Nalalagas ang buhok and your ponytail feels thinner? Here is what is going on

Female-pattern hair loss is more common after menopause (DermNet). You may read that falling estrogen "unmasks" male-type hormones (androgens), but the roles of both androgens and estrogen are still uncertain, and most women with this type of thinning have normal androgen levels. What we do know is that affected hair follicles shrink and grow finer hair. The usual pattern is a wider part and thinner hair on the crown, while the hairline stays.

Filipinas on Reddit describe it in their own words: "Hairloss", "hair fall, scalp pain", and "Hair loss and thinning hair for the past year" (r/kwarentahin). These are personal reports, not evidence, but you are clearly not alone.

Stress, illness, crash diets and surgery can also trigger a few months of heavy shedding (telogen effluvium), which usually starts 2 to 4 months after the trigger and settles on its own over several months (DermNet).

Check these before blaming hormones:

• Thyroid. Both an underactive and overactive thyroid cause hair loss. A TSH test is ₱490 per test (Exact Check) and FT4 is ₱470 per test (Exact Check). Read perimenopause or thyroid?.
• Iron deficiency and anemia. Heavy periods in perimenopause can lower iron stores. Ask your doctor about a CBC and ferritin test.
• Medication. Some medicines can trigger shedding. Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether any of yours list hair loss as a side effect.
• Depression and stress. Both can trigger shedding and make self-care harder.
• PCOS. Higher androgens can cause thinning at any age; see pcosphilippines.com.
• Scalp conditions. Patchy loss, scaling, redness or scarring needs a dermatologist.

Prices checked October 2026.

Treating the cause: Strong evidence where a cause is found. If thyroid or iron is the problem, fixing it usually lets the hair grow back over months. The NHS notes that hair loss from a medical condition usually stops or grows back once you recover.

Topical minoxidil: Some evidence for female-pattern hair loss in general: a Cochrane review found minoxidil solution effective (DermNet). It is not specific to menopause. You need to use it for at least six months before judging results, and the benefit lasts only while you keep using it. Our sister site hairlossphilippines.com covers minoxidil and other options in the Philippines in detail.

HRT: Limited evidence. HRT is not a hair treatment. Some women notice better hair on it, but neither The Menopause Society nor NICE recommends HRT for hair loss. If you are considering HRT for hot flashes or sleep, read HRT for menopause.

Non-hormonal medicines: Not enough evidence for hair. The options on our non-hormonal treatments page are for hot flashes.

Hair supplements (biotin, collagen): Not enough evidence. A 2017 review found biotin helped only people with an underlying deficiency or condition, not healthy people (Patel et al.). Supplements carry "No approved therapeutic claims" in the PH. See supplement ratings.

Gentle hair care: Low risk. Fewer tight hairstyles, less heat and bleaching, and a balanced diet with enough protein.

See a doctor soon if you have:

• Sudden hair loss in clumps or round bald patches.
• Hair loss with a red, scaly, painful or scarring scalp.
• Hair loss with weight change, palpitations, feeling cold or very tired (possible thyroid).
• Very heavy periods, dizziness or breathlessness (possible anemia).
• New facial hair, acne or a deeper voice.

Use the symptom checker to list what else you feel, then find a doctor, or a dermatologist for the scalp.