Shampoos for thinning hair due to menopause: Options and considerations

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Hair loss is a common symptom of menopause. A person can develop female pattern hair loss during menopause, which is the most common cause of hair loss in females.

Losing hair can be distressing. It can have a significant impact on a person’s quality of life, sometimes leading to symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.

If a person is worried about hair loss, they may wish to contact a doctor or a dermatologist to discuss the cause of their hair loss and possible treatments.

This article discusses what causes hair loss during menopause and how shampoos may help decrease hair loss and potentially encourage hair regrowth. It also lists a range of shampoos a person may wish to consider when looking at thinning hair due to menopause.

Quick links

• Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo
• Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo
• Waterman’s Hair Growth Shampoo
• Bellisso Biotin Shampoo
• ThickTails Stimulating Hair Shampoo
• Nioxin System 4
• Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo
• Pura d’Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo

Changing estrogen levels in a person’s body may link to hair loss during various stages of life, including menopause.

Other causes of hair loss during menopause include genetics, high levels of stress, and some medications.

Nutritional deficiencies may also cause hair loss. Some vitamins and minerals that may influence hair growth include:

• vitamin D
• B vitamins
• vitamin A
• zinc
• selenium
• iron

Learn more about vitamins for hair growth here.

A 2020 study also suggests that low estrogen levels produced by the ovaries during menopause could cause hair loss.

However, studies generally state there is a need for more research to confirm the link between estrogen and hair loss, especially during menopause.

Female pattern hair loss is still not fully understood. Typically, the cause relates to androgen levels. However, some people experience female pattern hair loss without androgens during menopause. The cause may be genetic.

A person should speak with a doctor if they experience hair loss around menopause, as there are many types of female hair loss with different potential causes requiring specific treatments.

Hair loss shampoos include ingredients that may help to prevent hair loss and encourage hair growth. They may also contain ingredients that improve the overall health of a person’s hair.

Popular ingredients in hair loss shampoos include:

• Biotin: A small clinical study has shown evidence of improved hair growth in individuals using products with biotin. However, this study noted that evidence of the efficacy of biotin for hair growth is limited.
• Caffeine: Research has suggested that caffeine may be beneficial in treating hair loss, but very few studies without significant limitations prove this.
• Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG): Found in green tea, EGCG reduced hair loss in mice in an older 2011 study.

Many hair loss shampoos focus on improving the condition of a person’s scalp to encourage hair growth.

Research has demonstrated that shampoos which nurture the scalp with antioxidants and barrier-enhancing agents can decrease shedding and preserve hair health. They may also remove excess scalp oil and residue from the scalp that may block follicles and prevent hair growth.

Oxidative stress on the scalp, sometimes caused by an organism called Malassezia, can contribute to hair loss, according to a 2018 study. The authors write that the condition of the scalp can directly impact hair growth and hair retention, and that shampoos that reduce the presence of Malassezia on the scalp may help prevent hair loss.

Hair loss shampoos include specific ingredients because of their reported benefits on hair growth and their ability to reduce hair loss.

Research sometimes supports the benefits of some of these ingredients.

For example, a 2020 review of existing research into the efficacy of botanical extract saw palmetto for hair growth found that oral and topical saw palmetto may be an effective treatment option for androgenetic alopecia, or male pattern hair loss. However, the study noted that more research is needed to prove the reported benefits of saw palmetto.

Some shampoos contain an ingredient called phyto-caffeine, which effectively reduced hair loss and increased hair strength in a 2020 study.

The sex hormone dihydroxy testosterone (DHT) can trigger hair loss in menopausal people. Hormonal changes that occur during menopause can activate DHT. As a result, many hair loss shampoos contain DHT blockers that help prevent further hair loss.

People who use shampoos to prevent or reverse hair loss can use them regularly, just as they would with any type of shampoo.

Reviews for many of the products included in this article note that it can take 2–3 months for a person to see results.

Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and correct at the time of publication.

Plantur 39 Phyto-Caffeine Shampoo

Plantur 39 states that this shampoo is for people experiencing thinning hair due to menopause.

According to the online product description, the shampoo contains phyto-caffeine to reduce hair thinning and zinc to support hair growth.

In addition, it includes niacin to boost hair fullness and increase nutrient flow to hair follicles.

The product costs $18.45 per bottle and comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee.

