Quick answer: during perimenopause and menopause, falling oestrogen levels change the hair and scalp. Many women notice drier, more brittle hair, a change in texture, a dry or itchy scalp and, for some, thinning. In one UK study of more than 750 women after menopause, 41% reported some hair loss and 35% said their hair had become drier. You can't change your hormones with a shampoo, but the right care can make a real difference to dryness, breakage, frizz and scalp comfort. If you're losing a lot of hair, see your GP.
How does menopause affect your hair?
Oestrogen helps keep hair in its growing phase for longer and supports the scalp's natural oils. As levels fall through perimenopause and menopause, the balance shifts, and androgens (the hormones often thought of as "male") have relatively more influence on the hair follicles. The result is different for everyone, and genetics, stress, diet and general ageing all play a part too.
The most common changes are:
- Dryness: hair feels rougher and less soft, and loses shine.
- Brittleness and breakage: hair snaps more easily, especially at the ends.
- Texture changes: hair can become frizzier, coarser or wiry, and some women find straight hair turns wavy.
- A dry, flaky or itchy scalp.
- Thinning: finer strands and less volume, often spread across the whole scalp or seen as a widening parting.
- Greying, with grey hair often feeling coarser than before.
Why does hair get dry and brittle during menopause?
The scalp produces sebum, a natural oil that coats and protects the hair. Lower oestrogen can mean less sebum, so the scalp feels drier and the hair gets less natural conditioning along its length. Without that protective layer, the outer cuticle of the hair can lift, which makes hair feel rough, look dull and tangle and break more easily.
It's a very common experience. In a study published in the British Journal of Dermatology in 2011, researchers asked 758 women about changes to their hair after menopause. 35% reported increased dryness, while only 3% said their hair had become greasier.
Does menopause cause hair loss?
It can. In the same study, 41% of women reported some scalp hair loss after menopause. The most common pattern was general thinning across the whole scalp rather than bald patches. Hair follicles can also get smaller over time, so each hair grows finer and the hair looks less dense overall.
The figures come from what women reported themselves, and not everyone notices significant changes. Some hair loss at this stage of life is also down to ageing, so it can be hard to tell exactly what's caused by menopause.
Perimenopause hair loss: can it start before menopause?
Yes. Perimenopause is the stage before your periods stop completely, when hormone levels start to rise and fall unevenly. It often begins in your mid-40s and can last several years, and hair changes such as shedding, thinning, dryness and texture changes can start during this time, well before menopause itself. Because periods may still be fairly regular, many women don't connect their hair changes with perimenopause at first.
Menopausal thinning is different from seasonal shedding, the temporary increase in hair fall many people notice in autumn. Read more in our guide to seasonal hair shedding.
How menopause affects the scalp
The scalp is skin, so the changes many women notice on their face and body during menopause can show up on the scalp too. It can become drier, more sensitive and more easily irritated, which can mean itching, tightness or flaking. Hot flushes and night sweats can add to scalp discomfort, and some women find their scalp reacts to products they've used for years.
How to care for your hair during menopause
1. Keep washing, but gently
A dry scalp still needs cleansing. Washing regularly, at least twice a week, keeps the scalp clean and comfortable. Use warm rather than hot water, massage shampoo in gently with your fingertips, and choose a mild formula that won't strip moisture.
2. Put moisture back into the lengths
Apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends rather than the scalp, and add a hair mask once or twice a week. For dry hair, the Nourishing Shampoo and Nourishing Hair Mask from our Dry Hair range use organic oat extract, illipé butter and organic coconut oil to restore softness, shine and elasticity.
3. Strengthen brittle hair and tame frizz
If your hair snaps easily, the Restructurizing Shampoo from our Damaged Hair range helps strengthen and smooth the hair fibre. If your texture has turned frizzy or unruly, the Anti-Frizz range, including Hydrating Shampoo, smooths the cuticle so hair feels softer and is easier to manage.
4. Soothe a dry, itchy or sensitive scalp
Choose extra-gentle formulas. Sensitive Scalp Shampoo is mild enough for everyday use, and for red, irritated or itchy scalps, Dermo-Calming Shampoo and the leave-on Scalp Comfort Cream use organic prickly pear, aloe and mallow to calm and soothe. All three are COSMOS Natural certified. Browse our itchy and sensitive scalp collection.
5. Give fine hair more body
If your hair feels finer or flatter, heavy products can weigh it down further. A lightweight volumising shampoo such as Volume Up Shampoo cleanses without weighing hair down and gives a fuller, thicker-looking base for styling.
