Hair loss conditions Mostly affects women
Menopause hair loss: why hair thins and what can help
The NHS lists hair thinning or hair loss among the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Often it is female pattern hair loss becoming more noticeable at the age it most commonly starts, though iron, thyroid problems and, less often, scarring conditions can be involved. Treatment is possible, and HRT is a separate conversation with your GP or a menopause specialist.
What is menopause hair loss?
Menopause is when your periods stop due to lower hormone levels, and the NHS says it usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55. The years before it, when periods change, are called perimenopause. Alongside hot flushes, sleep problems and mood changes, the NHS lists hair thinning or hair loss among its symptoms.
The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says female pattern hair loss in women usually starts in the 50s or 60s, so for many women the thinning they notice around the menopause is pattern hair loss becoming visible. It is caused by a mix of genetic and hormonal factors and looks the same at any age: a wider parting and less volume on top, with the front hairline usually kept.
Not all midlife hair loss is pattern hair loss. Frontal fibrosing alopecia, a scarring condition, occurs mostly in postmenopausal women, according to the BAD. It makes the front hairline recede in a band and can thin the eyebrows. Hair lost to it cannot regrow, which is why it needs a dermatologist early; see scarring alopecia.
Other changes at this stage of life can play a part too. Periods during perimenopause can become heavier, and the NHS says heavy periods are a very common cause of iron deficiency anaemia, which can itself cause shedding.
Signs to look for
- Gradual thinning over the top of the head and a wider parting
- A ponytail that feels smaller, or more scalp showing under bright light
- Hairs on top that are finer and shorter than those elsewhere
- Other menopause symptoms around the same time, such as changes to your periods, hot flushes or sleep problems
- Worth checking with a doctor: a front hairline moving back in a band, or thinning eyebrows
What causes it
Female pattern hair loss
Genetic and hormonal factors make follicles on top of the scalp produce finer hairs over time. It most commonly appears in the 50s or 60s.
Iron deficiency
Heavier periods during perimenopause can lead to iron deficiency anaemia, and the NHS lists hair loss as one of its symptoms.
Thyroid problems
An underactive thyroid can cause hair loss, tiredness, weight gain and low mood, which can be hard to tell apart from menopause symptoms.
Frontal fibrosing alopecia
A scarring condition seen mostly after the menopause. The front hairline recedes and eyebrows may thin. It needs a dermatologist.
Telogen effluvium
Stress, illness, surgery or stopping a hormone treatment can trigger a temporary shedding phase a few months later.
How it is diagnosed
You usually do not need a blood test to confirm the menopause itself. NICE guideline NG23 advises that, in otherwise healthy women aged 45 or over with menopause symptoms, perimenopause and menopause are identified from symptoms without laboratory tests. An FSH blood test is only considered in some women aged 40 to 45, or under 40 when early menopause is suspected.
For hair loss, blood tests are more useful for ruling out other causes, such as iron deficiency and thyroid problems, than for proving the menopause. A doctor diagnoses pattern hair loss by looking at your scalp and asking about the pattern and your family history. If there are signs of scarring, a dermatologist may take a small scalp biopsy.
WMG Health's page on menopause symptoms explains which tests are relevant and when.
Treatment options
Every option below has trade-offs, and choosing not to treat is a reasonable decision too. Medicines are only prescribed after a doctor has reviewed your history and confirmed they are suitable for you.
What to expect
Menopause symptoms change over time; the NHS says they usually last 7 to 9 years, sometimes longer. Pattern hair loss, by contrast, is long term and tends to progress slowly, so any treatment for it is ongoing rather than a short course.
If you start minoxidil, allow at least 6 months before judging it, as the BAD advises. A temporary increase in shedding in the first weeks is common and usually settles. Results vary, and any benefit lasts only as long as you keep using treatment.
If thinning is linked to iron deficiency or a thyroid problem, treating that may help the shedding settle, though it will not reverse pattern hair loss that is also present.
When to see a doctor promptly
See your GP soon, rather than waiting or self-treating, if you notice any of these:
- A front hairline receding in a band, or eyebrows thinning
- Itching, burning, pain, redness or scaling on the scalp
- Hair loss that is sudden or in patches
- Excess facial or body hair, or scalp thinning, that comes on quickly or worsens fast after the menopause
- Any vaginal bleeding after 12 months without a period, or periods that are heavier than before
How WMG Meds can help
If your thinning looks like female pattern hair loss, WMG Meds can help. Through our free online assessment, a GMC-registered doctor reviews your history, including your blood pressure and any heart or kidney conditions, and decides whether a minoxidil-based treatment is clinically appropriate. Topical and oral minoxidil options are prescribed off-label, and medicines are dispensed by a GPhC-registered UK pharmacy partner.
What we do not do: HRT is not part of the WMG Meds hair loss service, so please talk to your GP or a menopause specialist about it. Finasteride and dutasteride are not offered as part of our women's hair loss treatment. If your answers suggest a scarring condition such as frontal fibrosing alopecia, the doctor will advise you to see a dermatologist promptly instead.
You can read more about whether women can use minoxidil before you start.
Frequently asked questions
Does the menopause cause hair loss?
It can be part of it. The NHS lists hair thinning or hair loss among the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. The BAD says female pattern hair loss most often starts in the 50s or 60s, so the two frequently overlap. Iron deficiency and thyroid problems are also worth ruling out.
Will HRT help my hair?
HRT is licensed to treat menopause symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis, not to treat hair loss. Some women ask about it for their hair, but whether it is right for you depends on your symptoms, your medical history and the balance of benefits and risks. That is a discussion for your GP or a menopause specialist.
Do I need a blood test to confirm I am in the menopause?
Usually not if you are 45 or over. NICE guideline NG23 says menopause and perimenopause are identified from symptoms in otherwise healthy women aged 45 or over, without laboratory tests. An FSH test may be considered between 40 and 45, or under 40 if early menopause is suspected.
Can I use minoxidil after the menopause?
Often, yes. The licensed women's minoxidil foam covers women aged 18 to 65, but it must not be used if you have high blood pressure, whether treated or not. Off-label prescription options exist too, and a doctor will check your blood pressure, heart and kidney history before prescribing.
My eyebrows are thinning as well as my hair. Is that normal?
It should be checked. Loss of eyebrows together with a receding front hairline is a typical sign of frontal fibrosing alopecia, a scarring condition seen mostly in postmenopausal women. Hair lost to scarring cannot regrow, so ask your GP for a dermatology referral. Our scarring alopecia page explains more.
Sources
- NHS: Symptoms of menopause and perimenopause
- NICE guideline NG23: Menopause, identification and management
- British Association of Dermatologists: Hair loss, female pattern (androgenetic alopecia), patient leaflet
- British Association of Dermatologists: Frontal fibrosing alopecia, patient leaflet
- Regaine for Women Once a Day Scalp Foam 5% w/w: Summary of Product Characteristics (eMC)
Facts checked against these sources on 4 October 2026. This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Read our editorial policy.