Hair Loss in Older & Elderly Women: Causes, Treatment

Lots of great things come with age, like experience, wisdom, self-acceptance, and, eventually, senior discounts. But it’s not all roses, of course: As a woman, getting older also means a higher likelihood of hair loss — and not necessarily in the areas we’d prefer.

Estimates are that fewer than 45 percent of women go through life with a full head of hair. And while approximately 12 percent of women aged between 20 and 29 years experience female pattern hair loss, over 50 percent of women over the age of 80 deal with it. 

Why does hair thin with age? Female pattern hair loss is the most common cause of hair loss for women, but there can be many other factors. We’ve covered potential  causes of hair loss in older women and effective treatment options to help stop  hair loss.

Wondering why hair may thin with age? The following factors may contribute — though note that none of them are exclusive to those who are older and can occur at any age.

1. Genetics

Hair loss affects both men and women and, while it can occur at any age, it becomes increasingly common with age.An estimated 53 percent of men and 37 percent of women experience hair loss after age 65. 

Hair loss in women is most often due to female pattern hair loss, a condition that is tied to your genes. In fact, hereditary or pattern hair loss is the most common reason for hair loss in both sexes (thanks, Mom and Dad). 

While men with male pattern baldness may see a receding hairline or a prominent bald spot, hereditary hair loss looks a little different in women. You might find that your part is getting wider, or you may see diffuse thinning over the top of your head.

In both sexes, the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is produced as a byproduct of testosterone, plays a key role in hair loss. 

In some people, DHT can affect their hair by attaching to receptors in  hair follicles and causing them to shrink. Similar to how genetics play a role in whether you have blonde hair or brown,   it  also determines how sensitive your hair follicles may be to DHT.

As these hair follicles get smaller (or miniaturized), they can no longer support healthy hair. Instead, they produce thinner, vellus-like hairs. These shorter, finer hairs cover the scalp poorly, resulting  in visible thinning or balding.

2. Illness, Surgery, or Rapid Weight Loss

Does hair tend to get thinner with age? Sure, but specific stressors can worsen it, causing a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. 

Potential triggers can include recovering from a serious illness, have had major surgery, or have experienced rapid weight loss, all of these things are stressful on your body. 

When your body is subjected to  a physical or emotional stressor, it’s not uncommon for a large number of hair follicles to prematurely enter the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle. The result is noticeably increased hair shedding starting 2-3 months  after the triggering event. 

Hair loss due to telogen effluvium is usually temporary and resolves when your body has recovered from the stressful event. Still, it can be alarming if you’re already dealing with hair thinning related to age. 

3. Nutritional Deficiencies

What you’re regularly putting into your body can either help or harm your hair health. That’s why taking inventory of your typical diet pattern can be a good place to start if you’re experiencing more hair loss than usual. 

Deficiencies in certain vitamins and minerals may be associated with some forms of hair loss, including excess hair shedding. These important nutrients include, such as: 

• Iron

• Vitamin D

• B Vitamins

• Zinc

Your hair is primarily made of protein (specifically keratin), so not getting enough of amino acids (the building blocks of protein) in your diet could potentially contribute to  hair loss . Amino acids that your body uses are derived from dietary protein. You can boost protein intake by eating foods like meat, poultry, dairy, eggs, legumes, nuts, seeds, and soy products.

Potentially exacerbating any nutritional gaps in the diet is the fact that our bodies don’t always absorb nutrients as efficiently as they once did as we get older. This may potentially further  contribute to thinning hair. However, hair loss is often associated with multiple factors and addressing nutrition is just one piece of the puzzle..

4. Thyroid Dysfunction

Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the base of your neck. It produces and releases hormones, primarily thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones are involved in regulating metabolism and affect nearly every organ system, as well as the condition of your hair, skin, and nails.

Older women are more vulnerable to experiencing thyroid health issues. Thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), can trigger hair follicles to prematurely go into the resting phase. This can result in increased shedding (telogen effluvium), though thyroid-related issues can also be associated with alopecia areata. 

The hormonal imbalances related to thyroid conditions can interrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Whether you have an under- or overactive thyroid, your hair can become brittle, thin, dry, and more prone to shedding.

5. Harsh Hair Styling

We put our hair through a lot in life, the effects of which can add up by the time we enter our later seasons. If you’re experiencing more hair loss than usual, consider whether your regular hair care routine might be a contributing factor. 

For instance, if you often use harsh styling techniques, like tight hairstyles such as braids, this can weaken hair shafts and damage hair follicles, leading to more hair breakage and thinning.

If you’re experiencing hair loss around your hairline and think you may have hair loss from tight styling, our guide on ponytail hair loss is a great resource. 

6. Medications

All medications come with potential side effects, which can sometimes include hair thinning or hair loss. More often than not, medication-induced hair loss is telogen effluvium. It’s not uncommon to be on multiple prescriptions for medical conditions as you get older, and sometimes even over-the-counter medications can have an effect.

Examples of the types of medications that may bemore likely to trigger hair thinning or shedding include:

• Blood thinners, like warfarin and heparin

• Some antidepressants, like Fluoxetine (Prozac®) and sertraline (Zoloft®)

• Blood pressure-lowering medications, including beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol, propranolol) and ACE inhibitors (e.g., enalapril, lisinopril)

• Cholesterol-lowering drugs or statins, including simvastatin and atorvastatin

• Oral contraceptives

• Chemotherapy drugs

• Immunosuppressants, like methotrexate and cyclosporine

• Anti-seizure medications 

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen and naproxen

• Antifungal medications, like fluconazole and ketoconazole

• Thyroid medications, particularly levothyroxine

• Certain weight loss medications, like orlistat and phentermine

In some cases, medication-related hair loss may be reversible once the medication is discontinued or adjusted. 

