Menopause is a natural transition marking the end of a woman’s reproductive years, defined as twelve consecutive months without a menstrual period. This hormonal shift often leads to a variety of changes throughout the body, and hair is no exception. The question of whether body hair stops growing after menopause is complex, as the answer varies dramatically depending on the area of the body. The changes involve both a decrease in hair density and growth speed in some regions and a surprising increase in hair growth in others, driven by the shifting balance of sex hormones.
How Hormones Dictate Hair Growth Cycles
Hair growth follows a cycle with three main phases: anagen (growth), catagen (transition), and telogen (resting). Estrogen, a hormone that declines significantly during menopause, helps to prolong the anagen phase, keeping hair actively growing for a longer period. Before menopause, high estrogen levels support thick, full hair and help to maintain fine, light vellus hair on the body.
The ovaries reduce their production of estrogen and progesterone as a woman transitions into menopause, which disrupts this supportive environment. Meanwhile, the body’s level of androgens, often called “male hormones” like testosterone, generally remains more stable. This creates a relative increase in the androgen-to-estrogen ratio, leading to a stronger androgenic influence on hair follicles that were previously protected by higher estrogen levels. Androgens are responsible for promoting coarse, dark terminal hair, but they can also cause hair follicles on the scalp to shrink.
Hair Thinning and Loss on the Body and Scalp
The loss of estrogen’s protective and growth-promoting effects is seen as a general slowing of hair growth across the body and scalp. On the scalp, the shortened anagen phase means hairs shed more quickly and do not grow back as long or as thick as before. This often results in female pattern hair loss, or androgenic alopecia, which typically appears as a widening part line and decreased density over the crown of the head.
Hair follicles on the arms, legs, and armpits are highly sensitive to the drop in estrogen. Many women notice that the hair in these areas grows back much slower or becomes significantly thinner and finer, sometimes seemingly stopping altogether. Additionally, pubic hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes can experience thinning and loss of density. This widespread reduction in hair growth is a direct consequence of the loss of the estrogenic support.
The Paradox of Increased Facial Hair
In contrast to the thinning seen on the scalp and body, some women experience the appearance of new, coarse hair growth on the face. This condition is called hirsutism and commonly affects the chin, upper lip, and jawline. This is not usually due to an absolute increase in androgens, but rather the dramatic shift in the relative ratio of androgens to the significantly lower estrogen.
Certain hair follicles on the face are highly sensitive to androgens, and when the counteracting influence of estrogen is withdrawn, the androgens exert a stronger effect. These sensitive follicles are stimulated to transform fine, light vellus hair into thick, dark terminal hair. This results in the unwanted appearance of “whiskers” or chin hairs. About half of women over the age of fifty may experience some degree of this excessive hair growth.
Options for Managing Menopausal Hair Changes
Managing the hair changes associated with menopause requires addressing both scalp thinning and increased facial hair.
Managing Scalp Thinning
For women experiencing scalp hair thinning, the most common over-the-counter treatment is topical minoxidil, a solution or foam applied to the scalp. It works by helping to prolong the anagen phase and stimulate blood flow to the follicles. Prescription oral medications, such as finasteride or spironolactone, may also be recommended, as they can help by blocking the effects of androgens on the hair follicle. Beyond medication, supporting hair health involves ensuring adequate nutritional intake, particularly:
- Protein
- Iron
- Zinc
- Vitamin D
Managing Facial Hair
For the management of unwanted facial hair, temporary methods include tweezing, waxing, and depilatory creams. More permanent solutions include electrolysis, which destroys individual hair roots, or laser hair removal, which uses light energy to target the pigment in the hair follicle. In cases where facial hair growth is particularly bothersome, a dermatologist may prescribe topical creams like eflornithine to slow hair growth, or oral anti-androgen medications to address the underlying hormonal imbalance.