Some women notice an increase in facial hair during menopause. As scalp hair thins, areas like the chin and upper lip may begin to grow patches of hair, called “peach fuzz,” and even coarser, dark hairs. In some cases, increased hair growth can also appear on the chest, abdomen, or back.
These hair changes are normal. In fact, nearly 40% of women over age 45 report excess facial hair growth, especially on the chin.
This phenomenon is mostly due to changes in hormone balance. As estrogen levels decline during menopause, the ratio of estrogen to testosterone can shift, leading to the appearance of some secondary male characteristics like facial hair. Restoring hormonal balance can help reduce these effects.