Speak with your healthcare provider about whether hair loss is a side effect of a medication or combination of medications you’re using. Never change or stop using a prescription without their guidance. 

7. Menopause

While menopause is perhaps best known for its ability to trigger hot flashes and disrupt your sleep, it is often at this time that women may also first notice hair loss or notice that their existing hair loss worsens. Menopause is known to cause hormonal changes, and hormonal havoc.

Hair loss associated with menopause is most often related to female pattern hair loss. In menopause, estrogen and progesterone drop. This changes the balance between male and female hormones in the body, increasing the relative influence of the male hormones including  DHT in the hair follicles. This leads to miniaturization of hair follicles and thinning hair. Female pattern hair loss usually appears as thinning hair on the central part of your scalp and is often first noticed as a widening part.  .

Our guide on menopause hair loss and treatments is a great resource if you want to know more. 

8. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a hormonal disorder characterized by irregular periods, higher levels of male hormones (androgens), and the presence of multiple small cysts on the ovaries.  It can cause symptoms such as unintentional weight gain, acne, excess facial and body hair, difficulty getting pregnant, and female pattern hair loss. 

While PCOS typically persists as you age, certain symptoms may change or lessen after menopause due to shifts in  hormone levels. However, androgen-related issues like female pattern hair loss, can continue or even worsen in older women.. 

 Female pattern hair loss typically causes hair thinning in the central part of the scalp. Additionally, insulin resistance, often associated with PCOS, can further disrupt hair growth cycles, and contribute to  more hair shedding.

Now that we’ve reviewed the main causes of  hair loss in older women, you’re probably wondering what you can do about it. The good news is that the types of hair loss that often affect older women are treatable. 

Here’s a look at some of the options you have to help preserve and strengthen the hair you have, minimize further loss, and promote hair regrowth.

Consider Hair Loss Treatments

While hair loss may feel complicated, the right treatment doesn’t have to be. There are lots of effective and easy-to-use hair loss treatments available now. Talk to your healthcare provider or dermatologist to figure out which is the best one for you. 

Here are some you may want to consider:

• Topical minoxidil: Minoxidil (commonly sold as Rogaine®) is believed to work by increasing the blood supply to your hair follicles and prompting more hair follicles to enter the anagen, or growth, phase of their cycle. It’s  FDA-approved for treating female pattern hair loss. Hers offers two forms: minoxidil drops and minoxidil foam.

• Oral minoxidil: Additionally, studies have shown that low-dose oral minoxidil can be an effective treatment for numerous hair disorders, including female-patterned hair loss. This once-daily prescription medication is especially great if you find topical application to be challenging or don't want it to interfere with your styling options.’ Oral minoxidil is  an off-label treatment for hair loss. If you’ve tried topical minoxidil in the past and it didn't work for you or caused irritation, you may find the oral form to be a more effective and tolerable alternative to promote hair regrowth.

• Spironolactone: A once-daily anti-androgen pill, spironolactone helps decrease testosterone levels in the blood and lessens its effect on the body. It’s often prescribed off-label to treat female pattern hair loss  (female androgenetic alopecia). Read our guide to spironolactone for hair loss for a deeper dive into how it could help treat your hair loss.

• Topical finasteride spray: Another topical solution to treat hair loss in older women, topical finasteride and minoxidil spray is a treatment for female pattern hair loss typically prescribed to postmenopausal women. Applied directly to the scalp, finasteride works as a selective 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, reducing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, the hormone that can contribute to hair thinning in pattern hair loss. Combined with minoxidil in a spray, this treatment can help slow hair loss and promote regrowth.

Wash Less Frequently

How frequently you should wash your hair depends on the type of hair you have, how long it stays clean and manageable, and your personal preference. Regardless, washing your hair too much can strip it of its natural oils and cause it to become dry and brittle — and more likely to break off. 

Wash your scalp at least a few times per week without overdoing it, and choose the shampoo designed for your hair type (such as oily, dry, color-treated, fine, or normal). 

Use Conditioners and Volumizers

Conditioner helps lock in moisture after you wash your hair, which can help replace natural oils that were lost and increase softness. 

Volumizers can also help to strengthen your strands and increase their volume, bringing new life into thin, flat hairs.

Be Gentler on Your Hair

Give your strands some TLC by being extra gentle. Take it easy when you wash and towel dry hair (no vigorous rubbing!) to avoid hair breakage. 

Additionally, keep your hot tools and hair dryer at a lower temperature to help fend off hair damage. 

Optimize Your Nutrition

Think about your hair from the inside out. The best way to ensure you’re getting all of the nutrients you need for healthy hair is to eat a diet rich in variety and color. Prioritize minimally processed foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, and lean proteins.

This will provide you with the protein, fiber, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants needed to support healthy hair growth and maintenance. If you’re not sure where  your diet lands in  nutritional quality, consult with a registered dietitian. 

Need an extra nutritional boost? Consider a multivitamin designed for older women, and check out our biotin gummies.

Hair loss can be complicated, and frustrating. Here’s what to know about hair loss as you age:

• Increased hair loss in older age is common. Remember, it’s not unusual to experience  hair loss as you get older. Still, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for it. Just know you’re not alone.

• Hair loss is multifaceted. Changes in your hair can occur in response to genetics, stress, hormone fluctuations, weight changes, medications, and styling techniques. Consider meeting with a healthcare professional or dermatologist to help identify what could be contributing in your case.

• You have options. In addition to improved nutrition and gentler hair care habits, there are a number  of hair loss treatments that may help. Whether it’s minoxidil, a supplement, or finasteride, stay consistent with applying or taking your medication, so you can get the best results.

Ready to make moves? Start here to get a hair loss consultation today. This can help you identify the root cause of your hair loss and from there, determine the right treatment.