menopause peroxide oh no!

By the way. Conditioner only makes hair look thinner as it smooth the cuticle. Richard Ward salon in London advised me to use a silk hankie over hairbrush to smooth hair after styling and, if necessary, to use a product AFTER cool drying by rubbing on hands and smoothing over hair. Conditioner doesn't stop hair breaking, it simply smooths. It's most fragile when wet.
That was from the salon which does the hair of the Duchess of Cambridge.

Hello ifcatsruledtheworld, and welcome.
I'm almost new here and there is lots of good and varied advice to be had.
I've had my hair dyed both professionally and doing it myself for the last 57 years and all colours, from auburn through all the reds, browns and blondes imaginable. My hair was naturally copper-brown, long, very thick, strong and slightly wavy.
My meno occurred without fanfare when I was 51 and I had no symptoms. Hair texture was drier and looked even thicker when it was very blonde (L'Oreal Blondissimes) but I treated it gently.
I suspect that everyone is different according to hair condition, their wellbeing and any medication they are taking. Stress can also be a factor (so I have read elsewhere)
In your position, would either go to a tricologist for advice, stop colouring my hair and/or see your GP if you are taking meds.
Everyone's reaction to the meno and their hair will differ so you are not going to get a definitive answer on here. Best wishes and don't stress. We are not doctors or tricologist here so get professional advice.

Sorry to hear about this, Ifcatsruledtheworld, hair loss and breakage is so distressing. I have lost much of my fringe hair over the past five years, and find that a good hairdresser can find a way to deal with it. I have my hair high and low-lighted which means no colour touches my scalp and regrowth is much less noticeable than all over colour. I also find that using Philip Kingsley's Elasticizer as a hairmask once a week strengthens my hair and makes it less likely to break. Good luck!

I read some research recently that letting it dry naturally weakens hair, better to use hair dryer. I was very very surprised.

I wonder whether it might be worth having your thyroid checked. I started to get these symptoms in my late 40's when I started the menopause. Apparently the two conditions often develop together - something to do with the immune system I believe. As well as my hair, my fingernails kept breaking off, and I had all kinds of other unpleasant symptoms. My then GP fobbed me off with antidepressants, and I struggled on for several years before being diagnosed with a hypothyroid condition - I shall be on tablets for life, but once on them I started to feel "normal" again (or what passes for normal with me)! Might be worth getting this checked out, as the condition is notoriously underdiagnosed.

My hair fell out in handfuls after a failed surgery and because of that, I couldn’t eat or drink and became malnourished.

My hair broke if you even looked at it - let alone brushed it. My bedroom carpet turned into a furry rug in no time!

I took the Holland & Barrett Hair, Skin and Nails tablets too, and did exactly the same as MaggieMay, was kind to my hair, conditioned it and left the conditioner in overnight then gently rinsed it out (the shower can be too harsh at times)

Used a wide toothed comb to de-tangle and let it dry naturally. When I went back to my hairdresser after 4 months she said my hair had become a lot thicker and healthier and what had I done?!

The drugs I was taking played havoc with my hair but I needed them at the time. My hair is ok at the moment, apart from needing a good cut... and the fact that I can’t bare my natural colour coming through, and I’m having to dye it to cover up the white roots..

I lost about 50% of my hair thickness once my early menopause started and even years later my house is subject to lots of hair left all over the place.

I stopped dying it lighter blonde with Sun In though and started to use cassia powder with some chamomile added - its in great condition now, only needs washing once a month, and looks much thicker.

Yes this has happened to me too! The best thing I could do was be so so kind to my hair for a while, and I asked my Doctor if I could take Holland and Barratt skin hair and nails tabs, and she said it was fine for what I was on at the time ( couldn't list, too numerous and always changing!!)
But every day I used a cheap conditioner, wrapped a towel around my head & let it sink in, rinse and just let my hair heal I suppose. I lost quite a bit of hair but with time its all fine now. I decided to get my hair back to a nicer condition I would not strip my hair any more, but add a darker blonde that actually gave some conditioning instead of stripping the colour out, and while I thought it would never suit me, looks quite good! For now!

Yes I did have a problem with straw hair for a while and some hair loss. I think may also have been some medication I was on at the time. The only solution is a good hairdresser and good hair products at home. A good healthy diet help too. Good Luck it should come right

Hello Bluebelle

I have no idea. I only know that I am in Peri, on hrt and my hair can’t stand what it used to. I have had estradiol test and pre hrt it was very low.

I ve never dyed bleached or coloured my hair so not a lot of use but I was wondering if your health is ok as that can cause hair to break off my