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Nutrafol for women 45+: does it work for thinner hair during menopause? 5 facts about studies, price and minoxidil

by Team Minodeals on Oct 29, 2026

Nutrafol for women 45+ (known in the US as Women's Balance) is a hair supplement for women in and after menopause. Does it work? In a small, placebo-controlled study with 70 women aged 40 to 65 years, women who took Nutrafol had more hair than the placebo group after 3 and 6 months, and more than 32% less hair loss after 6 months.^[1] But that study was partly carried out by the manufacturer, and Dutch GP information is critical of vitamin pills against balding.^[5] For hereditary thinner hair, minoxidil remains on the scalp the first choice.^[6] In this article you can read 5 facts about Nutrafol: what is in it, what the studies really show, what it costs per month and how it compares to minoxidil.

What is Nutrafol for women 45+ and what is it? is in it?

Nutrafol is an American brand of hair supplements. The variant for women 45+ is intended for women during and after menopause. It is a dietary supplement: it is not intended to prevent or treat any disease. You take 4 capsules per day with a meal. A refill pack contains 120 capsules, so it lasts about 30 days.

According to the product information, it contains ashwagandha, saw palmetto, tocotrienols (a form of vitamin E), marine collagen and curcumin. The full composition with quantities is on the label.

Characteristic	Nutrafol for women 45+
Type of product	Nutritional supplement (capsules)
For whom	Women during and after menopause
Dosage	4 capsules per day with a meal
Packaging	120 capsules, approximately 30 days
Mentioned ingredients	Ashwagandha, saw palmetto, tocotrienols, marine collagen, curcumin
Price at Minodeals	€89.99 per refill pack (approximately €90 per month)
Do not use with	Pregnancy, breastfeeding or allergy to an ingredient

Supplement for the menopause

Nutrafol for Women 45+ refill pack

120 capsules for about a month. Please note: this product is sold as a pre-order.

€89,99View Nutrafol →

Why does your hair become thinner during menopause?

Many women's hair becomes thinner during or after menopause. The hair follicles can then become more sensitive to male hormones, and heredity plays a major role.^[5] Typically, the hair gradually thins on the middle of the head, around the parting, while the hairline at the front usually remains.^[6]

Explanation about thinning hair during menopause: hormones change, the hair becomes thinner at the parting, the hairline usually remains standing and with sudden or spot hair loss to the doctor

Not every form of hair loss around the age of fifty is hereditary. Do you suddenly lose a lot of hair, do you get bald spots, or do you also have other complaints such as fatigue? Then go to the doctor first. Hair loss in specific places can be a sign of a disease, and the doctor can, for example, order blood tests for iron or the thyroid gland.^[6] A supplement or minoxidil does not solve such an underlying cause.

What do the studies of Nutrafol show?

The most important study is a randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study from 2021. In it, 40 women in (around) menopause took Nutrafol Women's Balance for 6 months and 30 women took a placebo.^[1] An open follow-up phase of another 6 months followed.^[2]

Day 90

The number of terminal hairs (thick, mature hairs) and the total number of hairs is significantly higher than in the placebo group.^[1]

Day 180

The hair loss is 32.41% lower than in the placebo group and the number of thin downy hairs has increased. The supplement was well tolerated.^[1]

Month 12

In the open follow-up phase (without placebo group), the researchers report further improvements in hair growth, hair quality and hair loss.^[2]

That sounds good, but there are clear caveats:

Small study. 70 participants is not enough to draw firm conclusions. pulling.
Conflict of interest. Two of the three authors work at the company behind Nutrafol.^[2]
No control group after 6 months. The results after one year come from an open phase in which everyone received the supplement.
Self-perceived thinning hair. The women did not have to have an established diagnosis.^[3]

A systematic review in JAMA Dermatology (2022) included Nutrafol among the supplements with a possible effect in the highest quality studies, alongside Viviscal, among others. Side effects were rare and mild, but the review did not indicate how large the effect is.^[4] Thuisarts.nl is more cautious and states that vitamin pills do not help against balding.^[5] Health and Science also warns against expensive supplements without evidence, and says that vitamins and minerals without a proven deficiency are usually of little use.^[6] In short: there is some evidence, but it is limited.

Do you want to know more about a similar supplement? Also read Viviscal Pro: does it work against thinning hair?

Nutrafol or minoxidil: which works better?

For hereditary thinner hair in women, minoxidil on the scalp (foam or lotion) is the first choice.^[6] According to Apotheek.nl, minoxidil reduces hair loss in about 1 in 2 women.^[7] Thuisarts.nl is less positive: it helps a little for about 1 in 6 people.^[5] The evidence for minoxidil is much more extensive than for any hair supplement. Nutrafol is therefore not a replacement for minoxidil, but at most a supplement.

