As women mature, their bodies undergo significant changes. The continual hormone surge from puberty until menopause is accompanied by mood swings, exhaustion, hot flashes, and the dreaded hormonal hair loss.
As a woman's hormones fluctuate throughout her life, it gets tough to navigate which hormones are responsible for hair fall in menopause. If you are sailing in the same boat, you’ve landed in the right place. In this blog, we will discuss what really happens to your body during menopause and which hormone causes hair fall in menopause.
WHAT IS MENOPAUSE?
In simple terms, menopause refers to the period when women stop menstruating permanently. The transitioning period to menopause is known as perimenopause (period before menopause). During this phase, a woman experiences certain symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods (as the menstruation is going to eventually pause), irregular sleep patterns, loss of focus, and the menopausal hair loss.
WHY DOES A WOMAN EXPERIENCE HAIR FALL IN MENOPAUSE?
The main culprit? Hormonal imbalance.
During perimenopause and menopause, a woman’s body experiences a natural decline in estrogen and progesterone levels. These hormones play a big role in keeping your hair thick, healthy, and growing. As they decrease, testosterone—the male hormone that women also produce in smaller amounts—can start to have a more dominant effect.
That’s where things get tricky.
Which Hormone Causes Hair Loss in Females?
The hormonal imbalance that occurs during menopause often leads people to ask: which hormone causes hair loss in females? The answer isn’t just one hormone, but a combination—primarily the drop in estrogen and progesterone, and the relative rise in androgens like testosterone. (1)
When testosterone becomes more dominant, it can lead to a condition called androgenic alopecia—commonly known as female pattern hair loss. This happens when testosterone gets converted into DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a hormone that shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle.
So, if you’re wondering, does hormonal imbalance cause hair loss? The answer is: yes, absolutely. Hormones are a major driver of menopause hair fall, especially when the balance tips too far in favor of androgens.
What Does Menopause Hair Loss Look Like?
Hair fall in menopause doesn’t usually lead to bald patches, like in some other forms of alopecia. Instead, it appears more gradually:
A wider parting line on your scalp (2)
Thinning around the crown or temples
Overall reduction in hair volume
More hair fall while brushing or washing
Owing to the decline of estrogen in a woman's body, hair becomes finer, drier, or more brittle, making it prone to breakage.
How to Prevent Hair Loss During Menopause
While you can’t stop menopause from happening, there are ways to reduce hair fall during menopause and help your hair stay as healthy as possible.
1. Balance Your Hormones
Since hair loss due to hormonal imbalance is the root cause for many, working on hormonal health is key.
The natural dip in estrogen and progesterone cannot be restored, however, with the right measures you can balance your hormones.
Natural supplements like phytoestrogens (found in flaxseeds, soy, and red clover) may also support hormone balance.
Additionally, adaptogens like Ashwagandha, Shatavari, Lodhra, Brahmi have calming properties that help reduce the ill-effects of menopause.
2. Support Your Scalp
You need a healthy scalp for your hair to regrow and bounce back to a healthier version
Use gentle shampoos free from sulfates and parabens
Avoid over washing (2–3 times a week is ideal)
Massage your scalp with rosemary or pumpkin seed oil to improve blood circulation
Consider using topical redeny or procapsid (after consulting your doctor), a proven treatment for female pattern hair loss
3. Eat for Hair Health
Nutrition plays an important role in managing menopause hair loss. Your hair thrives on the right nutrition, and since your body is going to a challenging time, you should give it the right nutrition. Focus on foods that support hormonal balance and follicle health. (3)
Key nutrients include :
Protein – Important for hair growth (eggs, lentils, chicken, tofu)
Iron – Low iron is a hidden cause of hair thinning (spinach, beets, dates)
Zinc & selenium – For scalp health and follicle repair (nuts, seeds, fish)
Vitamin D & B-complex – Especially biotin, known to support hair strength
Omega-3 fatty acids – Help reduce inflammation and improve scalp hydration
Pro tip: Don’t skip meals or go on extreme diets during this phase—calorie restriction can worsen hormonal imbalances and accelerate hair loss.
4. Manage Stress
Menopause is already a physically and emotionally intense period. Add chronic stress, and it spikes the stress hormone, which worsens hormonal imbalance and leads to more hair shedding.
Try:
Meditation or deep breathing
Walking in nature
Yoga or gentle stretching
Journaling or therapy
Reducing stress supports overall hormone regulation, which in turn can slow down hair fall.
5. Avoid Heat and Chemical Damage
As hair becomes more fragile during menopause, it's important to treat it gently.
Avoid frequent heat styling (flat irons, curling wands)
Limit chemical treatments like coloring, straightening, or perming
Use a wide-toothed comb to reduce breakage
Let your hair air dry whenever possible
When to See a Doctor
If your hair loss is sudden, patchy, or accompanied by other symptoms like fatigue, dry skin, or mood swings, it may signal a thyroid issue or nutritional deficiency, both common around menopause. In such cases, it’s best to consult a profession, don’t just rely on google, AI or your friend’s advice.
The Bottom Line
Hair loss in menopause is common, but not permanent or unmanageable. Once you understand that your hair loss is a byproduct of your hormonal shifts, you will be able to manage it better.
Eat right, nourish your scalp, manage stress as all of this will aid in reducing hair loss. Hair growth takes time and you have to be patient and consistent.
Don’t worry, menopause is not the end of your hair health.
FAQS
1. How to stop hair thinning due to menopause?
While you cannot stop hair thinning, you can manage it. It is advisable to eat a protein rich diet, manage stress by journaling or meditating and incorporating an activity like brisk walking or weight training to help reduce the adverse effects of hormonal imbalance.
2. Can hair grow back after menopausal hair loss?
Yes, menopause hair loss is not permanent and it will grow, provided you are taking care of your hair and managing stress levels.
3. How do I self-treat menopause?
While it is advised to first consult your doctor and then take supportive measures such as making lifestyle changes, eating a balanced diets, getting 7-8 hours of sleep and so on.
4. What vitamins are good for menopause hair loss?
Biotin, Vitamin D, B12, Iron, Zinc. They support scalp health, hair strength, and hormonal balance.
5. How to reverse menopause naturally?
You cannot reverse menopause itself, but you can reduce the symptoms naturally.