Is There a Link Between Hormones and Hair Loss?

Hair loss is a common concern for men and women, and while factors like age, genetics and stress often play a role, hormones are another key piece of the puzzle. Shifts in certain hormone levels can affect the growth cycle of your hair, leading to thinning, shedding or changes in texture.

Below, we explore which hormones influence hair health, how imbalances can cause hair loss and what you can do to understand your own levels.

How hormones affect hair growth

Your hair grows in a cycle: a growth phase (anagen), a transitional phase (catagen) and a resting/shedding phase (telogen). Hormones help regulate this cycle, particularly:

• Androgens (including testosterone and DHT)
• Thyroid hormones
• Oestrogen and progesterone
• Cortisol (the stress hormone)

When these hormones fall out of balance, the growth cycle can be disrupted, causing more hairs to enter the shedding phase or reducing new hair production.

Androgens and hair loss

Androgens, especially dihydrotestosterone (DHT), play the biggest role in pattern hair loss.

DHT sensitivity

Some people have hair follicles that are more sensitive to DHT. When DHT binds to these follicles, it can cause them to shrink over time; a process called miniaturisation. This leads to finer, shorter hairs and eventually reduced growth.

Male and female pattern hair loss

• Men may notice a receding hairline, thinning at the crown or overall pattern baldness.
• Women often experience a widening parting or general thinning across the scalp rather than receding.

Genetics influence how sensitive you are to DHT, but hormone levels themselves can also play a part.

Thyroid hormones and hair health

Both hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) can impact hair growth.

Low or high thyroid hormone levels can:

• Slow the growth cycle
• Cause diffuse thinning across the scalp
• Hypothyroidism can lead to dry, brittle hair
• Hyperthyroidism can lead to fine, silky hair with increased breakage

Because thyroid disorders often develop gradually, hair changes may be an early sign that something has shifted.

Sex hormones: oestrogen and progesterone

These hormones help maintain hair in the growth phase. When levels drop, shedding can increase.

Common situations that affect levels include:

• Menopause, which reduces oestrogen and can lead to noticeable thinning
• Postpartum hormone changes, often causing temporary hair shedding typically at 3-5 months after giving birth
• Stopping or switching hormonal contraception

For many people, hair regrowth improves as hormone levels stabilise, but persistent changes may suggest an underlying imbalance.

How stress hormones influence hair changes

Long-term stress can influence your hair, as well as your mood. When the body produces high levels of cortisol over an extended period, it can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle. Hair may spend less time in the active growing phase and move more quickly into the shedding phase, leading to thinning or increased fall-out.

Chronic stress can also indirectly affect hormones like testosterone and thyroid hormones, which play a key role in hair health.

Managing stress levels, supporting sleep and keeping an eye on overall hormone balance can all help protect hair growth.

Cortisol and stress-related shedding

High cortisol from prolonged stress can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition where more hairs enter the shedding phase at once.

Triggers can include:

• Long-term work or life stress
• Illness or surgery
• Significant weight loss
• Emotional distress

This type of hair loss usually resolves over time, but it can take several months for normal growth to return.

How to know if hormones are affecting your hair

Signs that hair loss may be hormone-related include:

• Gradual thinning over months rather than sudden patches
• Worsening during specific life stages (e.g., menopause, postpartum)
• Changes alongside other symptoms, such as fatigue, mood changes or irregular periods
• A family history of hormone-linked hair changes

Because multiple hormones influence hair growth, and several issues can happen at once, the most reliable way to understand what’s going on is through targeted hormone testing.

When to consider a hormone test

A hormone profile can give you a clearer picture of whether imbalances might be contributing to hair changes.

It may be particularly helpful if:

• You’ve noticed progressive thinning with no clear cause
• You’re experiencing symptoms such as low mood, low energy, changes in libido or irregular cycles
• Hair loss started after a major hormonal shift (e.g., menopause, stopping contraception)
• You want to track changes over time while making lifestyle adjustments

Testing doesn’t diagnose the cause of hair loss on its own but offers valuable insights that can help guide conversations with a healthcare professional.

Supporting healthy hormone balance

Alongside understanding your levels, certain lifestyle habits can support hormonal wellbeing:

• Balanced nutrition, including adequate protein, healthy fats and key vitamins
• Managing stress through sleep, relaxation techniques or regular activity
• Staying physically active, which supports metabolic and hormonal health
• Avoiding smoking, which can negatively affect circulation and hair follicles

If testing highlights an imbalance, your GP or specialist can advise on the safest and most effective treatment options.

Check your hormone levels

If you’re concerned that hormones may be playing a role in your hair health, a simple test can help you get reassurance

Bluecrest Wellness offers Hormone Profiles, which measure key hormones involved in metabolism, energy, reproduction and overall wellbeing. Your results come with clear explanations and optional GP follow-up, helping you understand whether your levels fall within a healthy range.

BOOK NOW

Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.