Menopausal Hair Loss - Big Guide to Causes and Treatment

Is hair loss during the menopause permanent?

Hair loss during the menopause is not necessarily permanent.

It depends largely on why the hair is thinning.

Some types of increased shedding may be temporary, whilst other forms of hair loss may develop over a longer period.

For example, women may also experience androgenetic alopecia, which is a hereditary form of hair loss.

If your hair is becoming noticeably thinner, or you are experiencing persistent hair loss, a doctor or dermatologist can help assess the cause.

Hair in the hairbrush

What causes hair loss during the menopause?

There can be several different reasons why your hair changes around the time of the menopause.

Hormonal changes

Changes in the body’s hormone levels can, in some women, affect the hair’s growth cycle and density.

Genetics

Heredity plays a major role in how hair develops throughout life.

Women, like men, can experience androgenetic alopecia, although the pattern often looks different.

Stress and physical strain

Significant physical or mental strain can, in some people, be linked to diffuse hair loss in the form of telogen effluvium.

The hair loss may occur some time after the stressful period.

Woman experiencing stress

Illness and medication

Certain illnesses and treatments can also affect the hair.

If hair loss occurs alongside other symptoms or following a change in medication, you should speak to your doctor.

Hair breakage

It is also important to distinguish between hair loss and hair breakage.

Bleaching, chemical treatments, heat styling and mechanical stress can affect the hair shafts, making the hair appear less voluminous.

Can vitamin deficiency cause hair loss during the menopause?

Hair loss can have many different causes, and you cannot determine from the condition of your hair alone whether you are deficient in a particular vitamin or mineral.

If you suspect a deficiency, you should speak to your doctor.

When vitamins and minerals are discussed in relation to hair, it is important to stick to their specific, approved health claims.

For example:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

This is not the same as saying that biotin or zinc treat hair loss during the menopause.

What are the symptoms of hair loss during the menopause?

Hair loss and thinning can vary from person to person.

For example, you may experience:

• a wider parting
• less volume on the top of the head
• a less full ponytail
• a more visible scalp
• increased shedding
• finer hair strands
• changes in hair texture

Some change in your hair over the course of your life is natural.

However, if the change happens quickly or is very noticeable, you should have it assessed.

Thinning hair during the menopause

Thinning hair during the menopause can relate to both the number of hairs and the diameter of individual hairs.

It is important to distinguish between:

Fine hair: Individual hair strands have a small diameter.

Low hair density: There are fewer hair strands in a specific area.

Hair loss: There is an actual reduction in hair density compared with before.

You can therefore have fine hair without experiencing hair loss.

Can hair loss during the menopause be prevented?

There is no single hair care routine, diet or dietary supplement that can guarantee you will avoid hair loss during the menopause.

If the hair loss is due to hormonal or genetic factors, ordinary cosmetic products may not necessarily prevent the process either.

However, you can take good care of your existing hair and minimise unnecessary breakage.

Eat a varied and balanced diet

A varied and balanced diet is the basis for obtaining vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.

For example, you could eat a combination of:

• vegetables
• fruit
• wholemeals
• fish
• eggs
• protein-rich foods
• nuts and seeds
• pulses

It is not necessary to follow a special ‘hair diet’ to maintain healthy hair.

Hair vitamins during the menopause

Yuaia Hair Vitamins is a dietary supplement containing, amongst other things, biotin and zinc.

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

Hair Vitamins can be used as a dietary supplement in your daily routine, but should not be regarded as a treatment for hair loss during the menopause.

This means that Hair Vitamins should not be described as a product that:

• stops hormonal hair loss
• makes lost hair grow back
• increases hair density
• accelerates hair growth
• treats androgenetic alopecia

Dietary supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

Always follow the recommended daily dose.

If you are taking medication or other dietary supplements, it may be advisable to speak to your doctor about your total intake.

Does biotin help with hair loss during the menopause?

Biotin is often used in dietary supplements for the hair.

The authorised health claim is:

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

It is important to bear in mind precisely this meaning.

The claim does not mean that biotin:

• stops hair loss
• treats hormonal hair loss
• promotes regrowth
• makes hair thicker
• makes hair grow faster

If you are experiencing actual hair loss, the cause should therefore be assessed separately.

Does zinc help with hair?

Zinc also has an approved health claim relating to hair:

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc also has a number of other functions in the body.

However, this should not be misinterpreted to mean that zinc treats hair loss or stimulates hair growth.

Should you take dietary supplements for hair loss during the menopause?

Not necessarily.

Hair loss can have many causes, and a dietary supplement should not be used as a substitute for identifying the cause of the hair loss.

If you notice a significant change, it may therefore be worth speaking to your doctor.

If a deficiency in a specific nutrient is suspected, your doctor can assess whether further investigation is necessary.

Stress and the menopause

The menopause can be a time of both physical and mental changes.

If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it may be worth prioritising:

• sleep
• physical activity
• breaks
• walks
• meditation
• yoga
• time with family and friends

If you’re experiencing prolonged or severe stress, you should seek appropriate help.

However, stress management should not be presented as a guaranteed treatment for hair loss.

Sleep and hair loss

Sleep is important for our general health and well-being.

For some women, the menopause can affect the quality of their sleep.

If you have been having trouble sleeping for a long time, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor.

However, there is no evidence to suggest that getting more sleep in itself will stop hair loss during the menopause.

Exercise during the menopause

Regular physical activity has many general health benefits.

Exercise can therefore be a natural part of a healthy lifestyle during the menopause.

However, it should not be described as a method that directly stimulates the hair follicles or causes hair to grow back.

The right hair care for thinning hair during the menopause

The structure of your hair can change with age, and so the hair care routine that worked previously may feel different later in life.

