What Happens to Your Hair During Perimenopause?

As someone who’s researched menopause, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with women in midlife who come to me with the same question: “What’s happening to my hair—and is it just me?”

It’s not just you. During perimenopause, our bodies enter a period where estrogen and progesterone fluctuate so dramatically that it can feel like your body’s no longer your own. And your hair, believe it or not, is a sensitive barometer of that shift.

Hair is often the first place women notice change, but the last place they expect it. You might be feeling stronger in your career, more grounded in who you are, and yet suddenly, you’re pulling hair from the drain, noticing your part widening, or wondering why your once-thick ponytail feels noticeably thinner. For many women, this becomes not just a cosmetic concern, but an emotional one. Hair is identity. Hair is visibility. Hair is self.

What many don’t realize is that each hair follicle has hormone receptors. These follicles respond to internal changes in stress, sleep, and nutrition, especially during the hormonal rollercoaster of midlife. Estrogen plays a key role in prolonging the growth phase of hair (anagen), while excess DHT (a derivative of testosterone) can cause the shrinkage of follicles. When estrogen levels drop and other hormones surge or fluctuate, hair growth patterns can change. Add cumulative life stress and it’s no wonder so many women are seeing their hair—and their sense of self—shift.

Let’s start with what’s normal. We shed about 50-100 hairs a day, and that’s part of the natural hair growth cycle: anagen, catagen, telogen. But when you begin to notice your ponytail feeling thinner or your part widening, that’s more than seasonal shedding. That’s a sign that internal shifts, like hormone fluctuations or metabolic change, are impacting your follicles.

According to our research, 51% of women who have experienced menopause have reported hair thinning. That’s half of us—yet it’s still under-discussed. Hormonal changes during menopause can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle, increasing the likelihood of hair shedding and thinning.

This is where I advocate for a truly whole-body approach. Yes, targeted Nutraceuticals can help support key root causes, such as stress, metabolism, and lifestyle changes. But we also need to manage stress—both emotional and physical—prioritize sleep, support gut health, and nourish our bodies with care. Menopause doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it overlaps with aging, lifestyle changes, and often, the peak of career or caregiving responsibilities. That’s a lot for one body to handle.

That mindset is what led me here, not just as a scientist, but as a woman who is going through it myself. I remember thinking: Where is the research on menopausal women? Where is the care? Too many women feel dismissed or invisible during this time. I wanted to help change that.

For me, it’s not just a professional matter. It’s personal. Because being represented in research isn’t just about health—it’s about worth. And that’s what drives me every day.

That sense of worth is finally being reflected in the culture around us. We’re witnessing a subtle yet significant shift toward more open and honest conversations about menopause, encompassing the emotional, physical, and aesthetic changes it brings. Women are no longer quietly enduring; they’re showing up for themselves and each other, sharing their stories, and demanding the care they deserve.

So here’s what I say to every friend and family member: Speak up and don’t hold back. Ask your doctor about menopause, including any changes to your hair, then advocate for the support you deserve. If you notice thinning, breakage, dullness, or increased shedding, it’s not vanity—it’s biology.

Menopause can feel like the unraveling of who you used to be. But living it myself, I see it differently. It’s a chance to rebuild on your terms, armed with knowledge, compassion, and a toolkit that truly meets the moment. In the end, it’s not about what you’re losing. It’s about learning how to care for yourself with a little more honesty and a lot more kindness.

Dr. Isabelle Raymond is the Senior VP of Global Medical and Clinical Affairs at Nutrafol. With a PhD in biomedical science and years of experience in medical dermatology, aesthetics, and pharmaceutical research, she offers a unique perspective on how Nutrafol is setting the standard in the supplement industry.