Hair Growth in Menopause: Why Your Hair Patterns May Be Changing

Why Your Hair May Be Changing in Midlife

Have you noticed more hair appearing on your chin while the hair on your head seems thinner? Perhaps your eyebrows look sparser, your underarms have less hair than they used to, or your pubic hair has become noticeably thinner or patchy.

These are not always the changes women expect during perimenopause and menopause. Hair changes are often discussed in terms of scalp thinning or unwanted facial hair, but aging and hormonal shifts can affect hair in many areas of the body, including places women may feel embarrassed to mention.

Estrogen, progesterone, and androgens such as testosterone influence the hair growth cycle in different ways. As hormone levels change during midlife, some women notice increased coarse hair in certain areas and reduced hair density in others. Genetics, aging, thyroid function, nutrition, medications, and other health conditions can also contribute.

Understanding the pattern of change can help you decide what to track, what to discuss with a healthcare professional, and which treatments may help.

How Menopause Can Change Hair Growth Throughout Your Body

Scalp: Thinning hair and a wider part

Scalp hair loss is one of the most noticeable hair changes during midlife. You might see more scalp along your part, less volume at the crown, a thinner ponytail, or increased shedding when you brush or wash your hair. Female-pattern hair loss often develops gradually and can become more noticeable around menopause.

Other causes include thyroid conditions, iron deficiency, significant stress or illness, certain medications, and nutritional deficiencies. Identifying the cause matters because treatment options and the likelihood of regrowth differ. Read Hair Loss During Menopause: How Estrogen Decline Affects Your Hair for more detail on scalp thinning, possible causes, and treatment options.

Chin, upper lip, and jawline: More coarse facial hair

Some women develop darker, coarser hairs on the chin, upper lip, jawline, or neck during perimenopause and after menopause. Hormonal changes and the way individual hair follicles respond to androgens can contribute to this shift. Facial hair growth and scalp thinning can occur at the same time because follicles in different areas respond differently to hormonal signals.

For causes, hair removal methods, and medical treatment options, see Facial Hair Growth After Menopause: Causes & Treatment Options.

Pubic hair: Thinning, patchiness, and reduced density

Pubic hair can become thinner, sparser, or less coarse as women age. Some women notice a gradual reduction in overall density, while others see more obvious gaps or patchy areas. The change may be subtle at first, making it easy to dismiss or feel uncomfortable bringing up.

Age-related changes and shifts in reproductive hormones may contribute to reduced pubic hair growth. However, patchy or substantial hair loss can also have other causes, including skin conditions, friction, autoimmune hair-loss conditions, nutritional deficiencies, and thyroid problems.

Gradual thinning can occur with age, but distinct bald patches, sudden loss, itching, pain, redness, scaling, or changes in the vulvar skin deserve medical evaluation. A clinician can help distinguish an age-related change from a condition that needs treatment.

Underarms: Less hair than before

Some women notice that their underarm hair grows more slowly, becomes finer, or is less dense than it used to be. Changes in aging hair follicles and the hormonal environment may contribute.

Underarm hair thinning is not specific to menopause, though. If the change is pronounced, happens quickly, or occurs alongside thinning in other body areas, mention it to your healthcare professional. Thyroid conditions and other health factors can affect body hair growth.

Eyebrows: Sparse areas, especially toward the outer edges

Eyebrows can become thinner with age, and some women notice that the outer third becomes especially sparse. Hormonal changes may be part of the picture, but eyebrow thinning can also be associated with thyroid disease, skin conditions, autoimmune disorders, and repeated hair removal.

New or progressive eyebrow loss is worth discussing with a clinician, particularly if you also have scalp thinning, changes in your skin, or other symptoms. The pattern can help guide an evaluation.

Eyelashes: Less fullness

Eyelashes may become finer or less dense with age. Changes in the hair growth cycle, inflammation of the eyelids, certain medications, and other conditions can affect eyelash growth, so a noticeable change should not automatically be attributed to menopause.

