Why is my Hair Thinning, Skin Drying And Nails Breaking in Peri-Menopause & Menopause?
Minal Patel - Naturopath & Food Scientist | Bhimble Wellness
Is your hair thinning, skin drying and nails breaking?
One day your skin feels plump and glowy and the next it feels dry and dull.
Peri-menopause and menopause can bring some pretty noticeable changes to your skin, hair, and nails. For many women, it can feel like it happens overnight.
Around 50% of postmenopausal women say they were never informed about these changes and more than half feel it’s impacted their self-esteem.
These hair, skin and nail changes are common, this is hormonal and there are ways to support your body through it. I can help you.
What Skin Changes You Might Notice During Peri-Menopause and Menopause
Your skin is often one of the first places you’ll notice shifts and it’s not just about ageing, it’s about your hormones.
You might notice:
- Dry, dull or dehydrated skin
- Thinning skin that feels more fragile or bruises easily
- Fine lines and wrinkles becoming more noticeable
- Sagging skin or loss of firmness
- Increased sensitivity, redness or irritation
- Adult acne or unexpected breakouts
What Hair Changes You Might Notice During Peri-Menopause and Menopause
Hair changes can feel confronting because they can impact how we see ourselves so much.
You might notice:
- Hair thinning
- Increased hair shedding
- Dry, brittle hair with less shine
- Slower hair growth and less volume overall
- More facial hair
What Nail Changes You Might Notice During Peri-Menopause and Menopause
Nails don’t get talked about enough and they’re often affected too.
You might notice:
- Brittle, weak nails
- Peeling or splitting nails
- Slower nail growth
- Ridges forming in the nails
- Nails don’t grow like they used to
What Do Your Hormones Have to Do With All of This?
These changes are largely driven mainly by shifting levels of estrogen, progesterone and androgens during peri-menopause and menopause.
Estrogen Declining
Estrogen plays a huge role in keeping your skin plump, hydrated and resilient so when estrogen levels start to decline, you really feel it.
Around 30% of collagen can be lost within the first 5 years of menopause. Collagen and elastin production slows down which may lead to fine lines and sagging skin. Your skin becomes thinner, drier and more fragile.
Estrogen helps keep hair in its growth phase. When estrogen drops, your hair may shed more and grow more slowly. Your hair follicles can shrink over time, leading to thinner hair strands.
When it comes to your nails, reduced oestrogen means less keratin production and lesss hydration which can cause brittle, dry nails that split more easily.
Androgens
When estrogen levels drop, androgens (testosterone) may become more dominant.
This can show up acne around the chin and jawline, oilier skin in some women, drier skin for other women.
Additionally, androgens can contribute to thinning hair on the scalp (androgen-sensitive hair follicles) and increased facial hair.
Progesterone Declining
Progesterone doesn’t just affect your mood and sleep, it also plays a role in keeping inflammation in check.
When progesterone drops your skin can become more reactive and inflamed. Conditions like acne, redness and irritation can worsen. You may notice your skin doesn’t “heal” or recover as well as it used to.
This progesterone drop may also lead to hair follicles losing some of their protective and calming support.
Cortisol
Peri-menopause can make your nervous system more sensitive, which can lead to higher cortisol levels especially if life is already busy or stressful.
Higher cortisol can accelerate collagen breakdown which can cause faster skin ageing, increased inflammation which can worsen acne and skin sensitivity.
Increased cortisol levels may disrupt your hair growth cycle which may lead to more hair shedding and impact nutrient absorption which can affect your skin, hair and nail health.
Other Things Worth Ruling Out
While hormones are often the main driver behind changes to your skin, hair, and nails in peri-menopause and menopause, they’re not always the only piece of the puzzle.
Some other things worth checking with your GP or health pracitioner include:
- Iron Deficiency – one of the biggest contributors to hair thinning and shedding. (especially if you’re feeling tired or breathless too).
- Thyroid Imbalances – an underactive thyroid can lead to dry skin, hair loss, and brittle nails.
- Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies - linked to hair loss, poor skin healing, and weakened nails.
- Medications – some medications can contribute to hair thinning or skin dryness.
Simple, Gentle Ways to Support Your Hair, Skin & Nails
Here are some simple ways to improve your hair, skin and nail health.
Eat Protein at Every Meal - your hair and nails are made from protein, make sure you’re eating adequate protein.
Support hydration - Start your day with a glass of water with lemon and sip water consistently throughout the day.
Use a good quality moisturiser - keep your skin moist and consider hydrating facial mists to lock in moisture.
Protect and be gentle with your skin barrier - use daily sunscreen with SPF. Avoid over-exfoliating as your skin is more delicate during this phase.
Get a good night’s sleep - your body repairs, regenerates and balances your hormones while you’re sleeping. If you get poor sleep, this creates more stress and more visible ageing changes.
Are You Ready For Support?
If your hair is thinning, your skin feels unfamiliar or your nails are constantly breaking, it can knock your confidence.
With the right approach, you can improve how your hair, skin, and nails feel and start to feel more like yourself again.
I would love to support you.
Book a complimentary Hormonal Wellness Discovery Call.
Together, we’ll explore your hormones, stress levels, metabolism, gut health and lifestyle. I will create a personalised plan to help you feel calm, in control and at ease again.
With love & understanding,
Minal xx