Why do women experience hair loss after menopause?

Hair loss during menopause is the result of a hormonal imbalance. It is a result of a lower production of oestrogen and progesterone. These hormones help hair grow faster and stay on the head for longer periods of time. When the levels of oestrogen and progesterone drop, hair grows more slowly and becomes much thinner.  

A decrease in these hormones also triggers an increase in the production of androgens, or a group of male hormones (e.g. DHT). Androgens shrink hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the head. In some cases, however, these hormones can cause more hair to grow on the face. This is why some menopausal women develop small sprouts of hair on the chin and unwanted parts of the body. For women going through menopause, the cause of hair loss is almost always related to hormonal changes. However, there are many other factors that can contribute to hair loss during menopause. These factors include stress, illness, nutritional deficiency and medicine sensitivity.