What should you know about menopause and hair loss?

Hormonal shifts around menopause may change the hair-growth cycle, shaft thickness, and the balance between growth and shedding. Some people notice a widening part, reduced density at the crown, a smaller ponytail, or more hair on the brush. Hair may also feel drier or break more easily, which is different from loss at the root.

Other explanations include female pattern hair loss, telogen effluvium after illness or stress, thyroid or iron problems, alopecia areata, scalp inflammation, traction from tight styles, or scalp ringworm. The pattern, speed, scalp appearance, medicines, diet, and other symptoms help distinguish these possibilities.

Book a dermatology assessment if shedding persists, density is falling, or the scalp is painful or inflamed. Bring a list of medicines and supplements, mention recent illness or major stress, and describe how the change started. Gentle washing, reduced heat and chemical processing, and looser hairstyles can limit breakage and traction while the cause is assessed.

Treatment depends on the diagnosis. A clinician may discuss topical or oral options, correction of a nutritional or medical problem, or specialist hair-restoration care. Finasteride treatment is not suitable for everyone, particularly where pregnancy is possible, so medication decisions require medical advice.

Arrange prompt care for sudden patchy loss, smooth bald spots, scalp scaling or pus, marked redness, pain, bleeding, or broken hairs with swollen glands. Seek medical advice sooner if hair loss occurs with fatigue, weight change, unusual facial hair, menstrual changes, or other new body symptoms.

What pattern of hair loss do you see, and could another condition be contributing? Do I need scalp examination or blood tests? Which treatments fit my health history, and how long should we assess them before changing the plan?