Why Some Women Experience Hair Loss During Menopause

If your hair has thinned or shed more around peri- to post-menopause, you’re not imagining it - and you’re certainly not alone. 

Below is a calm, practical walkthrough of what menopause hair loss looks like, what genuinely helps in the UK, and how cosmetic care (like a well-made hair serum) can support you while medical treatments get to work.

What’s Actually Happening to Hair Around Menopause?

As oestrogen and progesterone fall, the relative influence of androgens can rise in genetically predisposed follicles. In FPHL, hairs miniaturise: each growth cycle produces a finer strand, so density looks reduced (often a widening part with the frontal hairline preserved). 

In telogen effluvium, more hairs than usual shift into the shedding phase after a trigger (illness, surgery, high stress), so you notice more hair in the brush and shower - but the follicles are not permanently damaged. 

These patterns - and how we approach them - are well described in UK clinical resources such as NICE CKS and the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD).

FPHL vs Other Causes - How You Can Diagnose

Sometimes the pattern you see offers helpful clues. A widening part with more hair thinning at the crown leans toward female pattern hair loss, whilst a sudden, even shedding all over is more typical of telogen effluvium. 

Discrete bald patches, on the other hand, suggest alopecia areata - an autoimmune condition that’s assessed a bit differently. When you see your GP, they’ll usually take a thorough history, examine your scalp (often with a small magnifier called a dermatoscope), and - if it fits your story - order a few simple blood tests such as iron or thyroid. 

A biopsy is rarely necessary. If anything doesn’t quite fit, or you’re feeling particularly distressed, it’s absolutely reasonable to ask for a referral to dermatology.

Evidence-Based Treatments in the UK

Minoxidil

Topical minoxidil remains the front-line treatment for FPHL in UK guidance. It can slow loss and thicken existing hairs, but it requires consistency and patience. Try to wait 3-6 months before judging. A temporary shed in the first weeks can happen as follicles reset. (There are age and safety caveats; check the label and your GP/pharmacist.) Some clinics also use low-dose oral minoxidil off-label with monitoring. 

HRT

HRT helps with menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, sleep, mood, urogenital symptoms). Hair can benefit indirectly when symptoms and systemic stress are better controlled, but HRT isn’t automatically “for hair loss,” and it’s not appropriate for everyone. NICE and UK menopause bodies emphasise individualised, shared decision-making about risks and benefits - start that conversation with your GP.

Other Treatments

Low-level laser, microneedling, or PRP are sometimes discussed; evidence exists, but is variable and usually considered adjunctive-best explored with a specialist rather than as DIY fixes. 

Reality check: For chronic FPHL, the aim is stabilisation and thickening, not a full return to teenage density. Setting that expectation early protects you from whiplash marketing and wasted spend. 

Where a Hair Serum Fits Into Your Routine

Let’s be honest about scope: serums don’t treat follicle miniaturisation. What they can do is make the hair you have look fuller and healthier by reducing breakage, improving slip and shine, and calming scalp discomfort, which is especially valuable. At the same time, minoxidil or HRT plans bed in. Look for lightweight, pH-balanced formulas with humectants (glycerin, panthenol), light esters/silicones for immediate gloss, and ceramide analogues to support the cuticle. Choose weightless textures so fine that thinning hair isn’t dragged flat.

What Your Daily Routine Should Look Like

Morning or evening, pick one:

Scalp first: If you’re using topical minoxidil, apply it to your scalp on clean, dry skin and let it dry thoroughly.

Lengths next: On damp hair, apply a lightweight serum through mids-to-ends; press, don’t drag.

Styling: Microfiber towel blot; low heat with heat protectant. Avoid tight styles that pull on the hairline.

Wash days (2-3×/week): Start with a gentle, colour-safe shampoo focused on scalp health. Next, use a lightweight conditioner and detangle carefully. 

If hair feels coated (UK hard water, lots of stylers), clarify every 2-4 weeks, then go back to gentle care. 

Nutrition & lifestyle basics:

Aim for adequate protein and iron/ferritin sufficiency (your GP can advise testing if clinically indicated).

Sleep, stress reduction, and moving your body are not “nice-to-haves”; they’re part of lowering background inflammatory noise that can worsen shedding. (NHS resources also cover coping and support.) 

Promote Healthy Hair From rhute to Tip 

So what’s next? And what other information about haircare do you need to know?

Well, for more details on HairScience and other topics related to ensuring you maintain healthy, luscious locks, check out rhute’s blogs. We’ve got the answers to burning questions you might have about your hair - as well as top tips on management from our medical experts. 

Menopause Hair Loss: FAQs

Is menopause hair loss permanent?

FPHL is chronic and slowly progressive, so it has to be managed in the long term. Telogen effluvium typically settles once the trigger resolves. A clinician can help you tell which you’re facing.

How long until I see results?

Topical minoxidil usually requires 3-6 months for a fair trial; earlier shedding can occur and is temporary. Keep going unless advised otherwise by your clinician.

Can shampoos/serums regrow hair? (cosmetic vs medical)

They can improve fibre quality and the look of fullness, but they don’t reverse miniaturisation. Use them alongside evidence-based scalp treatments.