Your hair and menopause

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The doctor is in Stacy Henigsman DO, MSCP Q How can the menopausal transition affect hair health, and are there any effective treatments out there? A Many people notice hair loss as they go through the menopause transition. This is due to the decline in estrogen levels, an increase in luteinizing hormone levels and relative increase in androgen activity on hair follicles. Estrogen helps protect hair follicles and maintain hair density. As levels fall, these follicles are more susceptible to the negative effects of androgens. There are other contributing factors including age-related changes, genetics, and nutritional deficiencies. Fortunately there are things you can do to help. Supplementing with iron, vitamin D, and zinc can help, especially if you're deficient. Nutraceuticals such as pumpkin seed oil, saw palmetto, and supplements such as Nutrafol have recently been shown to improve hair density, decreased shedding, and quality of life. Adoption of Mediterranean and plant-based diets are also associated with improved hair health as well as overall metabolic health. Topical minoxidil is still considered first line therapy for hair loss and is very effective either by itself or in combination with antiandrogen medications such as spironolactone. There is ongoing research on medications such as finasteride in higher doses and topical antiandrogens. If you prefer to avoid medications or complement your medical treatment, microneedling, platelet-rich plasma, nonablative fractional laser treatment, and low level light therapy have all been shown to be effective in managing menopausal hair loss. Read more Do you have any questions for our menopause experts? Let us know at menopause@healthline.com, and the answer may be featured in an upcoming edition! More resources for you Anxiety and Depression During Perimenopause? Here's Why Dr. Karen Tang explores how hormones, especially estrogen, impact mood, leading to perimenopause anxiety and other symptoms. Watch now > Are Vasomotor Symptoms More Severe in Black Women? Read more > 10 Foods High in Phytoestrogens Read more > Late-Onset Menopause: What Is Causing Your Delay? Read more > Take the next steps in your wellness journey Find a menopause specialist near you Search by specialty, condition, procedures, and more to find top rated professionals in your area. Find care Don't break the bank on meds Find Rx savings with our prescription coupons — we beat competitor pricing 70% of the time. Save now HEALTHY TIP Consider trying acupuncture for menopause symptoms Though more research is necessary, some evidence suggests that acupuncture may help relieve certain menopause-related symptoms, including hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood symptoms. Read more FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM Shop products Get care Shipping info View in browser Unsubscribe Privacy policy We may feature your messages to our inbox within our content. Please do not provide any personal identifiable information. Replies may be edited for length and clarity. For more, see our Privacy Policy. Healthline, Optum Now, and their respective logo(s) are trademarks of RVO Health, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © ‌2026‌ RVO Health, LLC. All Rights Reserved. ‌1101‌ Red Ventures Drive, Fort Mill, SC, ‌29707 ‌