Why Menopause Changes Your Hair and What You Can Do About It
Why Does Menopause Change Your Hair?
Menopause causes significant hair changes through declining estrogen levels and relative androgen dominance. This leads to androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss) in up to 40% of postmenopausal women, while simultaneously causing hirsutism (unwanted facial and body hair) in 15-30%. The changes occur because estrogen normally protects hair follicles from androgen effects.
Dr. Kumar’s Take
Hair changes during menopause are among the most distressing symptoms for many women, yet they’re often dismissed as cosmetic concerns rather than medical issues. These changes reflect real hormonal imbalances that can be addressed with appropriate treatment. Understanding that hair loss and unwanted hair growth are both consequences of the same hormonal shift helps explain why women may experience seemingly contradictory changes simultaneously.