcare professional. 

• Use gentle hair-care practices. Try to limit harsh hair-care practices, like heat styling, coloring, and using hair-damaging products. Also, protect your hair (and scalp) from the sun. 

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Written by:

Ashley Rawlins, PT, DPT

With over a decade of experience as a physical therapist, Ashley has established herself as a specialist in pelvic health. Her diverse career spans clinical practice, academia, and health content creation.

Edited by:

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH

Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH, is a medical editor at GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified pediatrician with more than a decade of experience in academic medicine.

Reviewed by:

Christine Giordano, MD

Christine Giordano, MD, is board-certified in general internal medicine. She received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School and completed residency at Thomas Jefferson University.

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