Menopause Hair Changes

“The common forms of hair loss after menopause are diffuse shedding and female pattern hair loss, which typically starts with a widening center part”.¹

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What may the Menopause Hair Changes Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

Aging

Is there an association between aging and gray hair?

The North American Menopause Society (NAMS) note:

“Aging increases the likelihood that hair will become gray and more brittle”.²

Menopause

Is there an association between menopause and hair loss?

In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Is there anything I can do to stop my hair from thinning? the NAMS elaborate on:

“A. The common forms of hair loss after menopause are diffuse shedding and female pattern hair loss, which typically starts with a widening center part. The loss is mainly at the top and crown (upper back) of your head. Diffuse shedding usually resolves on its own within 6 months. Why women experience female pattern hair loss is not well understood, but a shift in the balance between estrogen and androgens (male hormones) may be one cause”.³

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Is there an association between menopause and female pattern hair loss (FPHL)?

In Menopausal Hair Loss: Why Does It Happen? the (British) Women’s Health Concern explain:

“FPHL is very common and increases with age and varies across ethnic groups. Although it can happen at any age, the condition occurs most commonly following the menopause. This does not mean that hormones alone are to blame, although oestrogen may have a protective role, helping to keep hair in the ‘growing phase’. Age itself is a factor and whilst women can take care of their hair cosmetically, it is one aspect of the ageing process we cannot always control”.⁴

Other Causes

Apart from menopause, what may also cause hair loss?

The NAMS note:

“Nutrition and thyroid disease or other medical conditions may also cause hair loss”.⁵

Facial Hair

Is there an association between facial hair and menopause?

The NAMS note:

“Women often report large rogue hairs on their chins that seems to grow to a great length almost overnight, and other women notice the appearance of downy hairs (peach fuzz) on their faces”.⁶

The NAMS also explain:

“…excessive hair growth (hirsutism) may occur in areas in which hair follicles are especially androgen sensitive, such as chin, upper lip, and cheeks. This condition is thought to be because of the shift in the balance between androgen and estrogen levels associated with declining estrogen at menopause”.⁷

Hirsutism

What is hirsutism?

DotS the definition of hirsutism may vary. In Hirsutism: Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Hirsutism (HUR-soot-iz-um) is a condition in women that results in excessive growth of dark or coarse hair in a male-like pattern — face, chest and back”.⁸

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with hair changes?

If you would like help with hair changes, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this. Together you can clarify your hair changes, discuss your options and if required, agree on who may be the most appropriate health care provider to help you.

In Menopause FAQs: Your Health After Menopause – Q. Is there anything I can do to stop my hair from thinning? the NAMS also explain:

“A. …Talk to your healthcare providers about what the cause may be in your case. You may need to see a dermatologist. You can support healthy hair by eating a healthy diet low in red meat and calories and rich in zinc, iron, vitamin D, and biotin and taking a daily multivitamin. Treatments your healthcare providers may recommend may be aimed at suppressing androgens (with minoxidil-containing scalp treatments or shampoos or with prescription drugs), or they may recommend other prescription medications or antidandruff shampoos containing zinc or ketoconazole”.⁹

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Topic Last Updated: 11 March 2020 – Topic Last Reviewed: 11 March 2020