Hair loss in women during menopause: Causes

Hair loss is an everyday occurrence – each day we lose up to 60 hairs. Should, however, more than 100 hairs collect in your brush on a daily basis, then it's time to look for the cause/trigger. If the hair becomes thinner, falls out prematurely or the hairline recedes, this can be due to a number of reasons. Here you will find an overview of the possible causes of hair loss (alopecia) in women during menopuase.

Androgenetic alopecia

(menopausal hair loss)

Androgenetic alopecia (hair loss caused by male hormones) is primarily triggered by hormonal changes during and after the menopause. The cause is the increased influence of the male hormone (testosterone) on the hair growth cycle and the hair roots.

Our hair's growth cycle

Overview of the hair root growth cycle

Our hair‘s growth cycle is divided into three phases: The active growth phase, the transition phase and the resting phase. Hair production takes place during the first phase, the active growth phase (anagen). This process can last between two and six years. This is followed by a transition phase (catagen), lasting a few weeks, during which the hair gradually separates from the hair root. In the third phase, the resting phase (telogen), the hair separates fully from the hair root and falls out. The hair root regenerates. This can take between two and six months. The process now comes full circle and the new active growth phase starts – the hair root produces a new hair.

The hormone balance influences hair growth

The complete cycle can take place over several years and the timing differs for each hair. Each individual hair has a maximum number of growth cycles. Which means that at the end of these cycles, the hair can no longer grow back.
At the start of the menopause the level of female hormones (estrogen) decreases. Consequently the influence of testosterone, which might has a negative impact on the hair roots, increases. This might causes a hormonal imbalance and the hair growth cycles may be shortened. This may then result in thinner hair and shortened regrowing hair. Find out more about the signs here.

Stress-related hair loss in women

Stress is also a possible trigger for hair loss in women. If there is an imbalance in the energy process, e.g. due to stress at work or lack of sleep, this might lead to reduced hair growth and hair loss. We have developed Plantur 39 to help restore the balance to this process.

Further causes of hair loss in women

  • Environmental factors, i.e. unbalanced diet, fast food, crash diets and certain medications might lead to hair loss as an undesired side effect.
  • Tight hair styles and brushing the hair roughly may also be responsible for hair loss if the hair roots are subjected to permanent pulling / pulling forces.
  • Hair loss can also be a side effect of certain diseases, e.g. hypothyroidism. In such cases, please consult your doctor.