Can You Have a Hair Transplant After Menopause?

Menopause marks a turning point in a woman’s life. It’s associated with several hormonal fluctuations as a woman’s menstruation cycle come to an end. Menopausal hair loss is one potential consequence. Around 50% of women experience some form of hair loss during menopause¹ – be it thinning or patchiness.

This is understandably a concerning symptom. However, several solutions exist to combat the issue, including a hair transplant for menopause hair loss.

Understanding Menopause and Hair Loss

Menopause is the permanent end of a woman’s menstruation cycles. With the end of the menstrual cycle, the body undergoes a fundamental hormonal shift. Oestrogen levels begin to drop as these levels are maintained by the ovaries. Oestrogen (and progesterone) plays a role in promoting hair growth, density, and fullness. As these hormones decline, hair doesn’t grow as quickly as before².

Alongside the fall in oestrogen, women may experience an increase in androgens, such as testosterone. Testosterone is associated with many of the symptoms of menopause, including hair loss³. It increases facial hair growth and negatively affects scalp hair growth. This hair thinning and loss is known as female pattern hair loss (FPHL). (Remember, male pattern hair loss occurs for the same reason – excess androgen levels.)

Usually, women experiencing hair loss during menopause notice thinning either at the crown, hairline, or both. Targeted transplant procedures can correct these problems.

Signs of Menopause and Hair Loss

Menopause doesn’t cause immediate hair loss. Because hair growth is slow, it takes a while for noticeable changes to appear. The mid-parting may widen, or the hair may appear flatter and less shiny.

Potential signs of hair loss in menopause include⁴:

• More hair accumulates in the hairbrush.
• More hair in the shower drain.
• Increased hair breakage.
• Finding hair on the pillow, clothing, or around the house.

Only once excessive hair shedding has persisted for a while may visible patches appear. In addition to hair loss on the scalp, women may also notice hair growth slows or stops on the legs, arms, armpits, and even the pubic area.

Can You Have a Hair Transplant After Menopause?

Yes. Having a hair transplant is a suitable solution to menopause-related hair loss. Some women notice that the effects of hair loss during menopause are restricted to the perimenopause. This is the period before the complete cessation of periods. However, for others, symptoms persist long after menopause (postmenopause).

It should be noted that menopause is not the only cause of hair loss. Several conditions can lead to hair loss, including anaemia, scalp psoriasis, certain medications, stress, thyroid disease, adrenal insufficiency, and nutritional deficiencies (such as biotin, iron, protein, and zinc)⁵. Treating these causes is part of the diagnostic process for menopausal hair loss.

If the hair loss is confirmed to be related to menopause, then a hair transplant is a viable treatment. It can restore the hairline or crown, restoring previously full and voluminous hair. Many women find it a major confidence booster.

Other Potential Treatments For Menopausal Hair Loss

Alongside a hair transplant for menopause hair loss, women should support their natural hair growth. Consider following these recommendations⁴:

• Eat a Balanced Diet. Correcting nutritional deficiencies and supporting hair growth starts with a healthy diet. Protein, in particular, strengthens hair and hair follicles. Vitamins A, B, C, and D and minerals zinc, iron, copper, selenium, calcium, and magnesium all play a role in hair growth. Healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, protect your skin and hair. In some cases, supplementation may be necessary.
• Gentle Hair Care. Excessive brushing or styling can damage the hair. Avoid blow dryers, straighteners, curling irons, and other hair tools that risk breakage. Pulling your hair back tightly affects the roots causing a condition called traction alopecia. Dying also harms the hair – use a natural dye if necessary.
• Stress Relief. Exercises like yoga or meditation can calm your body and help restore your hormone balance. Practising these exercises alleviates any stress-related hair loss.

Hair Transplants for Menopause Hair Loss

For women experiencing significant hair loss, hair transplantation is an effective solution. The procedure removes healthy hair follicles from other parts of the scalp, inserting them into thinning areas. It’s a long-lasting, natural-looking treatment.

At The Treatment Rooms London, our experienced surgeons are responsible for the restoration process. Every situation is unique, requiring a personalised approach suited to your specific needs. Several options are available:

Transplant Methods

Menopause-related hair loss affects every hair follicle. However, hair loss is usually most noticeable at the crown and hairline. Therefore, follicles can be extracted from denser patches of hair. There are two methods for harvesting hair follicles⁶:

• Follicular Unit Transplantation (FUT): This method involves removing a thin strip of skin from the back of the scalp, from which individual hair follicles are harvested and transplanted to thinning areas. FUT is often suitable for those seeking more extensive coverage, as it can provide a higher density of hair in a single session, though it will leave a linear scar which is often hidden by long hair at the back.
• Follicular Unit Excision (FUE): In this technique, individual hair follicles are extracted directly from the scalp using a small punch tool and then implanted into thinning areas. FUE leaves minimal scarring and allows for a more natural hairline, making it a preferred choice for those with mild to moderate hair loss due to menopause.