If eyelash loss is sudden or patchy, or if you have eyelid irritation, redness, or discomfort, seek medical advice.

Arms and legs: Finer or sparser body hair

Hair on the arms and legs can become lighter, finer, or less dense as women age. Some women notice this change alongside reduced underarm or pubic hair, while others see little difference.

Body hair growth is influenced by age, genetics, and hormones, but the pattern is not a reliable way to determine an individual hormone level. Widespread or rapid hair loss, especially when accompanied by other physical changes, deserves a closer look.

Why Can Hair Grow in Some Places and Thin in Others?

Hair follicles are not all alike. Follicles on the scalp, face, pubic area, and other parts of the body differ in their growth cycles and sensitivity to hormonal signals. Androgens can stimulate coarse hair growth in some areas while contributing to scalp follicle miniaturization in people who are genetically susceptible to female-pattern hair loss.

Meanwhile, changes in estrogen and other reproductive hormones during the menopausal transition may influence hair growth and texture. Aging also affects follicles independently of menopause. The result can be a combination of changes that seem contradictory: more coarse chin hair, less pubic or underarm hair, and reduced scalp density.

If several changes begin around the same time, consider the overall pattern rather than looking at each one in isolation. Note when each change started, whether it is progressing, and whether you have noticed other changes in your health. Sharing these details together can help a healthcare professional decide whether hormonal changes, another condition, or several contributing factors may be involved.

Can Hair Grow Back After Menopause?

Sometimes. Whether hair regrows depends on the type of hair loss and its underlying cause. Menopause does not automatically mean that all thinning is permanent, but regrowth is not guaranteed either.

• Temporary shedding: Hair loss triggered by significant stress, illness, surgery, rapid weight loss, or another temporary disruption may improve after the trigger is addressed. Visible recovery can take months because hair grows in cycles.
• Hair loss linked to a treatable condition: Hair growth may improve when a contributing problem, such as a thyroid disorder or iron deficiency, is treated.
• Female-pattern hair loss: Treatment such as topical minoxidil can help some women maintain or regrow hair, but results vary and continued treatment is generally needed to maintain benefits.
• Scarring hair loss: Conditions that permanently damage hair follicles can prevent regrowth in affected areas, which is one reason early assessment matters.

Good nutrition and gentle hair care can support overall hair health, but supplements do not reliably regrow hair in women who do not have a deficiency. Biotin supplements in particular can interfere with some laboratory tests, including tests used to assess thyroid function. Tell your healthcare professional about any supplements you take before blood work.

For more on treatment choices and the causes of scalp thinning, visit our guide to hair loss during menopause.

When Should You Get Hair Changes Checked?

Gradual changes in hair density can occur with age, but some patterns warrant an appointment rather than waiting to see whether they improve.

• Hair loss that begins suddenly or progresses quickly.
• Distinct bald patches on the scalp, eyebrows, pubic area, or elsewhere on the body.
• Hair loss accompanied by scalp or skin pain, redness, itching, scaling, or scarring.
• Rapid development of coarse facial or body hair, particularly alongside new severe acne, a deeper voice, or other signs of increased androgen activity.
• Hair changes accompanied by other symptoms that could point to a thyroid problem, nutritional deficiency, or another underlying condition.

A primary care clinician or dermatologist can examine the affected areas, review your medical history and medications, and decide whether targeted testing is appropriate. Depending on the findings, evaluation may include thyroid function or iron studies, among other tests. A broad hormone panel is not automatically necessary for every woman with hair changes.

If you are experiencing several new symptoms during perimenopause or menopause, our menopause symptom diary can help you record when they started and prepare for a more productive appointment. You can also use our guide to finding a menopause specialist if you want help discussing the broader hormonal picture.

Does Hormone Therapy Help With Hair Changes?

