Menopause and Hair loss

Hair grows in cycles rather than continuously. During the menopausal transition, hormonal fluctuations can alter that cycle.

Oestrogen interacts with the hair follicle. As ovarian oestrogen production declines, researchers have observed changes including reduced hair density, reduced hair calibre and changes in hair texture. At the same time, the balance between oestrogen and androgens changes, which may contribute to female-pattern hair loss in women who are genetically susceptible. 

You might notice:

• Your ponytail isn’t as thick as it used to be.
• Your part appears wider.
• More scalp is visible through the crown.
• Individual hairs feel finer.
• Your hair doesn’t seem to grow as long or as quickly.
• You are shedding significantly more hair than usual.
• Your hair texture has changed — sometimes seemingly overnight.
• Hair feels drier, less manageable or more fragile.

One particularly important distinction is hair shedding versus progressive thinning.

A sudden increase in shedding can sometimes be telogen effluvium. This occurs when more follicles than usual enter the resting/shedding phase. A trigger such as illness, major stress, rapid weight loss, nutritional deficiency, thyroid dysfunction or medication changes may have occurred two to four months before the shedding becomes obvious. 

Female-pattern hair loss behaves differently. It commonly becomes noticeable in midlife and can present as a widening part and progressively reduced density over the top of the scalp. Early assessment matters because there are medical treatments available, depending on the diagnosis. 

Important: Don’t automatically assume significant hair loss is menopause. If the change is sudden, substantial, persistent or concerning, have it medically assessed.

It’s not only about the number of hairs on your head.

Oestrogen has important effects on skin. Declining oestrogen after menopause has been associated with changes including dryness, thinning of the skin and altered barrier function. Research into menopause also recognises changes in scalp hair quality and structure. 

This can help explain why someone might tell us:

“I’ve used the same shampoo for years and suddenly my scalp doesn’t like it.”

During perimenopause and menopause you may notice changes such as dryness, itching or sensitivity of the skin/scalp, while the hair itself can become drier, finer or more fragile.

This is where salon care needs to change with your hair.

At Glamour, we can look closely at the condition of the scalp and hair, talk through what has changed and review things such as your cleansing routine, heat styling, colouring, chemical services and home haircare.

The objective isn’t to promise that a shampoo or salon treatment will cure hormonal hair loss, it won’t. It’s to create the healthiest possible environment for the hair you have, reduce avoidable breakage and stress on increasingly delicate fibres, and identify changes that deserve medical investigation.

Start by finding out what type of hair loss you’re experiencing.

Hair loss during midlife isn’t one single condition. Female-pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium, alopecia areata, nutritional deficiencies, thyroid disease and inflammatory or scarring scalp disorders require different approaches. Dermatologists therefore recommend establishing the cause rather than simply assuming that thinning hair is hormonal. 

A GP or dermatologist may decide that medical history, scalp examination and/or blood tests are appropriate. Depending on the individual, investigations can include possible contributors such as iron status, thyroid function and nutritional deficiencies. 

There are also evidence-based medical treatments for some types of hair loss. For example, minoxidil is widely used for female-pattern hair loss, while dermatologists may consider other prescription treatments depending upon the diagnosis and the individual woman.  

If you’re considering menopausal hormone therapy (MHT/HRT), it’s important to discuss this with your GP or a menopause specialist. Hormone therapy may be appropriate for some women experiencing symptoms of perimenopause or menopause, but it isn’t a treatment that should be started specifically for hair loss alone. Your doctor can look at the bigger picture including your symptoms, medical history and individual risks and benefits and help determine what is appropriate for you.

Where Glamour fits into your hair journey

Your hairdresser often knows your hair extremely well. We may be one of the first people to notice that your part has widened, your density has changed, your scalp looks different or your usual colour and styling routine is no longer working for your hair.

We can help you:

understand visible changes → care for the scalp → protect fragile hair → reduce unnecessary breakage → adapt colour and styling → create the appearance of greater density → recommend appropriate professional haircare → and recognise when something should be medically investigated.

Your hair has changed. Your haircare can change with it.

Perimenopause and menopause don’t mean giving up on beautiful hair. They mean understanding that the hair and scalp you have today may need something different from what worked ten years ago.

At Glamour Hair Boutique, our approach is to listen, look carefully at what’s happening and create a hair and scalp plan around the hair you have now, while referring you to your health professional when the changes go beyond what should be managed in a salon.