Menopause and Hair Loss: What's the Connection?

Menopause is the stage in a woman's life when her menstrual cycles permanently cease. It typically occurs around the age of 50. During this time, the body experiences a hormonal imbalance with a decrease in estrogen and progesterone levels which usually protect the hair, and an increase in androgen levels, naturally occurring hormones in the human body that are responsible for the development of male characteristics. The primary source of estrogen after menopause comes from the conversion of adrenal androgen into estrogen by the enzyme aromatase in peripheral tissues. This hormonal fluctuation is often described as a cause of hair loss in some women.

Scientific studies assert that estrogens play a role in hair growth. Indeed, these hormones are believed to extend the anagen phase although their mechanism of action remains largely unknown. However, with the decrease in estrogen levels, the anagen phase is no longer extended. Additionally, the relative increase in androgen levels leads to an acceleration of the hair cycle and the hair follicle renewal capacity prematurely exhausts. This acceleration of the hair cycle is due to testosterone, an androgen hormone, which secretes dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The latter is known to shorten the anagen phase (growth phase) and increase the telogen phase (shedding phase) although its mode of action is not yet clear. The hair will become thinner and then fall out. It is important to note that the hormonal fluctuations experienced during menopause are unique to each woman, which explains why some of them will not encounter this problem of hair loss.

It is estimated that two-thirds of menopausal women experience hair loss. This hair loss observed during menopause can be linked to genetic factors or external factors such as nutritional deficiencies, or stress.