I’m 51 and have been in peri for about 3 years now. Lately, I’ve noticed increasing hair loss. I’m not bald by any means, but this is very distressing, especially as a woman who has always loved her long hair. I’ve read articles online how stress can cause hair loss and these are certainly stressful times. However, I’m wondering how much might be attributable to just menopause. Anyone else dealt with this particular symptom? Any tips for stopping the loss?– Annabelle, Newark
Community comments
24Real experiences shared by the community, from the original discussion to today.
Join the discussion
Share what worked for you — comments are reviewed before they appear.
Joanne5 years ago
Hiya annabelle I’m the same does hrt make your hair grow thicker or stop it from falling out because my hair is getting thinner x
I started HRT about six months ago5 years ago
Hi Annabel, I developed alopecia areata, meaning round bald patches of hair loss during my perimenopause. My hair also thinned significantly. It’s been two years now and I am working on a solution for it. The stress certainly precipitated the hair falling out. I had Cortizone injections in my scalp which did nothing. All It did was give me indentations in my scalp where the skin atrophied. I have been taking supplements and they do seem to help diminish the hair loss all over. I started HRT about six months ago. I haven’t seen an impact on the alopecia yet.
La Kesia5 years ago
Hi Annabelle! You are not alone! I just turned 49 and I have always had thick long hair. Over the past few months, my hair texture, thickness and even hairline has changed drastically. I am also peri with my cycle missing for a few months (not to mention the heart palpitations). I can say that I have seen the shedding slow down considerably as I have increased my daily protein and water intake. I am also walking an hour a day, 6 days a week. Apparently, I wasn’t doing enough in each of these areas; I consider myself active and a pretty healthy eater. For my hair, I have also stopped coloring it (drastic but, grey is in right now) and I blow dry it less. I have also incorporated consistent deep breathing throughout the day, especially at night. Hopefully I should see even greater results! We will make it through this! Signed, Hopeful
Kath5 years ago
Hi Annabelle I too suffer with hair loss but it started over 10 years ago but in peri menopause has increased quite rapidly over the last 3/4 years. I am convinced my hormones have had a lot to do with it but the dermatologist I saw wasn’t convinced. I noted it started 10 years ago about the same time when I had the mirena coil which is hormonal so recently had this removed. I was referred to a dermatologist as have lost my eyebrows and a lot of my hair from the front and top of my head - I agree it is very distressing for a women and my hair is literally the only treat I spend money on and means a lot to me so have struggled with it. I have been diagnosed with frontal fibrosing alopecia but currently only been offered a topical steroid treatment but the hair loss continues- the pandemic hasn’t helped as appointments are constantly delayed and treatment. I know I have a particular type of alopecia but I find the alopecia uk website useful maybe worth a look? Also the type of alopecia I have isn’t particularly related to colouring hair or stress from what I’ve researched although have been off work with stress recently but think I’m in a catch 22 with I am stressed about the hair loss or is the stress causing hair loss??♀️ Love and peace x
Audra5 years ago
I started losing my hair 8 years after having a baby at 40, I also had a messy divorce a year later. I’m now 49 I’ve been having weaves for the last 8 years, but due to lockdown I’ve been natural since April. I’m so upset my hair is now worse than ever and is so fine and I have bald patches everywhere which again is stressing me out. I’m still having regular periods but have some tell tale sighs of menopause anxiety and mood swings being the worse. I’ve given in to my fear of wigs and now have a partner that loves me so I’m embracing life and counting my blessings. Would love to hear of any treatments shampoos that you can recommend I will try anything xx
MelB4 years ago
I’m experiencing the same hair loss, I’ve too had a lot of trauma in the past 2 years, I used to wear weaves and wigs as well but they damaged my hair line, I’m currently wearing my hair natural but considering chopping it off as the front and sides are bad and I’m not sure what else I can do to get the hair to grow back, I’m taking biotin but to early to tell if working If anyone has any advice please share. Xx
Jennifer5 years ago
I’ve noticed some hair thinning on my head but it seems the hair growth has transferred to my face now. Has anyone else noticed this? Ugh
Tiffany5 years ago
I have noticed my hair thin drastically but not into bald spots and also an increase in facial hair to the point I can have a shadow on my upper lip and the hair seems to grow all over my face and it’s so long I have no idea where it has come from!
Tammy5 years ago
Hi Jennifer, I also have thinning hair on my head. And a weird “part” made itself very visible in the top also. I have always had light hair on my face, closer to the ears. But recently I’ve noticed one hair grows to at least 1 1/2” in that area if I don’t keep watch (also ugh)! I’ve just been using an electric shaver for all facial hair growth which works good!
Amy4 years ago
Look into DIM by Smoky Mountain Nutrition (can buy on Amazon too). I took for awhile and my facial hair was gone. I beed to buy again.
