Menopause hair loss: why your hair is thinning and what you can do
Updated 14 October 2026 · 7 min read · Based on NHS guidance and published research
There's more hair in the plughole than there used to be. Your brush fills up faster. Your parting looks a little wider in the mirror, or your ponytail feels thinner in your hand. It can be upsetting, and it's easy to start worrying that something is wrong.
Menopause hair loss is very common. The NHS lists "hair thinning or hair loss" as a symptom of perimenopause and menopause. Women's Health Concern, the patient arm of the British Menopause Society, says that in the months or years leading up to menopause, the volume and condition of hair very commonly gets worse. So perimenopause hair loss can start well before your periods stop.
It also says most women who notice hair loss around menopause don't have anything medically wrong. But a few types of hair loss need a doctor early, so check the box below.
See your GP if:
- your hair is coming out in patches, or in an unusual pattern
- you're suddenly losing a lot of hair, or losing it fast
- the scalp where you're losing hair is sore, itchy, red or scaly
- your hairline at the front is moving back, or you're losing hair from your eyebrows
- you also have new acne, new facial hair, or periods that have changed a lot
- you also feel very tired, short of breath or look paler than usual, which can be signs of low iron
These come from Women's Health Concern, the British Association of Dermatologists and the NHS.
How much hair loss is normal?
Losing some hair every day is normal. The NHS says losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. Your hair grows back, so the total stays about the same.
What can change around menopause is that more comes out, and less grows back.
What does menopause hair loss look like?
Women's Health Concern describes what many women notice:
- hair that doesn't grow as much as it did
- more hair coming out when you wash or brush it
- thinning on the crown, the sides, or all over
- hair that looks and feels in worse condition
Going completely bald is much rarer in women. When it happens, it's usually because of a medical condition or a treatment such as chemotherapy.
Why does menopause cause hair loss?
Hormones play a part, but they're not the whole story.
- Oestrogen. Women's Health Concern says oestrogen may help keep hair in its "growing phase". A review of oestrogen and skin explains that oestrogen acts on hair follicles and helps keep them growing for longer. When oestrogen falls, that support drops away.
- Age. Hair thinning is partly just part of getting older.
- Genes. You may notice hair loss runs in your family, on either side.
- Stress on the body. Illness, emotional stress and crash dieting can all affect hair growth.
- Medicines. Some medicines list hair loss as a side effect.
Three types of hair loss that are common in midlife
It helps to know which type you might have, because they behave very differently.
| Type | What it looks like | Does it grow back? |
|---|---|---|
| Female pattern hair loss | Slow thinning on the top of the head. Your parting gets wider. The front hairline usually stays. | No cure, but treatment can slow it |
| Telogen effluvium (sudden shedding) | A lot more hair falling out all over the head, often about 3 months after a trigger | Usually grows back by itself over several months |
| Frontal fibrosing alopecia | The front hairline slowly moves back. You may lose eyebrow hair too. The hairline may itch or burn | No. Hair lost to it doesn't grow back, so see a GP early |
Female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss in women, says the British Association of Dermatologists. It's caused by a mix of genes and hormones. Women's Health Concern says it's most common after menopause.
Telogen effluvium happens when a shock to the body pushes lots of hairs into their resting, shedding phase at once. The British Association of Dermatologists lists triggers such as illness, a stressful or major life event, big weight loss, extreme dieting, a new medicine, or stopping a hormone treatment. It usually settles by itself over several months.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia is a scarring type of hair loss. The British Association of Dermatologists says it mostly affects white women after menopause, though anyone can get it. Treatment may help hairs that are inflamed but not yet lost. That's why it's worth getting a receding hairline checked sooner rather than later.
Other causes worth ruling out
Women's Health Concern says a doctor may check for other causes. These include:
- Low iron (anaemia or low ferritin). The NHS lists hair loss as a less common sign of iron deficiency anaemia. Heavy periods are a very common cause, and periods can get heavier in perimenopause.
