Menopause Hair & Hormones: Why It Thins, Sheds & Feels Like Nothing Helps

The Hormone Hair Truth in Menopause

Is your hair falling out? Shedding? Finer than normal? Lacking in shine? Dry? Brittle?

If it is, I’m guessing there’s a reason you’re on this blog. You’re most probably suffering and looking for answers. That answer may well be Perimenopause. I know it feels like the answer to everything lately, and not in a good way. This just feels like one more thing stacked on top of it all.

I’m here to help. I’m going to explain the whys.

You’re not alone. I’ve spent the last 20-odd years looking after women suffering with hair loss, thinning hair and every other symptom you can think of. In the last few years I’ve jumped feet first in to menopause myself and have been helping my clients navigate it as well. Today I want to help by talking about hair and hormones;

• Common menopause-related hair symptoms

• The hormone breakdown; what’s really going on inside

• The science behind the shedding

• And most importantly; real talk, practical solutions you can start today.

The Menopause Hair Symptoms No One Warned Us About

• Thinning around temples and parting

• Overall shedding (especially in the shower or on the pillow)

• Hair that feels “dead,” dry, brittle, or just not like your hair

• Lacking in shine

• Slower growth

• Hair becoming finer or flatter, lacking in body

• Frizz, scalp sensitivity or itchiness

• Hair that doesn’t feel like you anymore

I know it seems like a long list but menopause really does affect our hair and hormones play a massive role in it all.

The Hormones Behind It All

So, who’s to blame?

Well... they all are really. Every one of them plays a part in the menopause hair situation.

Remember when you were a teenager and your hormones showed up out of nowhere and your gorgeous child-like hair suddenly changed overnight? We all thought life was over and we’d never cope again.But we did, didn’t we?

Well, when our hormone levels drop in menopause, it hits our hair just as hard. What’s happening on the inside always shows up in our hair.

💙 Oestrogen

Our hair’s best mate. Oestrogen helps keep hair in the growing (Anagen) phase for longer. When it drops, the growth slows down, and shedding speeds up. Hair becomes finer and duller.

💙 Progesterone

Balances the effects of testosterone; basically keeps it in check. When progesterone drops testosterone can take over. That causes hair follicles to shrink, which leads to finer, wispier regrowth.

💙 Testosterone & DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)

When testosterone converts into DHT, it can shrink hair follicles. This is what causes female pattern thinning (androgenic alopecia). And yet, how unfair is this? While hair thins on your head, you might be finding new hairs on your chin, chest, or belly. This is all DHT-related. It redistributes hair growth.

💙 Cortisol

The stress hormone, and it’s doing us zero favours. High cortisol affects our sleep, our weight, and yep… our hair. And if you’re in chemical menopause, have had surgery, are sleep-deprived, or stressed (so, basically all of us?) This delight of cortisol spikes even higher, and shedding can get worse.

💙 Thyroid & Nutrient Deficiencies

Easily overlooked, and so important. Low thyroid function (which is common around menopause) mimics or worsens hair loss and if you’re low in iron, vitamin D, biotin, zinc, or protein? That’s a recipe for breakage, thinning, and slow growth.

So that’s the hormone gang. It’s a long list, isn’t it? They’re not just messing with our hair, they’re behind around 48 menopause symptoms. No wonder we’re exhausted.

Why This Happens: The Deeper Story

Menopause isn’t just hot flushes and mood swings, your body is recalibrating every single system, including your hair growth cycle. No wonder we suffer so much during perimenopause, it’s like your body is working overtime just to reset itself.

Let me break it down in hairdresser speak:

Your hair follows a 4-phase cycle:

• Anagen (growth) – 2 to 7 years

• Catagen (transition) – 2 to 3 weeks

• Telogen (resting) – around 3 months

• Exogen (shedding) – varies

During menopause, more hairs are pushed into the resting or shedding phases. Add in stress, poor sleep, illness, or surgery, and your scalp basically says, “I’m out.” This is your big why moment.

What You Can Do: Real, Practical Hair Help

There are answers. And you’re not powerless in this.

💙 Internal Support

• HRT; If it’s right for you, it can help restore oestrogen and balance out your hormones. Not for everyone, but helpful for many, (and keeps everything lubricated, Yes, there too).

• Nutrition & Supplements –Whether you prefer to eat for health or take targeted supplements, prioritise:

  • Protein

  • Iron

  • Vitamin D

  • Omega 3

  • Biotin & B-vitamins

• Stress Management; I know. Easier said than done. But if you can lower your cortisol (even slightly), your scalp will thank you. Meditation, nature, rest, or just saying “no” more often, it all adds up.

💙 External Support

• Scalp care = hair care Exfoliate, massage, use stimulating products. A healthy scalp is the foundation of healthy hair.

• Gentle styling No more tight ponytails or roasting your hair with straighteners daily. (Plenty of do’s and don’ts over on my Instagram!)

• Shampoos that feed your scalp Stop grabbing what’s on offer at the supermarket. Choose products with clean ingredients and scalp-boosting benefits.

• Professional hairdresser-led help Regular trims, glossing treatments, strengthening masks, we’re here to help you feel confident again.

• Be colour-wise Colour can boost shine and depth, but overloading with harsh chemicals won’t do your hair any favours. Go for enhancing, not stripping.

If none of these work, and your hair is looking more like alopecia or you’re experiencing bald patches; please see a doctor or a trichologist. You deserve support, not silence.

Mindset: It’s Not About Going Back, It’s About Moving Forward

Once you’ve got your products, your plan, and your confidence creeping back in, it’s time to own it. Your hair might not be what it was at 15, 25, or even 35. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be strong, shiny, and totally you now.

And yes, I get it, it feels worse now because of everything else going on too. But this is the time to evolve. Knowledge is power, and your hair journey isn’t over, it’s just changing lanes.

💙🩵 Feel free to pop over to my Instagram there’s loads of easy, real-world reels covering:

• How to wash your hairbrush

• Sun protection for your scalp

• The best ways to dry your hair without damage

Link below

https://www.instagram.com/the.menopausalhairdresser/