Feature	Nutrafol 45+	Minoxidil 5% foam (women)	Minoxidil 2% lotion (women)
Form	Capsules, by mouth	Foam on the scalp	Lotion on the scalp
Use	4 capsules per day	Half a cap once a day	According to the package leaflet
Evidence	Limited: small studies, partly by the manufacturer	First choice for hereditary thinning hair	First choice for hereditary thinning hair
First effect	In the study after 90 days	After approximately 4 months, assess after 6 months	After approximately 4 months, assess after 6 months
Price per month at Minodeals	Approximately €90	Approximately €20 to €25	Approximately €22
Note	Not during pregnancy or breastfeeding	Not during pregnancy, under 18 or over 65; If you have heart problems, first go to the doctor	Not during pregnancy; If you have heart problems, first consult your doctor. In

The timing of minoxidil comes from Apotheek.nl: effect after about 4 months, maximum effect after about a year, and if you see no improvement after 6 months, then there is little point in continuing.^[7] Are you unsure between the strengths? In minoxidil 2% or 5% for women read the differences.

1 time a day

Regaine Foam 5% 4 Months For Women

Minoxidil 5% foam for women, half a cap on the dry once a day scalp.

€99,99View Regaine foam →

Inexpensive alternative

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% For Women

Same active ingredient and strength as the foam above, approximately 2 months per bottle.

From €39.99View Kirkland foam →

Can you combine Nutrafol and minoxidil?

Yes, you can. You take Nutrafol, you apply minoxidil to the scalp, and there are no known reasons not to use them together. Discuss it with your doctor or pharmacist if you use other substances, have a heart or vascular condition or want to become pregnant.^[7] This is what a simple routine looks like:

Daily routine with a hair supplement and minoxidil foam: 4 capsules with a meal, foam on the dry scalp once a day, do not wash for 4 hours and assess the result after 6 months

With breakfast or lunch: 4 capsules of Nutrafol with a meal.
On a dry scalp: Half a dose once a day cap of minoxidil 5% foam, spread over the thin areas. Not immediately after showering.^[7]
Let it absorb: Do not wash your hair for the first 4 hours after application.
Give it time: judge the result only after 6 months and take a photo in the same light every month.

Two points to note. You may temporarily lose more hair in the first few weeks of taking minoxidil. This is very rare and is usually temporary.^[7] And will you have your blood taken? If your supplement contains biotin (check the label), please report this, as biotin can interfere with the results of some blood tests.^[8]

Prefer 2%

Foligain Lotion 2% 3 Months For Women

Minoxidil 2% lotion for women, for 3 months.

€64,99View Foligain 2% →

Frequently asked questions

How quickly does Nutrafol work?

In the study in women around menopause, a difference with placebo was visible after 90 days, and after 180 days hair loss was 32.41% lower. Count on at least 3 to 6 months of daily use before you can judge anything. Results vary per person.

Is Nutrafol the same as minoxidil?

No. Nutrafol is a nutritional supplement with plant extracts and vitamins that you take. Minoxidil is applied to the scalp and has a lot more research behind it. Minoxidil is the first choice for hereditary thinning hair in women.

What does Nutrafol cost per month?

At Minodeals a refill pack with 120 capsules costs €89.99. With 4 capsules per day that is approximately one month, so approximately €90 per month. Minoxidil foam or lotion for women costs approximately €20 to €25 per month at Minodeals.

Can I use Nutrafol if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?

No, it is not recommended. If you use other substances or have a condition, consult your doctor or pharmacist first.

When should I go to the doctor if I have thinning hair?

Go to the doctor if you suddenly lose a lot of hair, develop bald spots, have other complaints such as fatigue, or if it makes you sad or insecure. Then it is important to first find the cause.

Getting started with fuller-looking hair?

Start with minoxidil as a base and choose whether you want to try Nutrafol as a supplement.

View minoxidil for women →

120 day money back guarantee · Free shipping from €40 · Ordered before 23:00, shipped today

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of October 2026.

Sources

Ablon G, Kogan S. A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Promoting Hair Growth in Perimenopausal, Menopausal, and Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2021.
Ablon G, Kogan S, Raymond I. A Long-Term Study of the Safety and Efficacy of a Nutraceutical Supplement for Promoting Hair Growth in Perimenopausal, Menopausal, and Postmenopausal Women. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2022 (English).
ClinicalTrials.gov. Efficacy and Safety of a Nutraceutical Supplement With Standardized Botanicals in Peri-menopausal and Menopausal Women With Thinning Hair (NCT04048031) (English).
HealthDay. Nutritional Supplements May Have Role in Hair Loss Treatment, about the systematic review by Drake et al. in JAMA Dermatology, 2022 (English).
Thuisarts.nl (NHG). I'm going bald (female).
Health and Science. Hair loss.
Apotheek.nl (KNMP). Minoxidil on the skin.
American Society of Anesthesiologists. FDA Safety Communication: Biotin (Vitamin B7) May Interfere with Lab Tests, 2017 (English).