If you're experiencing hair loss after your hysterectomy, you're not alone. While doctors prepare you for the physical recovery from surgery, many women are caught off guard by unexpected hair thinning or shedding that begins 2-6 months later.
The CDC estimates that over 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States each year. And of those women, many may experience some degree of hair loss, especially when the ovaries are removed.
The sudden drop in estrogen combined with increased testosterone levels creates the perfect storm for hair follicle disruption.
Reassuringly, this type of hair loss can be highly treatable when you understand what's happening and take action early.
In this guide, we'll explain exactly why your hair is changing, what to expect, and most importantly – the treatment options that may help you regain thicker, healthier hair.
What is a Hysterectomy?
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of your uterus – and sometimes your ovaries and fallopian tubes too.
Here's the breakdown of different types of hysterectomies:
- Partial hysterectomy: Just the uterus goes
- Total hysterectomy: Uterus and cervix are removed
- Radical hysterectomy: Uterus, cervix, and surrounding tissues (usually for cancer)
- Total hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy: Everything goes – uterus, cervix, tubes, and both ovaries
Why Hysterectomy Causes Hair Loss
If having your ovaries, and or uterus removed wasn’t already vulnerable enough–this may also affect another deeply personal part of you: your hair.
When your uterus is removed, especially if your ovaries are also taken out (a procedure called oophorectomy), your body experiences a sudden shift in hormone levels. Estrogen and progesterone, two key hormones for hair growth, can drop sharply, and this hormonal imbalance can disrupt the natural hair cycle.
Here’s how hormones can affect your hair:
Estrogen helps keep hair in its growing (anagen) phase longer. When estrogen levels decline, more hairs can shift prematurely into the shedding (telogen) phase. That’s why some women notice increased thinning or fallout a few weeks or months post-surgery.
But there’s another hormonal layer: DHT (dihydrotestosterone), a byproduct of testosterone that’s known to shrink hair follicles over time.
Under typical hormonal conditions, estrogen helps buffer or balance the effects of DHT. But after a hysterectomy, especially without hormone replacement therapy, estrogen drops significantly while testosterone remains relatively steady, or even becomes proportionally higher. This can make DHT more dominant. For women already genetically sensitive to DHT, that hormonal shift may speed up thinning, particularly around the crown or part line.
Other contributing factors may include:
- Surgical or emotional stress, which can trigger temporary shedding (telogen effluvium)
- Nutrient depletion, especially iron, vitamin D, and protein during recovery
- Medication changes or a pause in hormonal birth control
Understanding this shift means you can approach treatment with more clarity. Topical DHT blockers, scalp-nourishing ingredients, and strategies that gently restore hormonal balance can help protect and reawaken your hair follicles.
How To Treat Hair Loss After Hysterectomy
Depending on the type of hair loss you’re going through, you might need targeted hair loss treatment to stop or slow the hair loss.
Some hair loss post surgery might be stress related. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium, it’s a rapid hair loss but it normally corrects itself 2 to 4 months post operation.
Female patterned hair loss is a slower and progressive form of hair loss that requires treatment.
If post-hysterectomy shedding lasts longer than 3–4 months or seems to follow a pattern (like thinning at the crown or widening part), it’s a good idea to explore active hair loss treatment options.
3 Hair Loss Treatment Solutions After Hysterectomy
If your hair loss is hormone related, you may consider hormone replacement therapy with your doctor. Regardless, you might still deal with DHT related hair loss post hysterectomy.
Here are 3 hair loss treatments to consider:
- Topical DHT Blockers & Growth Stimulators
Topical treatments can help address both hormone-related hair loss. You want prescription ingredients that block DHT, encourage regrowth, and create an ideal scalp environment.
DHT blockers for women might be a great first step.
Spironolactone works by targeting androgens (like testosterone and DHT) that can contribute to thinning hair in women. Spironolactone helps by reducing androgen levels in the body and blocking androgen receptors at the hair follicle level, which may slow or prevent further hair loss.
For women experiencing progressive, DHT-related thinning after surgery, it’s often part of a long-term treatment strategy to help maintain and protect hair density.
Look for compounded prescription formulas that combine:
- Spironolactone or Finasteride to block DHT
- Minoxidil to extend the hair growth phase
- Tretinoin to improve absorption and scalp turnover
- Biotin and Fluocinolone to soothe and support follicles
These formulas work best when applied consistently and directly to the scalp, ideally in a high-penetration base that helps actives reach the follicles.
Learn More About Topical DHT-Blockers for Women
- Gentle Hair Boosting Serums
For those wanting an additional layer to treatment, try hair boosting topicals with ingredients like:
- Latanoprost (similar to Latisse, but for hair) may help stimulate hair follicles and promote growth in localized areas
- Caffeine, and Biotin
may help stimulate growth, especially around the hairline or areas of early thinning.
These options are often well-tolerated and can be used solo or alongside DHT blockers.
Learn More about Lantanoprost For Hair
- Microneedling for Hair
Using a 1.5mm dermaroller on the scalp 1–2 times a week may:
- Increase blood flow to the scalp
- Encourage collagen production
- Improve absorption of topicals
- Wake up dormant follicles
This non-invasive tool is a great way to maximize the effectiveness of topical treatments.
Post-Hysterectomy Hair Loss: Final Thoughts
Hair loss after a hysterectomy can feel frustrating, isolating, and hard to talk about. But it’s more common than most people realize. Whether it’s temporary shedding from the stress of surgery or the start of a longer-term shift due to hormones and DHT, there are ways to support your hair health.
With the right care—topical treatments, scalp stimulation, and nutritional support—many women are able to slow shedding, maintain thickness, and even see regrowth.
The key is knowing what you’re dealing with and acting early.
You don’t have to wait and see if it gets worse. You can start supporting your hair now.
Explore Treatment Options Made for Women
At Strut, we offer prescription-grade hair loss treatments formulated specifically for women, including:
Our process is 100% online, medically guided, and personalized to your needs. If you're ready to take the next step, we’re here when you are.
See if you’re a candidate →
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