6. Handle with care
Detangle from the ends upwards with a wide-tooth comb, and a leave-in spray such as Leave-In Hair Detangler helps the comb glide through without tugging. Blot hair with a soft towel rather than rubbing, avoid very tight styles, and try a smooth pillowcase like the Eco-Silk Pillow Case to reduce friction overnight.
7. Turn the heat down
Use heated tools less often and at lower temperatures, and always protect your hair first. Replenishing Thermal Care Serum protects against heat up to 230°C.
8. Look after yourself from the inside
Hair is not a priority for your body, so it is often the first thing to suffer when your diet is lacking. Eat a varied diet with enough protein, and drink plenty of water, especially if you're having hot flushes or night sweats.
Does HRT help menopause hair changes?
Some women say their hair improves on HRT, but there isn't much research on HRT and hair, and hair changes alone aren't usually a reason to start it. If you're considering HRT for your menopause symptoms, talk it through with your GP.
When to see your GP
Changes in your hair during menopause are common, but they aren't always caused by menopause. Your GP may want to rule out other causes, such as thyroid problems or low iron. Make an appointment if:
- you're losing a lot of hair, or it's coming out in clumps;
- you notice bald patches, or your parting is widening quickly;
- your scalp is painful, red, scaly or very itchy;
- the changes are affecting how you feel about yourself.
If you've had cancer treatment, speak to your care team before starting any new treatment for hair loss.
Frequently asked questions
Can menopause change your hair texture?
Yes. Many women find their hair becomes drier, frizzier or coarser, and some notice straight hair turning wavy. Hormonal changes can affect the hair follicle, which shapes the hair as it grows.
Can shampoo stop menopause hair loss?
No. No shampoo can change the hormonal causes of menopausal hair loss. Good haircare helps with what you can see and feel: dryness, breakage, frizz, a comfortable scalp and fuller-looking hair. If you're worried about hair loss, speak to your GP.
What's the best shampoo for menopause hair?
It depends on what's changed for you. For dryness, choose a nourishing, moisturising shampoo; for a sensitive or itchy scalp, an extra-gentle formula; for fine, flat hair, a lightweight volumising shampoo.
Does menopause make your scalp itchy?
It can. Lower oestrogen can leave the skin, including the scalp, drier and more sensitive. A gentle shampoo and a soothing leave-on scalp product can help. If itching is severe or doesn't settle, see your GP or pharmacist.
Does perimenopause cause hair loss?
It can. Hormone levels start to fluctuate during perimenopause, often from your mid-40s, and some women notice more shedding or thinning, or drier hair, years before their periods stop.
Will my hair go back to normal after menopause?
Everyone is different. Some changes, such as dryness, can be managed well with the right routine. Hair also changes naturally with age, so it may not return exactly to how it was before.
Top Tips from our Education Manager Lorraine Matic
Ladies, has menopause left your hair dry, brittle, and your curls disappearing? Here are my top tips!
✨ 1. Moisturise! Use a gentle shampoo and a rich conditioner to help soften dry hair.
✨ 2. Deep condition weekly. Give your hair some extra TLC to improve softness and manageability.
✨ 3. Love your curls! Use a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to help bring back definition.
✨ 4. Turn down the heat. Reduce straighteners and hot tools to prevent further damage.
✨ 5. Detangle gently. Use a wide-tooth comb and avoid pulling or brushing curls when dry.
✨ 6. Protect those ends! A little hair oil can help reduce friction and improve shine.
✨ 7. Remember, ladies! Damaged hair cannot repair itself, but the right care can make it look and feel healthier.
And if you’re experiencing significant hair changes, speak to your GP to rule out other causes.
Your hair may have changed, but with a little extra love, it can still look gorgeous!
About the author
Charlotte Read has spent six years in the hair industry with Insight Professional and holds a First Class BSc in Business Management and Marketing. She writes with reference to real salons across social media and the wider Insight community, and draws on the Insight office team, who between them bring over 100 years of combined experience on salon floors.
Where technical expertise is needed, Charlotte consults Lorraine Matic, Head of Insight UK Education, who brings over 38 years of global experience in colour, technique and hair science.
References
Ali I, Wojnarowska F. Physiological changes in scalp, facial and body hair after the menopause: a cross-sectional population-based study of subjective changes. British Journal of Dermatology. 2011;164:508–13.
The Menopausal Transition: Is the Hair Follicle "Going through Menopause"? Biomedicines. 2023.