Menopause & Hair Health: Interview with Charlotte Hunter

May 17, 2024

This month we’ve been chatting to menopause and hormone specialist Charlotte Hunter to gain her insights into how menopause can affect our hair.

Why does Menopause affect hair health?
The transition into menopause is associated with significant hormonal changes. Reproductive hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate and decline, leading to a variety of body-wide symptoms.

Oestrogen is associated with healthy hair; it keeps hair in its growth phase for longer, maintains healthy hair follicles and helps to keep the scalp moisturised and hair glossy. As oestrogen declines, hair growth slows significantly, and it sheds more readily too.

How might this show?
Hair loss is common in menopause, manifesting as general thinning, a widening of the parting, loss of hair at the frontal hairline and/or receding hair at the temples. The hair may not grow as long as it used to, may be drier and may break more easily. Loss of volume and changes in hair texture are also common.

Not all women will experience changes in their hair during menopause and the changes can vary widely from person to person.

Are there any treatments, supplements or diet changes that might help?
There are a number of diet and lifestyle factors that can play a supportive role in hair and general health throughout menopause. 

Ensuring a minimum of 7-9 hours sleep per night, maintaining a healthy body weight, drinking plenty of water, taking light exercise (at least 30 minutes, 4 x per week) and reducing stress are all important. 

Eating a well-balanced, Mediterranean-style diet with plenty of whole foods and fibre, and a generous amount of quality protein at every meal (yes, that includes breakfast!) helps supply the essential nutrients that directly contribute to healthy hormone balance and the growth/maintenance of hair. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, pak choi, cabbage and cauliflower, and foods such as flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, organic soy (tofu, tempeh, unsweetened soy milk) can also be supportive.

In terms of supplementation, ‘Menopause Support’ from Nu Mind Wellness (https://numindwellness.com) combines 40 scientifically backed ingredients expertly blended to help reduce stress, anxiety and support the symptoms of perimenopause, menopause and beyond. You can use the discount code CHARLOTTE20, for 20% off. 

Are there any other hormone conditions that can affect hair health?
Thyroid conditions, such as hypothyroidism or Hashimotos Thyroiditis can affect hair health in a similar way to menopause, leading to hair thinning and loss. This is usually temporary and can be reversed when thyroid health is supported. 

Tell us about your business
At Charlotte Hunter Nutrition we help you to not just manage, but master your menopause. We offer clinical hormone testing, nutritional plans and support to help reduce your menopause symptoms, demystify your understanding of what’s happening to you and enable you to reclaim your life. You can find out more at https://charlottehunternutrition.co.uk 

Charlotte hunter nutritionist