If your hair feels drier, for example, you may benefit from more nourishing products.

If your hair becomes finer, lighter formulations may be more suitable to avoid weighing it down.

Focus on:

• gentle cleansing
• conditioner as needed
• moisture and nourishment for the lengths
• gentle detangling
• heat protection when styling
• products suited to your scalp

How often should you wash your hair during the menopause?

There is no single ‘correct’ washing frequency.

How often you should wash your hair depends, amongst other things, on:

• hair type
• scalp
• activity level
• styling products
• personal preferences

Some people need to wash their hair frequently, whilst others can go several days between washes.

You should therefore adapt your hair-washing routine to your own needs.

Heat and thin hair

Straighteners, curling irons and blow-drying at very high temperatures can put a strain on the hair strands.

This can lead to more hair breakage, which may make your hair appear less voluminous.

If you use heat styling tools, you can:

• use heat protection
• choose a suitable temperature
• avoid repeated treatments on the same section of hair
• vary your routine with heatless styling

This is about protecting the existing hair shaft – not about stopping hormonal hair loss.

Colouring and bleaching

Chemical treatments can affect the structure of the hair.

If your hair already feels fine, dry or fragile, it may be worth paying extra attention to how often you bleach or colour it.

A hairdresser can help you find a treatment that suits the current condition of your hair.

Scalp care during the menopause

Some women find that their scalp becomes drier or more sensitive as they age.

You should therefore choose products that suit your scalp.

A scalp massage can be a pleasant part of your routine, but should not be described as a proven treatment for hair loss or as a method to make your hair grow faster.

What should you do about severe hair loss during the menopause?

If you are experiencing significant hair loss, it is a good idea to have the cause investigated.

Your doctor can, amongst other things, help to assess:

• what type of hair loss you are experiencing
• whether there may be other medical causes
• whether medication might be a factor
• whether further investigations are necessary
• whether treatment should be considered

This is particularly important if the hair loss is sudden or very severe.

Treatment of hair loss during the menopause

There are various treatments available for different types of hair loss.

The appropriate treatment depends on the cause.

Medical treatment should therefore be discussed with a doctor or dermatologist.

Hair Vitamins, shampoo, cosmetic serums, hair masks and scalp massage should not be regarded as medical treatments for hormonal hair loss.

Hair Vitamins and the treatment of hair loss

Hair Vitamins is a dietary supplement.

The product should therefore be kept clearly separate from actual treatments for hair loss.

The appropriate messaging is:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.

This is not the same as:

“Hair Vitamins stop hair loss.”

or:

“Hair Vitamins will make your hair grow back.”

Myths about hair loss during the menopause

Myth: All women experience hair loss during the menopause

No.

How hair changes varies from person to person.

Myth: Hair Vitamins can stop hair loss during the menopause

No.

Hair Vitamins should not be regarded as a treatment for hormonal hair loss.

Biotin and zinc help maintain normal hair.

Myth: Thinning hair means you’re lacking vitamins

Not necessarily.

Thinning and hair loss can have many different causes.

Myth: More vitamins lead to faster hair growth

More is not necessarily better.

Always follow the recommended daily dose.

Myth: A specific shampoo can stop hormonal hair loss

A standard cosmetic shampoo is used for cleansing and care.

It should not be regarded as a treatment for hormonal hair loss.

FAQ on hair loss during the menopause

Why does hair loss occur during the menopause?

Hormonal changes around the time of the menopause can, in some women, be linked to changes in the hair’s growth cycle and density.

Genetics, age and other factors may also play a role.

Is hair loss during the menopause normal?

Changes to the hair are common throughout life, but significant hair loss should not automatically be dismissed as a normal part of the menopause.

If you are concerned, you should speak to your doctor.

Can hair grow back after the menopause?

It depends on the type and cause of the hair loss.

A doctor or dermatologist can help assess your situation.

Can Hair Vitamins help with hair loss during the menopause?

Hair Vitamins should not be regarded as a treatment for hair loss.

The product contains, amongst other things, biotin and zinc.

Biotin and zinc help maintain normal hair.

Which vitamins are good for hair during the menopause?

Biotin and zinc have approved health claims relating to normal hair.

Selenium also has an approved health claim regarding the maintenance of normal hair.

This does not mean that these nutrients treat hormonal hair loss.

Can biotin help with hormonal hair loss?

Biotin’s approved health claim is:

Biotin contributes to the maintenance of normal hair.

This is not a claim regarding the treatment of hormonal hair loss.

How long do you need to take hair vitamins to see a difference?

No general promise should be made regarding visible hair results after a specific number of weeks or months.

Follow the recommended daily dose.

Can hair loss during the menopause be prevented?

It depends on the cause.

Hormonal and genetic hair loss cannot necessarily be prevented through regular hair care or dietary supplements.

What can I do about thinning hair during the menopause?

You can focus on a gentle hair care routine and styling techniques that create the appearance of greater volume.

If your hair is actually becoming less dense, you should have the cause assessed.

When should I see a doctor about hair loss?

Contact your doctor if you experience:

• sudden hair loss
• a marked increase in shedding
• patchy hair loss
• rapidly progressing thinning
• scalp problems
• other new symptoms occurring at the same time

Brief summary

Hair loss during the menopause may be linked to hormonal changes, but there are also many other possible causes.

If you experience significant or persistent hair loss, you should have the cause assessed.

A varied and balanced diet is the foundation for obtaining vitamins and minerals.

Hair Vitamins can be incorporated as a dietary supplement into your daily routine, but should not be marketed as a treatment for hair loss during the menopause.

The relevant authorised claims are:

Biotin helps maintain normal hair.

Zinc helps maintain normal hair.