Kérastase Densifique Bain Densité Shampoo

This shampoo uses ceramides to protect hair from damage and hyaluronic acid to increase hydration.

The manufacturer claims it makes a person’s hair look thicker and healthier.

The product costs $31.49 for an 8.5 fluid ounce (fl oz) bottle.

Waterman’s Hair Growth Shampoo

The manufacturer states that this shampoo is suitable for people with thinning hair due to menopause.

It includes biotin, caffeine, and argan oil to promote hair growth and strengthen existing hair.

The company also claims that the sulfate– and paraben-free shampoo improves circulation to the scalp to stimulate hair growth.

The shampoo comes in a set with a bottle of conditioner and costs $35.

Bellisso Biotin Shampoo

The manufacturer claims this shampoo helps prevent hair loss and strengthens hair at the follicles. Ingredients include biotin, hydrolyzed keratin, and nutrient-dense botanicals.

The shampoo comes with a bottle of conditioner that the manufacturer claims can block DHT.

The shampoo and conditioner set costs $29.99.

ThickTails Stimulating Hair Shampoo

ThickTails claims this shampoo blocks DHT and contains a hyper-anagen complex combination of ingredients to promote hair growth.

Other hair and scalp nourishing ingredients included in this product are:

• saw palmetto
• caffeine
• vitamin B5
• biotin

The company claims its product is paraben-, sulfate-, and cruelty-free and suitable for color-treated hair.

The shampoo and conditioner set costs $39.95.

Nioxin System 4

This shampoo uses nettle root extract, saw palmetto, niacin, biotin, and B vitamins to unclog hair follicles and promote hair growth.

The company claims the product works well on fine and color-treated hair.

The shampoo comes in a set with a conditioner and a scalp treatment, which costs $29.99.

Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Clinical Densifying Shampoo

Alterna states that this caviar shampoo cleanses the hair gently and reduces the residues and DHT that can cause hair to thin.

The key ingredient in this shampoo is caviar extract, which contains omega-3 fatty acids that the company claims can restore moisture, elasticity, and shine to a person’s hair.

An 8.5 fl oz bottle costs $34.

Pura d’Or Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Biotin Shampoo

This shampoo contains 17 DHT blockers as well as vitamins and minerals that the company claims can encourage hair growth.

Other ingredients include:

• saw palmetto
• pumpkin seed
• nettle
• tea tree oil
• aloe
• niacin

A 16 fl oz bottle costs $29.74.

The following are common questions and answers about shampoos for thinning hair during menopause:

How do I stop hair loss during menopause?

Hormonal changes during menopause can activate DHT, which has been linked to hair loss. Some shampoos contain biotin, which serves to deactivate and reverse the negative effects of DHT.

One 2019 study found that prescription treatments containing 2% ketoconazole, usually prescribed for treating dandruff, may improve hair loss.

Effective treatments such as minoxidil are usually used alongside shampoos and left on the scalp for a longer period. A doctor can prescribe these treatments for use alongside over-the-counter shampoos.

However, there is no reliable method for preventing or reversing hair loss during menopause. A combination of treatments and lifestyle changes may be necessary.

Learn more about treatments for female hair loss here.

Does hair loss from menopause grow back?

Hair loss caused by menopause may not be reversible due to the structural changes in the hair follicle caused by hormonal changes.

However, a person may wish to look into treatments for menopause-induced hair loss. These include lifestyle changes, such as eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and reducing stress, and using certain hair loss medications.

Many people experience hair loss during menopause due to hormonal changes occurring within the body.

Shampoos containing ingredients that promote hair growth and scalp health, such as caffeine, biotin, and antioxidants, may help a person with hair loss, encouraging hair to grow back or reducing the amount of hair they lose.

Usually, topical and oral medications are more beneficial, or a person can add them to their shampoo regimen. A doctor can prescribe treatments or advise on options.

If a person is worried about hair loss or experiencing irritation or other problems with the skin on their scalp alongside hair loss, they may consider contacting a doctor or a dermatologist to seek appropriate treatment.

Symptoms that may indicate an underlying condition include burning, itching, scaling, redness of the scalp, or bald patches. People with these symptoms can visit a dermatologist. The dermatologist can discuss other treatment options or suggest blood tests to rule out thyroid disorders, anemia, hemochromatosis, or other possible causes of hair loss around menopause.