Physiological Changes in Scalp, Facial, and Body Hair After Menopause: A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study of Subjective Changes
December 2010
in “
British Journal of Dermatology
”
Studysummary This study reports two distinct patterns of hair changes in postmenopausal women, linking diffuse generalized scalp hair loss to older age and frontal hair loss to higher facial hair scores and younger age.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
In a study of 758 postmenopausal northern European women, researchers found that 26% reported diffuse scalp hair loss and 9% experienced frontal hair loss, while 39% reported an increase in facial hair, particularly on the chin. Body hair loss was most common at androgen-sensitive sites and correlated with older age. The study identified two patterns of hair change: diffuse hair loss associated with body hair loss and increasing age, and frontal hair loss associated with higher facial hair scores and a relatively younger age. These patterns may indicate different pathophysiological mechanisms, with potential implications for treatment using androgen blockers or 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. The study highlights the need for further research to understand the hormonal influences on hair changes after menopause.
