Menopause and Hair Loss

Hair loss during menopause can be distressing but there are ways to minimize this.

It is generally agreed that over 50 per cent of women going through the hormone fluctuations associated with menopause will experience significant hair loss.

This is caused by a drop in estrogen levels in postmenopausal women and will lead to the hair being placed in a prolonged resting phase. This phase is more important to women who have inherited female genetic hair loss.

It is unfortunate that doctors still do not know or understand the mechanisms by which the withdrawal of estrogen causes hair loss in women, but know that it occurs. Hair loss is only one of the changes to a woman’s body which is due to the loss of estrogen support.

Generally the changes in hair growth during menopause take the form of hair becoming thin, sparse and grey. There are however several things you can do to maintain the health and vitality of your hair at this time:

• Trim hair to remove split ends.
• Use color treatments that give a fullness effect.
• Use volumizing shampoos to add extra body to thin hair.
• Wash hair in warm rather than hot water.
• Restrict blow-drying to a minimum.
• Use deep conditioners regularly to add strength and prevent splitting.
• Still to a nutritious healthy diet and supplement with vitamins and minerals if necessary.
• Drink plenty of water, preferably at least 2 liters per day.
• Minoxidil has been shown to help some women restore lost hair by at least 10% but this will not be the case for everyone. You can find out more in our Minoxidil Factfinder.