PERIMENOPAUSE AND MENOPAUSE
Menopause Hair Thinning
Hair thinning may become more noticeable around perimenopause or after menopause. The timing alone does not tell us the cause. At Carmen Du Preez Trichology in Perth, your history, hair and scalp are considered together to help you understand possible contributing factors and practical next steps.
Detailed history · Scalp assessment · Perth CBD
Hair changes can feel personal.
A helpful place to start is understanding what has changed.
WHAT YOU MAY NOTICE
Has your hair started to feel different?
A wider part or more scalp visible around the crown
A thinner ponytail or less volume than before
More hair in the shower or on your brush
Hair feeling finer, or a change in texture
Scalp itching, flaking, redness or tenderness
Changes that began around menopause or a medication change
UNDERSTANDING THE PATTERN
Shedding, pattern thinning and other factors can overlap.
It is important not to assume every hair change is hormonal. The pattern, timing and scalp findings help guide which questions need further investigation.
1
Gradual pattern thinning
Female pattern hair loss often causes gradual thinning over the top of the scalp, with a wider part or reduced density around the crown. It is more common after menopause, but can occur earlier.
2
Increased shedding
Increased shedding means more hairs falling out than usual. Telogen effluvium can follow illness, stress, weight loss or medication changes. Shedding and pattern thinning can overlap.
3
Other contributing factors
Low iron, thyroid changes and other health or nutritional factors may contribute to shedding. Scalp symptoms and hair breakage also need to be considered, rather than assuming every change is hormonal.
Seek medical advice for sudden or patchy loss, scalp pain, redness or scaling. These changes should not simply be put down to menopause. You can contact your GP without a trichology consultation first; they can refer you to a dermatologist if needed.
YOUR CONSULTATION
Looking at your hair, scalp and history together.
1
Your history and timing
I would ask when the change began, whether it was sudden or gradual, and about menopause, health, medication, diet and previous hair care or treatments. Bring a medication and supplement list, and recent relevant blood results if you already have them.
2
Hair and scalp assessment
I would look at the distribution of thinning, shedding, hair shaft changes and scalp symptoms. Trichoscopy may be used where appropriate to look more closely at the scalp and hair, alongside your history.
3
Practical next steps
The consultation helps you understand possible contributing factors and suitable next steps. Medical testing, diagnosis and prescription treatment belong with your GP or dermatologist; referral guidance and follow-up may be discussed where appropriate.
Before changing HRT, supplements or treatments
If you notice hair changes after starting, stopping or changing HRT or another medicine, discuss the timing with your prescribing doctor. Do not change prescribed medication on the basis of hair concerns alone.
Relevant blood tests may help investigate some contributing factors, but do not explain every cause of hair loss. Supplements do not address every cause of thinning.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Menopause hair thinning FAQs
Related information
Hair shedding and telogen effluvium
Female hair thinning after menopause