Hair changes during menopause are surprisingly common, affecting many postmenopausal women. While hot flushes and night sweats get most of the attention, hair thinning quietly impacts millions of women going through this transition.
Understanding what's happening in your body is the first step. From there, simple, practical changes can help protect your hair and support healthy regrowth during menopause and beyond.
The main culprit behind menopausal hair loss is the dramatic drop in estrogen levels. Estrogen is a friend to your hair, it helps hair stay in its growth phase longer and supports the overall health of your hair follicles. When estrogen levels decline during menopause, several changes occur:
Research confirms that estrogen receptors are present in hair follicles, and the cessation of ovarian estrogen production directly impacts the hair follicle (Gupta et al., 2025). This hormonal shift can lead to decreased hair density, decreased calibre, and changes in hair texture.
Additionally, while estrogen drops sharply, androgen levels decline more gradually with ageing. This creates a relative increase in androgens, which can contribute to hair thinning, particularly at the crown and along the part line (Grymowicz et al., 2020).
Menopause and thyroid dysfunction often co-exist, and both can cause similar symptoms including hair loss. Thyroid hormones play a crucial role in regulating hair growth, and thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, is common during the menopausal years. Women experiencing both menopause and thyroid issues may notice more pronounced hair thinning (European Menopause and Andropause Society, 2024).
If you're experiencing additional symptoms like unexplained weight changes, fatigue, or mood changes alongside hair loss, it's worth having your thyroid function checked.
Your body's nutritional requirements shift during menopause, and certain deficiencies can worsen hair loss:
Studies have shown that women with hair loss frequently have lower levels of ferritin (stored iron) and vitamin D compared to those without hair loss (Senturk et al., 2020).
The physical and emotional stress of managing menopause symptoms—hot flushes, night sweats, mood changes—can trigger or worsen hair shedding. Poor sleep quality, common during menopause, further compounds this issue as your body needs adequate rest for healthy hair growth.
Focus on:
Always consult your doctor before starting supplements, as blood tests can determine whether you have actual deficiencies that need addressing.
Discuss with your healthcare provider:
While some hair thinning during menopause is normal, see your healthcare provider if you notice:
Early evaluation can help determine whether menopause alone is causing your hair loss or whether another treatable condition is contributing.
Hair changes during menopause are common and often manageable. Whilst some thinning may be inevitable due to hormonal changes, understanding the contributing factors and taking proactive steps can help minimise hair loss and support overall hair health during this transition.
Remember, maintaining your overall health—through good nutrition, stress management, and adequate sleep—benefits not just your hair but your entire wellbeing during menopause.
Looking for more support with your menopause symptoms? Book a gap-free bulk-billed doctor consult with the Australian Menopause Centre (powered by Emsee) to discover our holistic treatment pathways. We're here to support you through every aspect of your menopause journey.
Endo, Y., Saitoh, E., Yano, K., Murakami, K., Tanaka, K., Yamaguchi, K., & Inoue, A. (2023). Clinical and phototrichogrammatic evaluation of estradiol replacement therapy on hair growth in postmenopausal Japanese women with female pattern hair loss: A pilot study. International Journal of Women's Dermatology, 9(4), e115.
European Menopause and Andropause Society. (2024). EMAS position statement: Thyroid disease and menopause. Maturitas, 185, 108002.
Grymowicz, M., Rudnicka, E., Podfigurna, A., Napierala, P., Smolarczyk, R., Smolarczyk, K., & Meczekalski, B. (2020). Hormonal effects on hair follicles. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(15), 5342.
Gupta, A. K., Epstein, V., Madnani, A., & Wang, T. (2025). Menopause and hair loss in women: Exploring the hormonal transition. Maturitas, 195, 108360.
Hussein, R. S., Atia, T., & Bin Dayel, S. (2023). Impact of thyroid dysfunction on hair disorders. Cureus, 15(8), e43266.