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 ”

Iaisha Ali, Fenella Wojnarowska

diffuse scalp hair loss frontal hair loss facial hair body hair loss androgen-sensitive sites androgen blockers 5-alpha reductase inhibitors hormonal influences postmenopausal hair changes

TLDR After menopause, some women lose scalp hair and gain facial hair, with patterns suggesting different underlying causes.

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.

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