Nutrafol vs Viviscal: do hair growth supplements work in menopause?
Both Nutrafol and Viviscal have small placebo-controlled trials showing more hair, but the trials were small and linked to the companies. Neither has evidence as strong as minoxidil, and neither replaces seeing a doctor about hair loss.
See a doctor if hair falls out suddenly or in patches, your scalp is sore, red or scarred, or you also feel tired, cold or short of breath. These can point to thyroid problems, low iron or other conditions that need tests.
Do hair growth supplements work?
Some may help some people. A systematic review in JAMA Dermatology, published in 2023, included 30 studies of supplements in people without a known nutritional deficiency.3
Among the studies with the highest-quality evidence, it listed Viviscal and Nutrafol as showing possible benefit. Side effects were rare and mild.3 Still, "highest-quality" here often means a few small trials.
The review authors asked doctors to talk through the possible risks and benefits with each patient. They also called for larger trials that compare supplements with proven treatments.3
Hair loss in midlife has many causes. Cleveland Clinic lists menopause, thyroid disease, anemia, stress and some medicines.5 A supplement will not fix a cause it does not address.
Nutrafol: ingredients and the published trial
Nutrafol Women's Balance is marketed for women in menopause. The brand lists ingredients including saw palmetto, ashwagandha, marine collagen and biotin. Formulas change, so check the current label.
A 2021 trial tested it in 70 women with self-perceived thinning hair who were in perimenopause, menopause or postmenopause. Forty took the supplement and 30 took a placebo.1
After 180 days, the supplement group had more terminal and total hairs on photo analysis than the placebo group. Shedding fell by about 32%. The authors reported it as well tolerated.1
One of the two authors is listed as working for Nutraceutical Wellness Inc., the company behind the product. The published summary does not say who funded the trial.1
Ashwagandha has had a regulator warning about liver damage in Australia.7 Ask a doctor if you have liver disease.
Viviscal: ingredients and the published trial
Viviscal is built around a marine protein complex. In a 2012 trial, the tablets contained AminoMar C (shark and mollusk powder), silica from horsetail and vitamin C.2 If you have a fish or shellfish allergy, ask a pharmacist first.
The trial included 15 women with self-perceived thinning hair. Ten took Viviscal and 5 took a placebo for 180 days.2
Terminal hair counts in a small scalp area rose sharply in the supplement group. They fell slightly with placebo.2 No side effects were reported.
The maker of Viviscal at the time funded the study. The author received a research grant from the company.2 With only 15 women at one site, the result needs larger, independent trials.
Menopause hair supplements and biotin: a lab-test warning
Many hair supplements contain biotin. The US Food and Drug Administration warns that biotin can interfere with some lab tests.4
The FDA has had reports of biotin causing falsely low troponin results. Troponin is a blood test used to check for heart attacks.4 A wrong result could delay care.
Tell your doctor and the lab about any hair, skin or nail supplement before blood tests. Do not stop a medicine on your own; ask your doctor. Read more on our biotin page.
How they compare with minoxidil, and where to start
Minoxidil has much stronger evidence. A Cochrane review of several trials with over 1,000 women found it roughly doubled the chance of visible regrowth.6 Side effects were mostly mild, such as scalp itch and irritation.6 It is available over the counter in many countries, sold as Regaine in the UK.
Cleveland Clinic advises seeing a dermatologist early, because earlier treatment works better.5 Minoxidil should not be used in pregnancy, which is still possible in perimenopause.5,6
Our hair products page lists Nutrafol and Viviscal with the brands' own claims. See thinning hair for causes and checks.
Questions to ask a doctor or pharmacist before you buy a hair supplement:
- What is the most likely cause of my hair loss, and do I need blood tests first?
- Has this product been tested in women like me, and who paid for the trial?
- Could it affect any blood tests or medicines I take?
- Is it suitable if I could become pregnant or have liver disease?
- How long should I try it before deciding whether it helps?
What it is used for: evidence rated
| Option | Evidence | What the research shows |
|---|---|---|
| Topical minoxidil | A Cochrane review found it roughly doubles the chance of moderate or better regrowth versus placebo.6 | |
| Testing for a cause | Blood tests can find thyroid disease, low iron or vitamin problems behind hair loss.5 | |
| Nutrafol Women's Balance | One 70-woman placebo trial over 180 days, with an author from the company behind the product.1 | |
| Viviscal | A 15-woman placebo trial funded by the maker found more terminal hairs.2 | |
| Hair supplements in general | A 2023 systematic review found some products may help some people, but much of the evidence is small trials, often linked to the makers.3 | |
| Biotin | Common in hair supplements; it can cause falsely low troponin results on some lab tests.4 |
Ratings explained: how we rate. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting a medicine or supplement.
Related
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 with thinning hair, J Drugs Dermatol 20(1):55-61 (2021)
- Ablon G, A double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy of an oral supplement in women with self-perceived thinning hair, J Clin Aesthet Dermatol (2012)
- Drake L et al. Evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of nutritional supplements for treating hair loss: a systematic review, JAMA Dermatology 159(1):79-86 (2023), PubMed abstract
- Biotin interference with troponin lab tests, US Food and Drug Administration (2022)
- Hair loss in women, Cleveland Clinic
- Interventions for female pattern hair loss, Cochrane (2016)
- Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes, Australasian Menopause Society (2025)