06/01/2026
Hormonal changes during menopause
For women, menopause is one of the most common turning points for hair.
Falling oestrogen levels can leave strands finer, and sensitivity to hormones like dihydrotestosterone (DHT) increases. Cooper explains that “We’ve all got a hormone in our body, which is called DHT, dihydrotestosterone, and it attacks and shrinks hair follicles. Men have more of it, but females during menopause can find that they become more sensitive to it.”
Side effects can be off-putting. “There’s often a lot of side effects – low libido, anxiety, low mood,” she notes. Natural DHT blockers, such as pumpkin seeds, may offer a gentler approach.
Menopause is when many women notice excessive shedding. “Oestrogen is a hair and scalp or skin supportive hormone and when levels become sporadic in perimenopause you can get ongoing bouts of excessive shedding.
“When levels drop and stay low, your individual hairs can thin.”