Menopause Hair Loss: Why it happens and what helps

Written by the hair experts at Nanogen

Menopause brings plenty of changes, but one that isn't always talked about is what happens to your hair.

During perimenopause and menopause, you may notice more hair in your brush or shower, your ponytail feeling thinner, or your scalp becoming more visible. You might also notice changes around your parting, temples and hairline, where hair can begin to look less dense.

For many women, these changes can have a real impact on confidence. Your hair can be such a big part of how you see yourself, so noticing it becoming thinner can feel difficult to navigate.

This Hair Loss Awareness Month, we've partnered with The Better Menopause to shine a light on menopausal hair loss and, importantly, explore what you can actually do to support your hair through this stage of life.

So, what happens to your hair during menopause?

The hormonal changes that happen during perimenopause and menopause can affect your hair growth cycle.

As oestrogen levels fluctuate and gradually decline, hair may spend less time in its active growth phase. For some women, this can mean increased shedding, slower growth and a gradual reduction in overall hair density.

You may notice your parting becoming wider, more scalp showing through around the hairline or crown, or simply that your hair doesn't have the same fullness it once did.

It's also worth remembering that menopause isn't necessarily the only reason your hair may be thinning. Genetics, stress, illness, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications and other health conditions can all play a role.

That's why understanding what's happening is the first step.

What can you do to support your hair?

There isn't one magic solution for menopausal hair loss. Instead, think about taking a 360° approach to your hair health.

That means supporting your hair from the scalp, giving your body the nutrients it needs from within and using clever styling and thickening products to help restore the appearance of density while you work on longer-term hair health.

1. Start at the scalp

Your scalp is where healthy hair begins, so it's worth giving it the attention it deserves.

Nanogen Hair Growth Factor Serum has been developed specifically to support thinning hair and the hair growth environment at scalp level. Its formula contains a combination of Pea Sprout Extract, Larix Bark Extract, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-3 and other carefully selected ingredients.

In an independent clinical trial involving 130 participants, the serum was assessed over 8 and 12 weeks.

After 8 weeks, 91% of participants reported visibly thicker hair, while 87% found their scalp was less visible. By 12 weeks, 86% noticed new hair growth.

How long do topical hair treatments take to work?

If you've noticed your hair becoming thinner, it's completely understandable to want to see results quickly. Unfortunately, hair doesn't work that way.

Hair grows in cycles, which means targeted topical treatments need to be used consistently and given time to work.

With Nanogen Hair Growth Factor Serum, noticeable results can typically be seen within 8 to 12 weeks, with the clinical trial showing positive results across this period.

The key is consistency. Applying a treatment once in a while isn't going to give your hair the same opportunity as incorporating it into your regular routine.

Think of it in the same way you would think about skincare: you wouldn't expect to transform your skin overnight, and your hair deserves the same patience.

2. Don't forget what happens from within

Looking after your scalp is only one part of the picture.

Hair is a non-essential tissue, which means that when your body is under nutritional stress, essential functions are prioritised first. A balanced diet providing enough protein, iron, zinc, B vitamins and other nutrients is therefore an important part of supporting healthy hair.

And this is where our collaboration with The Better Menopause comes in.

As their team explains, looking after your gut and overall nutrition during menopause can help support your body's ability to make use of the nutrients you're consuming.

That doesn't mean that taking a supplement or improving your gut health will automatically stop hair loss. Menopausal hair thinning is complex and can have several contributing factors.

But supporting your overall health and nutrition alongside a targeted hair and scalp routine can form part of a more complete approach to looking after your hair during midlife.

It's not one or the other. It's about supporting your hair from every angle.

3. Make your hair look thicker while you work on longer-term hair health

One of the hardest things about hair thinning is that you're dealing with how it looks right now.

Waiting for hair to grow takes patience, and you shouldn't have to put your confidence on hold in the meantime.

This is where hair-thickening fibres and root concealers can make an immediate difference.

Nanogen Hair Fibres are made from 100% natural keratin and are designed to blend with your existing hair, helping to disguise areas where the scalp is more visible and create the appearance of thicker, fuller hair in seconds.

For more targeted areas, such as a widening parting or visible roots around the hairline, Nanogen Root Concealer can help add instant-looking coverage exactly where you need it.

The result isn't about changing your hair overnight. It's about giving you the confidence to style your hair the way you want to today, while you continue looking after it for the future.

4. Thicker hair doesn't start with styling. It starts with washing.

Your haircare routine begins in the shower.

When hair is looking finer or less dense, choosing a quality shampoo and conditioner designed with thinning hair in mind is an important place to start. The right products can help care for your scalp and hair, while helping your hair look and feel thicker and healthier.

Nanogen's shampoo and conditioner range has been developed specifically for different hair needs, helping you build a routine around your hair rather than simply styling over the problem.

From Shampoo Luxe for Women, formulated to cleanse while helping fine, thinning hair feel fuller, to Nanogen conditioners designed to hydrate and condition without weighing hair down, the range helps create the foundations for great-looking hair.

And don't underestimate the basics. Regular washing, conditioning and caring for your scalp can all form part of a healthy haircare routine. When hair is finer, be gentle when brushing and styling, avoid excessive heat where possible and try to minimise tight hairstyles that can place unnecessary tension on the hair.

Thicker-looking hair starts with a good routine, not just a good styling product.

Menopausal hair loss isn't something you have to simply accept

Perhaps the most important thing to remember is that changes in your hair during menopause are common, but that doesn't mean you have to sit back and accept them without doing anything.

Start by understanding what might be contributing to your hair changes. If you're experiencing sudden or significant hair loss, speak to your GP or a qualified healthcare professional to rule out underlying causes such as nutritional deficiencies or other conditions.

Then think about what your hair needs.

Support your scalp. Nourish your body. Start with the right haircare. And use clever thickening products when you want an instant confidence boost.

At Nanogen, we believe thicker-looking hair isn't just about appearance. It's about feeling like yourself again.

And when your hair changes during menopause, you deserve solutions that support both.