My hair has always been really thick. I have recently noticed it has thinned a lot. Will this only be temporary whilst going through the menopause or is there something I should do about it ?

This can be a symptom of falling oestrogen levels. However, as every woman is different other factors can play a contributory role.

It may also be due to low iron caused by heavy bleeds in the run up to the menopause, or if your periods were historically quite heavy or you didn't have a very healthy diet.

Low protein intake can be another problem, or having too much caffeine and not enough fresh fruit and veg to give you the necessary nutrients for strong hair growth.

Consider taking a supplement to support healthy hair growth and have a good look at your diet to see if it could be better!

Also, drink plenty of plain water because dehydration doesn't help hair growth either. It takes about 3 months for new hair to start growing.

If, after this time, you don't see improvements it might be sensible to ask your doctor to check for low thyroid function. 

Eileen Durward