Hormonal Imbalance

• Significant hair loss can happen during menopause. Estrogen levels rapidly decline, resulting in an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone as well as heightened sensitivity to testosterone at the hair-follicle level.
  
  

Genetics

• Some women have androgenetic alopecia (AGA) or genetic hair thinning, where a testosterone-derived hormone called dihydrotesterone (DHT) shrinks a majority of hair follicles and makes it more difficult for hair to grow. Menopause can worsen pre-existing AGA by increasing testosterone and DHT.
  
  

Medication Side Effect

• Hair loss can be a side effect of certain medications used to treat menopause-related symptoms such as high blood pressure, bone diseases or depression.
  
  

Clinical Treatments

• See a dermatologist or hormone specialist to evaluate your hair, hormones and medical condition. He may recommend hormone therapy to balance hormone levels, the medication spironolactone to block DHT, or hair grafting if other treatments fail.
  
  

Over-The-Counter Treatments

• Certain shampoos such as Nizoral and Rogaine can be used to treat AGA, though they usually take several months to see results. Some women may benefit from certain supplements including Biotin Forte, black cohosh and chaste berry.