- Thyroid problems. An overactive or underactive thyroid can cause hair loss.
- Raised testosterone. Signs include new acne, facial hair or irregular periods.
- Skin conditions affecting the scalp.
- Medicines, including HRT. The NHS lists hair loss as a possible side effect of oestrogen. Don't stop or change any medicine without talking to your GP or pharmacist first.
Can you reverse thinning hair after menopause?
It depends on the type.
- Telogen effluvium usually grows back without treatment, once the trigger has passed. Shedding settles after about 3 to 6 months, but it can take many months more for longer hair to look full again.
- Female pattern hair loss has no cure. But treatment can slow it down, and Women's Health Concern says medical treatments used long term can improve hair growth.
- Frontal fibrosing alopecia doesn't grow back where hair has been lost. Treatment aims to save hairs that are inflamed but not yet gone.
Women's Health Concern offers some reassurance here. It says most menopause-related hair loss does slow down with time.
What you can do yourself
None of these are cures. But they can protect the hair you have and help it look its best.
- Go easy on heat. Women's Health Concern suggests cutting down on straighteners, hairdryers and other heat tools.
- Eat well. The British Association of Dermatologists suggests a healthy diet with foods that contain iron and protein, plus fresh fruit and vegetables. Women's Health Concern says a review of your diet may be helpful.
- If you smoke, think about stopping. The British Association of Dermatologists says chemicals in cigarette smoke may make hair loss worse.
- Protect your scalp from the sun. Hair shields your scalp. Where it's thinner, use sunscreen or a hat to avoid sunburn.
- Disguise it, if you want to. Camouflage sprays and powders can make thin patches less obvious. They wash off with water or sweat.
- Be wary of expensive clinics. The NHS suggests seeing your GP before you consider a commercial hair clinic.
What your GP can offer
Tests. Your GP may ask about recent illness, stress or diet. They might test for anaemia, low iron stores, thyroid problems or raised testosterone.
Minoxidil. This is a treatment you put on your scalp every day. The NHS says it can treat female pattern hair loss. The British Association of Dermatologists says:
- the 2% strength is licensed for women and can be prescribed on the NHS
- it can take at least 6 months to see a difference
- you may shed more hair in the first 4 to 6 weeks
- it only works while you keep using it
- it shouldn't be used in pregnancy or while breastfeeding
Ask your GP or pharmacist whether it's right for you. The NHS says women should not use finasteride, a hair loss tablet for men.
Referral. If the cause isn't clear, or you might have a scarring type of hair loss, your GP can refer you to a skin specialist (dermatologist). Specialists sometimes use other tablets, but these aren't licensed for hair loss.
HRT. HRT is the main medical treatment for menopause symptoms (NHS). But the British Association of Dermatologists' leaflet on female pattern hair loss doesn't list it as a hair loss treatment, and hair loss is a possible side effect of oestrogen. If you're thinking about HRT for other symptoms, ask your GP what it might mean for your hair.
Wigs. Some wigs are available on the NHS, though you may need to pay towards them.
How hair loss can feel
Hair is part of how we see ourselves. Women's Health Concern says losing it can make you feel less like yourself and knock your self-esteem. That's a real reason to ask for help, not vanity.
The NHS says your GP may be able to arrange counselling. The charity Alopecia UK runs support groups and has information for anyone affected by hair loss.
When to see a GP about hair loss
Use the box at the top of this page. In short, see your GP if your hair loss is patchy, fast, painful or itchy, if your hairline or eyebrows are changing, or if you have other symptoms that worry you. And see them if you're simply worried. The NHS says a GP may be able to tell the cause just by looking at your hair.
Our symptoms checklist lets you tick off everything you've noticed and print a list for your GP.
Related
Hair changes often come with an itchy scalp, other skin changes in menopause and new facial hair, and you can see them all in our list of perimenopause symptoms.
This page is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about any symptom, please talk to your GP or pharmacist.