Our hair transplant procedures focus on FUE or FUT. The entire procedure takes place under local anaesthesia. Following the extraction, the extracted hair follicles are inserted back into the scalp. The surgeon must consider hair depth, angulation, direction, and density to achieve a natural and realistic-looking result.

Hair Transplant Areas

Hair is usually removed from the back or sides of the head. Here, hair growth is the thickest compared to the other areas of the scalp. The transplant location depends on your pattern of thinning. Most patients benefit from either:

• Hairline transplant for menopause hair loss. The hairline is often one of the most noticeable places to experience hair loss. Front and centre, women may feel extremely self-conscious about their appearance. FUE minimises scarring in this region; instead, it fills in the hairline to give a natural, even appearance. Using previous photographs, we can ever achieve a close match to your original appearance.
• Crown transplant for menopause hair loss. The crown is another common location for patchiness. Given that the crown is already relatively sparse compared to the rest of the scalp, women may notice hair loss here first. As before, the hair is transplanted directly into the crown, adjusting for direction to ensure it matches the natural growth pattern and provides a fuller, seamless look.

Not all women will meet either of these categories. During your initial personalised consultation, we’ll evaluate your scalp, advising on the best strategy to achieve a full head of hair. We identify the areas where we can achieve the best results, recommending a suitable treatment plan.

Does Menopause Affect Hair Transplant Procedures

Whether you’re having a hairline or crown transplant for menopause hair loss, several factors can affect the procedure’s success.

• Donor Hair Quality. Despite selecting hair from the denser part of the head, menopause hair is still less resilient than before. Our surgeons try to select the best hair possible from the donor site.
• Post-Menopausal Factors. The hormonal shifts from menopause affect the quality and growth of hair. Transplant hair is sourced from areas that are more genetically resistant to hair loss, but the results may not look exactly the same as before menopause. It all depends on how the appearance and texture of your hair have changed over time.
• Planning Stage. Speak to a specialist surgeon is crucial to achieve your desired look. They can evaluate your individual factors, creating a personalised pain tailored to your hair loss, medication use, hormone status, and overall health. You can also learn what to expect from the procedure.

Conclusion

Menopause and hair loss can be managed effectively through hair transplant options tailored to female hair loss after menopause. For many, a hair transplant for menopause hair loss can restore volume, particularly at the hairline and crown, where thinning is most noticeable. Both FUT and FUE methods offer solutions for hair loss sufferers.

By combining a hairline or crown hair transplant for menopause hair loss with healthy lifestyle choices and stress management, women can address hair loss and regain confidence.

References

1. Chaikittisilpa S, Rattanasirisin N, Panchaprateep R, Orprayoon N, Phutrakul P, Suwan A, Jaisamrarn U. Prevalence of female pattern hair loss in postmenopausal women: A cross-sectional study. Menopause. 2022 Apr 1;29(4):415-20. Available at: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2022/04000/prevalence_of_female_pattern_hair_loss_in.7.aspx
2. Mirmirani P. Hormonal changes in menopause: do they contribute to a ‘midlife hair crisis’ in women?. British Journal of Dermatology. 2011 Dec 1;165(s3):7-11. Available at: https://academic.oup.com/bjd/article-abstract/165/s3/7/6642721
3. Zouboulis CC, Blume-Peytavi U, Kosmadaki M, Roó E, Vexiau-Robert D, Kerob D, Goldstein SR. Skin, hair and beyond: the impact of menopause. Climacteric. 2022 Sep 3;25(5):434-42. Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2022.2050206#d1e269
4. Very Well Health. Can Hair Loss Be a Symptom of Menopause? Available at: https://www.verywellhealth.com/menopause-hair-loss-5218350
5. MedicalNewsToday. 10 Possible Causes and Treatments of Hair Loss. Available at: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/327005
6. THe Treatment Rooms. FUE Vs FUT: Which Hair Transplant Is Best For You? Available at: https://www.treatmentroomslondon.com/hair-transplant-surgery/fue-vs-fut/