Hair Loss

For most women, it's not one single thing, but a "Hair Stress Cascade"—a chain reaction where hormones, stress, and nutrition collide.

1. The Spark (Hormones): The process begins with declining estrogen and progesterone. These hormones have a protective effect, keeping hair in its "growth" (anagen) phase longer.

2. The Amplifier (Androgens & Stress): As those protective hormones fade, two other factors become more dominant: Androgens (like testosterone) can "miniaturize" the hair follicle, shortening its growth cycle. Cortisol (from chronic stress) can push large numbers of hairs into the "shedding" (telogen) phase all at once.

3. The Fuel (Nutrient Gaps): The follicle is now under hormonal and environmental stress. If it lacks the raw materials it needs to rebuild—like iron, protein, B-vitamins, and Vitamin D—it simply cannot recover.

The Result: The growth phase shortens, the shedding phase accelerates, and new strands grow back thinner and weaker. This is why a holistic approach—one that addresses hormones, stress, and nourishment—is essential.

1. Telogen Effluvium

A sudden, diffuse shedding often triggered by stress, illness, or hormonal change. Usually temporary once balance is restored.

2. Androgenic Alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss)

Gradual thinning at the crown or widening of the part line, related to follicle sensitivity to androgens. Common in perimenopause.

3. Alopecia Areata

Less common, patchy hair loss caused by immune response. If suspected, consult a dermatologist for evaluation.

If your hair loss feels sudden, severe, or emotionally distressing, it’s worth checking in with a healthcare provider.
They can run simple tests for iron, thyroid, or hormones and help rule out underlying causes.

Bringing in professional guidance doesn’t diminish your holistic approach; it complements it. Think of it as expanding your support circle — a team approach that blends wellness with insight.

At NovaPause, we believe in layering science with self-care. Here’s how you can nourish growth from every angle.

FDA-Approved Medical Treatment

·       Minoxidil (Rogaine 5%): The only FDA-approved topical treatment for Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL) in women.

Foundational Nutritional Support

·      Foundational Nutrients (Based on Deficiency Research): Iron, Protein, B-Vitamins, & D3 are crucial raw materials for healthy keratin structure and follicle function.

Botanical Support & Wellness Research

Crucial Note on Botanical Evidence: Claims for these ingredients are based on traditional use, preliminary biological studies, or early clinical research. These claims have not yet met the high standard of Competent and Reliable Scientific Evidence (such as large-scale human randomized controlled trials) required for an unqualified health benefit.

·       Rosemary & Pumpkin-Seed Oils: Preliminary data suggests these ingredients may support a healthy scalp environment and optimize follicular activity; however, definitive clinical trials in women are still emerging.

·       Adaptogens (like Ashwagandha): May help the body manage the stress response (cortisol), thereby supporting the reduction of acute stress-related shedding (Telogen Effluvium).

·       Scalp massage: Encourages blood flow and relaxation.

·       Mindful movement & breathwork: Reduce cortisol and enhance circulation.

·       Hydration & sleep: Vital for hormone regulation and repair.

When to Seek Help

If your hair loss feels sudden, severe, or distressing, speak with a provider. A full hormone panel, thyroid check, and nutrient screen can reveal hidden causes—and bring peace of mind.

Hair loss can quietly affect confidence, social ease, even the way you move through the world. You’re not imagining it. It’s a visible reminder of the inner transition your body is navigating.

Reframing it as a message from your body, rather than a loss, can be deeply healing. It’s an invitation to slow down, listen, and nourish yourself from the inside out — through rest, nourishment, and self-compassion.

If this experience has been emotionally difficult, consider talking with a therapist or counselor who understands the changes that happen in midlife. Sometimes, sharing what you’re feeling helps lift the weight and reconnects you to your confidence and sense of self.

Our Scientific Foundation: Why We Trust These Sources

At Novapause, our "Science + Soul" commitment means our content is built on a foundation of the highest-quality, most trusted sources in medical science.

Trusted Sources

• National Institute on Aging (NIA): As the U.S. government's lead agency for research on aging, the NIA funds the foundational work that helps us understand the deep links between hormonal changes and health during the transition.

• Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN): The SWAN study is the most important multi-site, longitudinal study of women in midlife ever conducted.

• The Journal of the Menopause Society: We follow the clinical guidance and research published by The Menopause Society, whose flagship journal, Menopause, provides the latest data on symptom management, hormone therapy, and the physiological changes during this transition.

Highlighted Research

Recent findings shed light on how hormonal shifts influence hair growth and what may support regrowth during menopause:

• Rinaldi F., et al. (2023) The Menopausal Transition: Is the Hair Follicle “Going through Menopause”?
  This study researched how the hair follicle itself experiences a kind of “mini-menopause,” showing that declining estrogen and progesterone can alter follicle signaling and shorten the growth phase.

• Gupta AK., et al. (2025) Menopause and hair loss in Women: Exploring the hormonal transition.

  This review confirms our "Hair Stress Cascade" model. It shows that hair loss is multifactorial, stemming from the combination of hormonal shifts and the underlying genetic sensitivity to androgens, which becomes unmasked during this transition.

Our Takeaway:
Research continues to affirm that menopause-related hair loss is multifactorial that can be influenced by hormones, stress, and nutrition, but also that the follicles remain responsive. With holistic support, balance and growth may be possible.