Losing a few strands throughout the day is completely normal. Most people shed between 50 and 100 hairs daily without noticing, largely because new hair grows back at roughly the same rate. But when that regrowth slows down or stops altogether something else may be going on beneath the surface.

According to new data from TENA, 35% of women between the ages of 35 and 44 report experiencing hair loss, the highest rate of any age group surveyed. Yet fewer than half of those women connect it to one of the most significant hormonal shifts of their lives, perimenopause. For Black women, who are more likely to begin menopause earlier than their peers, understanding this connection is not just helpful, it can be critical.

Hair loss vs. hair shedding: they are not the same thing

The two terms are used interchangeably so often that the distinction gets lost, but it matters. Daily shedding is a normal part of the hair growth cycle. With roughly 100,000 follicles on the scalp, losing up to 100 strands a day barely registers visually, especially when new growth keeps pace.

Perimenopausal hair loss is a different experience entirely. Rather than patchy thinning or clumps falling out at once, it tends to show up gradually an overall reduction in density, a widening part, a scalp that seems more visible than it used to be. It can be easy to dismiss or misread, particularly for Black women, whose hair loss is more frequently attributed to traction alopecia from styling rather than hormonal causes like female pattern hair loss or central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia, known as CCCA.

Female pattern hair loss, the most common form, appears frequently during menopause as estrogen levels decline. The combination of earlier hormonal changes and existing risk factors makes timely diagnosis especially important for Black women, both for physical outcomes and psychological well-being.

Why perimenopause affects your hair

The hormonal mechanics behind perimenopausal hair loss follow a clear pattern. As the ovaries gradually produce less estrogen and progesterone the hormones that support hair growth and thickness androgen levels rise. That shift causes hair follicles to shrink, leading to finer strands, reduced volume and increased shedding over time.

Perimenopause can begin up to 10 years before menopause itself, meaning women in their mid 30s may already be experiencing its effects. Hair loss during this phase often appears alongside other early symptoms like irregular periods, hot flashes and night sweats. Additional factors, including hereditary influences, chronic stress and conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome, can intensify the shedding.

Pay attention to what you notice on wash day or in your bonnet in the morning. More hair than usual? A thinner afro? A wider part? These are worth tracking. If the shedding has continued for more than three months, experts recommend seeing a dermatologist, who can use tools like a hair pull test or a dermatoscope to evaluate what is happening at the scalp level.

What you can do about it

Too many women assume that menopausal hair loss is irreversible, but that is far from the truth. The earlier it is addressed, the more options are available from hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle changes to over the counter treatments like topical minoxidil and specialized shampoos designed to support regrowth.

The challenge is getting there. Misinformation and stigma around menopause have created a gap in awareness that affects women across the board, but hits Black women hardest. There is a widespread and false assumption that menopause only affects women in their 50s, which means symptoms of early menopause defined as before age 45 or premature menopause, before age 40, often go unrecognized for years. Women describe being misdiagnosed or waiting years for answers that should have come sooner.

For Black women navigating a medical system that has historically underserved them, that delay carries real consequences. Knowing the symptoms, even the ones that seem minor, is one way to advocate for yourself before the window for early intervention closes.