Understanding and Addressing Hair Thinning
Menopause is a natural chapter in every woman’s life, but the changes it brings—especially to your hair—can feel anything but natural. Many women notice shifts in their hair’s texture, volume, and even its growth pattern. While it can be unsettling, understanding the why behind these changes can help you take proactive, nourishing steps toward keeping your hair (and your confidence) healthy and strong.
1. Overall Hair Thinning Patterns
One of the most common complaints during menopause is a general thinning of hair all over the scalp. This is due in large part to the declining levels of estrogen and progesterone—hormones that typically help hair grow faster and stay on your head longer. With these hormones decreasing, the hair’s growth phase shortens and more strands enter the resting (and eventually shedding) phase.
What you might notice: A loss of fullness or volume, especially around the crown or temples.
2. Female Pattern Hair Thinning
Menopause can also trigger female pattern hair thinning (also called androgenetic alopecia), where the hair becomes noticeably finer on the top and front of the scalp. Unlike male pattern baldness, this kind of thinning is usually more diffuse and rarely leads to total baldness.
Why? As estrogen decreases, androgens (male hormones) like testosterone become more dominant. These androgens can shrink hair follicles, especially in those genetically predisposed, leading to shorter, finer hairs.
3. Texture and Volume Changes
Hair that once felt thick and manageable may begin to feel dry, frizzy, or limp. That’s because hormone shifts can also reduce sebum (your scalp’s natural oil) production, leaving hair more brittle and less shiny.
This is also a time when curly hair may lose definition, and straight hair may start to feel flyaway or dull. The change in oil production affects how your strands lay and respond to styling.
4. Growth Rate Changes
Many women report that their hair just doesn’t grow as fast anymore—and they’re not imagining it. Hair grows in cycles (anagen, catagen, telogen), and during menopause, the anagen (growth) phase shortens. This means hair sheds more quickly and doesn’t stay around long enough to reach the same length as before.
You may also notice that your usual haircuts last longer—not necessarily a bad thing—but it’s a sign your follicles are slowing down.
5. Scalp Changes and Sensitivity
A dry, flaky, or itchy scalp is also very common. Thinner skin, reduced oil production, and inflammation caused by hormone fluctuations can all make the scalp feel more sensitive or prone to irritation.
You might even find your scalp reacting differently to the same hair products you’ve used for years, as your skin’s pH and resilience changes with age.
6. Timeline: When Do These Changes Typically Start?
Hair changes can begin during perimenopause—the transitional years leading up to menopause, typically starting in your 40s. For some, the shift is gradual; for others, it may seem like it happens overnight. These changes often peak during the late 40s to early 50s and may level out post-menopause, though recovery and regrowth require patience and consistency.
What Can You Do?
The good news? You’re not powerless. Nourishing your scalp and supporting your follicles with ingredients like rosemary oil, harakeke oil, amino acids, and Provitamin B5—like those found in our The newVital Hair Growth Oil and Shampoo—can help restore balance and vitality to your hair.
It’s not about reversing menopause—it’s about adapting to it with grace and strength, and treating your hair to the love and support it deserves.
You’ve weathered enough changes in life. Let your hair be one less thing to worry about.