Last updated on June 13, 2025
Hair loss can be triggered by a range of factors, from stress, smoking and diet to genetics and medication. But one of the most significant – and often overlooked – contributors is hormones. Whether it’s gradual thinning, patchy loss, or sudden shedding, understanding how your hormones affect your hair can help you make informed choices about treatment and prevention. Here’s what you need to know, from our doctor-led hair growth clinic.
Hormones and Hair: How They’re Linked
Hair follicles are highly sensitive to hormonal changes. Hormones can either stimulate hair growth or trigger hair loss, depending on how your body reacts to them. The primary hormones involved include:
Androgens – These are male sex hormones like testosterone and its more potent derivative, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). While androgens are present in both men and women, elevated levels or increased sensitivity to DHT can shrink hair follicles, shorten the hair growth cycle, and lead to androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss).
- Oestrogen and Progesterone – These female sex hormones are generally associated with promoting hair growth and keeping hair in the growing (anagen) phase. When levels decline – such as after childbirth or during menopause – hair may shed more rapidly.
- Thyroid Hormones – Both underactive (hypothyroidism) and overactive (hyperthyroidism) thyroid conditions can disrupt the hair growth cycle, resulting in diffuse hair thinning across the scalp.
- Cortisol – This stress hormone, when chronically elevated, can push hair follicles into the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle prematurely, leading to telogen effluvium – a temporary shedding condition.
Hormonal hair loss occurs when imbalances in hormones such as DHT, oestrogen, thyroid hormones, or cortisol disrupt the hair growth cycle—common in conditions like PCOS, menopause, thyroid disorders, and chronic stress.
Common Hormonal Conditions Linked to Hair Loss
1. Androgenetic Alopecia
Often called male or female pattern hair loss, this condition is primarily driven by DHT. In men, it typically causes a receding hairline and thinning at the crown. In women, it usually presents as diffuse thinning across the top of the scalp while maintaining the frontal hairline.
2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS leads to elevated androgen levels in women, which can trigger scalp hair thinning and unwanted facial or body hair. It’s often accompanied by irregular periods, acne, and weight gain.
3. Menopause
As oestrogen and progesterone levels drop, the balance shifts toward androgens, which can thin the hair on the scalp. Menopause-related hair loss tends to be more diffuse.
4. Pregnancy and Postpartum Changes
During pregnancy, high oestrogen levels can extend the growing phase, giving hair a fuller appearance. After childbirth, hormone levels quickly drop, and many follicles shift into the shedding phase, causing noticeable postpartum hair loss.
5. Thyroid Disorders
Hair loss from thyroid imbalance often includes thinning across the scalp, eyebrows, and even body hair. It’s usually reversible once hormone levels are stabilised through treatment.
How to Identify Hormonal Hair Loss
Hormonal hair loss often presents with other symptoms, such as:
- Irregular periods or changes in menstrual flow
- Weight gain or loss
- Mood swings or fatigue
- Acne or excess facial hair (in women)
- Sudden or diffuse shedding, often triggered by stress or life events
If you notice changes in your hair alongside these symptoms, it’s a good idea to consult your GP or a hair restoration clinic for a comprehensive evaluation, which may include a blood test to assess hormone levels.
What You Can Do
1. Get a Medical Diagnosis
Before starting any treatment, it’s essential to understand exactly what’s causing your hair loss. At Hair Doctors, we offer a comprehensive hair and scalp analysis using advanced diagnostic tools and magnified imaging to assess the health of your scalp and hair follicles. During your consultation, our experienced team will review your medical history, explore possible hormonal influences, and identify signs of conditions such as androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium, or scalp inflammation. This in-depth analysis forms the foundation for your personalised treatment plan—so you’re not just guessing, you’re getting real answers backed by clinical expertise.