Menopausal hormone therapy may be appropriate for certain menopause symptoms, but it is not a universal treatment for hair loss or unwanted hair growth. Evidence that hormone therapy reliably restores scalp, pubic, or body hair is limited, and the effect can depend on the underlying cause and the treatment used.

Do not start, stop, or change hormone therapy solely to treat a hair change without discussing the potential benefits and risks with your healthcare professional. If you are considering hormone therapy for other menopause symptoms, our HRT 101 guide explains the main options, and Estradiol & Progesterone: Your HRT Explained covers how these hormones are used in treatment.

What Can You Do About Changing Hair Patterns?

The best approach depends on where you're noticing changes, how quickly they developed, and what is causing them. You may be able to manage some changes at home, while others benefit from a medical evaluation or targeted treatment.

• For unwanted facial hair: Tweezing, shaving, waxing, depilatory products, laser hair reduction, electrolysis, and prescription treatments are possible options. The right choice depends on your hair, skin, preferences, and medical history. See Facial Hair Growth After Menopause: Causes & Treatment Options.
• For thinning scalp hair: Ask about the cause before investing in supplements or hair-growth products. Treatments such as topical minoxidil can help some types of hair loss, and correcting an underlying problem may improve growth. Learn more in Hair Loss During Menopause: How Estrogen Decline Affects Your Hair.
• For thinning pubic or underarm hair: Gradual changes may be age-related, but sudden loss, distinct patches, irritation, or changes in the surrounding skin deserve evaluation. Avoid harsh products on sensitive skin, and mention these changes to your healthcare professional if they concern you.
• For sparse eyebrows or eyelashes: Avoid assuming that age or menopause is the only explanation. Thyroid conditions, skin disorders, medications, and other factors can contribute. A clinician can help identify the cause before you try treatments near your eyes.
• For changes in several areas at once: Write down which areas have changed, when you first noticed the changes, and whether other symptoms developed around the same time. A menopause symptom diary can help you organize these observations for your appointment.

Gentle hair and skin care, adequate nutrition, and avoiding hairstyles that pull tightly on the scalp can support hair health. However, supplements are unlikely to restore hair growth unless they address a genuine nutritional deficiency, and no single home remedy works for every type of hair loss.

If several changes have appeared during perimenopause or menopause, consider discussing the full pattern with a healthcare professional rather than focusing on one area at a time. A menopause-informed clinician can help you consider hormonal changes alongside other possible causes and decide whether further evaluation or treatment is appropriate.

The Bottom Line

Hair changes during perimenopause and menopause can affect much more than the hair on your head. You may notice coarse facial hair, thinning scalp hair, less pubic or underarm hair, sparse eyebrows, or changes in body hair on your arms and legs. These changes can happen together, even though different follicles respond differently to hormones, aging, and other influences.

Notice what is changing and whether several changes began around the same time. You do not need to feel embarrassed about discussing pubic hair or other private areas with a healthcare professional. These are legitimate questions about your health, and describing the full pattern can help identify the cause and the options that may help.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider regarding any symptoms or health concerns, and before making changes to medication, supplements, or treatment plans.

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Managing menopause symptoms can feel overwhelming, especially when effective solutions seem hard to find. From unexpected skin changes to frustrating hot flashes, these shifts can impact daily life and overall well-being. Explore our Symptom Relief page to discover products that other women have found helpful in managing their symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

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Want to dive deeper into menopause and its symptoms? Visit our Resources page, where you’ll find a collection of studies, articles, and books from trusted experts. Whether you're looking for the latest research or practical insights, these resources can help you better understand your body and make informed decisions about your menopause journey.

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References

1. PubMed. (2011). Physiological changes in scalp, facial and body hair after the menopause: a cross-sectional population-based study of subjective changes.
2. Harvard Health Publishing. (2024). Treating female pattern hair loss.
3. Verywell Health. Can Hair Loss Be a Symptom of Menopause?
4. Mayo Clinic. Hirsutism.

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