Jennifer5 years ago
I’ve also experienced this! I’m 49 and in December I will have not had my period for a year. For me, decreased estrogen seems to cause it. Since this has been going on for some time, I’ve tried lots of options. Evening primrose, flax, black currant oil, red clover all have helped. At some point, I hit a wall and these supplements stop working and I look for an alternative. I’ve also tried low dose HRT. Besides hair loss, I suffer from early morning waking and hot flashes. I’d love any tips anyone has out there!! I just read an article that said of you don’t deal with your hormone problems when you are younger- painful periods, infertility- you will have a much more difficult menopause. That is me! Doctors only suggested the pill, but I feel like the root cause was never addressed.
Clara4 years ago
Hi. I also tried absolutely everything for early waking and hot flashes. Absolutely terrible! I am now on Gabapentin 300mg. 3x a day and Oxybutynin Extended Release 5mg 1x a day. I take the Oxybutynin at night. Gabapentin I take 1 in morning and 2 at night. I sleep like a baby and gotta say the hot flashes are under control. The Oxybutynin has helped immensely although it has not been approved by FDA for this. Try it. Nothing else works. Good luck.
Laura P.5 years ago
Following- same here. Just started a shampoo that’s supposed to help, but so far no improvement
Ehn5 years ago
Hello, I am a huge advocate for Ayurvedic hair care. It’s time based, there is a learning curve to figure out what suits you as an individual/preferences. Ziziphus, Bhringraj, Amla .. there is a variety of ingredients to combine or use singularly, all giving benefits. Herbs for health scalp and shiny hair! I would be cautious with the henna at first, as it is trial and error. Even then, lots of resources but do your research. By far the best I found by: Christine Shahin Natural Hair Coloring: how to use henna and other herbal pigments for chemical free beauty. Hands down, my routine. Affordable, no chemicals, all goodness.
Sam5 years ago
Hi, I’m 43 and have been having perimenopausal symptoms (or at least started to notice them) since the start of the year. My symptoms have been mood swings, irregular bleeding (I’ve been bleeding continuously for the last 50 days or so) and hair loss. My hair isn’t particularly thick but the loss has really sped up in the last 6 months. It is my most devastating symptom and I am booked in to see a trichologist in about a week - hoping for a miracle! I also have a pelvic prolapse which causes issues with my bladder and bowel! Whoever said life begins at 40 clearly didn’t have a cervix!!!!
Sara, London5 years ago
Biotin supplements helped me massively with hair loss. Good luck!
Wendy5 years ago
I’ve always had fine hair but noticed hair loss after having my first child 12 years ago. I then had quite dramatic hair thinning around the front and top of my head just before perimenopause. It seemed to happen overnight and to say I was devastated was an understatement. I tried treatments and shampoos and nothing helped until I tried Viviscal supplements and I can’t recommend them enough. You have to be patient and give it a good 3 months to see its effects, as hair doesn’t grow overnight! If I needed proof of its effectiveness, I ran out a couple of years ago when I was on holiday. By the time I got back and got round to reordering a few weeks later, I noticed a drastic change to my hair. I have never been without a backup stock since. Good luck to everyone. Hormones suck.
Monique5 years ago
I am 49 and have been peri for 10 years however on month 7 of no period. Family history suggests menopause by 50. I have very thick curly hair and was experiencing extra hair loss. I have changed to organic products. Oway products and only using my fingers to detangle my hair in the shower. It has helped tremendously. Good luck in your journey.
Elizabeth5 years ago
Every time I change my thyroid meds I lose hair. I just had to change and I’m still losing it. Something easy to check.
KayM5 years ago
My hair falls out and it’s everywhere. I’m not bald either but my thick hair has thinned out to the point my hairdresser commented. I wash my hair, it’s on the floor of the bath. I brush my hair, it’s fallen out on the floor. It’s on the pillow, covers and clothes. I hate it and it frightens me. I’m about to start HRT gel which I’ve read can help with hair loss
Stacey5 years ago
I have a low thyroid condition, I’ve bought perfectil for hair tablets, does anyone know if it’s safe to take with thyroid medication
Vikki4 years ago
Get your iron levels checked. I was in the ‘normal’ range but low and iron needs to be over 70 for hair health. Dr prescribed iron supplements and my hair loss stopped. Same thing happened to my mum. Good luck x
MelB4 years ago
Yes I’ve also noticed my hair thinning at the front to the degree that I’m having to cover up the patches with hair fibres, I’m finding ur quite distressing. Not sure what to do considering cutting my hair off and just starting again
Wendy4 years ago
I’ve heard that Saw Palmetto and Collagen work to regrow hair. This will be my next experiment. One thing for sure is that beauty requires a lot of nutrients so let’s make sure we’re covering the basics: a good quality multivitamin, minerals, Omega3, Zinc, vitamin D, biotin. Also adrenal support products like AdrenaMax from Xymogen because all the pero-menopause symptoms are due to the ovaries lowering function and now the adrenal glands have to pick up the load but one is undernourished and stressed, no wonder we’re having a roller coaster of symptoms. All the best.