2. Target the Underlying Condition
Once diagnosed, addressing the hormonal imbalance is the first step. Treatment may include:
- Prescription medication to block the effects of DHT
- Oral contraceptives or hormone therapy for PCOS or menopause-related changes
- Thyroid hormone replacement if levels are out of range
- Lifestyle changes such as managing stress, improving sleep, and maintaining a balanced diet
3. Consider Medical Hair Growth Treatments
In many cases, hormonal hair loss can be managed with non-surgical options. These might include:
- Topical or oral medications to slow down the effects of androgens
- Growth Factor Treatments, which use your body’s own healing components to nourish hair follicles
- Exosome therapy, an emerging treatment that uses regenerative cell signalling to support hair regrowth
- DHT-blocking treatments, designed to help minimise the hormonal trigger
4. Don’t Forget the Basics
Support your body’s hormone balance and hair health by:
- Eating a nutrient-rich diet with plenty of protein, iron, zinc, and B vitamins
- Reducing stress through mindfulness, regular exercise, and good sleep
- Avoiding harsh chemical treatments or tight hairstyles that may worsen shedding
Your Next Step Towards Healthier Hair
If your hair loss seems sudden, unusual, or progressively getting worse, it could be hormonal – and that’s not something to ignore. At Hair Doctors, we specialise in diagnosing the causes of hair loss and providing medically backed solutions tailored to men and women of all ages. From personalised treatment plans to advanced regenerative therapies, our Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta hair loss clinics offer the highest level of care in a discreet, luxurious setting.
Whether you’re experiencing thinning due to menopause, PCOS, stress, or another hormonal issue, we’re here to help you reclaim your hair. Contact us today for a private consultation and discover what’s possible.
FAQs
How do I know if my hair loss is hormonal?
Hormonal hair loss often presents as gradual thinning or sudden shedding and may be triggered by events like menopause, stress, or childbirth. If you’re noticing changes in your hair and unsure of the cause, a professional Hair & Scalp Analysis at Hair Doctors in Sydney or Melbourne can help. Using magnified imaging and expert assessment, we’ll identify whether hormones are contributing to your hair loss and guide you toward the most effective treatment.
What hormones are usually responsible for hair loss?
Hair loss is commonly influenced by androgens like DHT, as well as shifts in oestrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones, and cortisol. These hormones can alter the hair growth cycle, causing follicles to shrink or enter the shedding phase early. At Hair Doctors, we specialise in diagnosing these issues through clinical analysis and, when needed, can recommend further testing to confirm hormonal imbalances before building your treatment plan. Book your consultation today at our Sydney, Parramatta or Melbourne clinics.
Do I need blood tests or hormone testing too?
In some cases, yes. If your Hair & Scalp Analysis indicates that hormones may be involved, we may recommend blood tests to assess thyroid function, androgen levels, or markers related to PCOS or menopause. Understanding your hormonal profile helps our doctor-led hair loss team provide the most effective treatment strategy, working alongside your GP or specialist as needed. This ensures a complete, medically informed approach to hair restoration.
What hair growth treatments work for hormonal hair loss?
At Hair Doctors, we offer a range of proven, non-surgical treatments tailored to hormonal hair loss. These include Plasma Growth Factor Therapy, exosome therapy, and DHT-blocking medications or solutions. We also offer hair transplants for permanent hair loss in men and women. We focus on stimulating regrowth, supporting scalp health, and protecting existing hair. Treatments are personalised after your Hair & Scalp Analysis to give you the best chance at long-term results. Contact our clinics in Sydney, Melbourne, or Parramatta today.
Is hormonal hair loss reversible?
In many cases, yes—especially when addressed early. Once we’ve identified the hormonal cause, we can slow or stop shedding and stimulate regrowth with the right treatment. While results vary depending on the condition and stage of hair loss, Hair Doctors in Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta offers doctor-led guidance and clinically supported hair loss therapies including DHT treatments, growth factor therapy, scalp mesotherapy, and our exclusive hair growth protocol, designed to improve follicle health and restore your hair’s natural density over time.
About The Author
Dr. Ossman Ashraf
In 2009, Dr Oz graduated from the University of Dundee, UK with a qualification in Men’s Health and Aesthetic Medicine. He then furthered his qualifications in medical education and is currently the Medical Advisor/Educator for MOSH, Australia’s leading online Men’s Health platform. He is accredited by the London Hair Restoration Academy and specialises in using the most up-to-date micro FUE extraction and DHI implantation techniques for transplant surgery.
Hussein B
After years of research, calling and consulting with different hair transplant surgeons across Sydney, I can definitely say Hair Doctors Australia is the best in the business. If you’re after qualified hair transplant surgeons who actually put their patients best interests first, look no further.
Samuel Levi
From the first initial consult, to my first day of surgery I can not highly recommend the team here at the Bondi clinic enough. So professional, and friendly, plus answered every question and worry I had, that was running through my mind. It made the entire process seamless. I’ll be recommending them whole heartedly to anyone who was in a similar situation to me, and wanting a hair transplant.
