Causes of Hair Loss in Women
There are a wide variety of causes of hair loss in women ranging from simple genetics to post-partum hair loss, to balding caused by medical treatments and trauma.
Your hair sheds a little bit every day, and that’s a natural part of life. The average woman loses anywhere from 50-100 strands each day[1], but if you begin to shed or lose significantly more than that or notice that your hair isn’t growing back as it used to — that’s a problem. Hair loss can present differently from woman to woman. Female hair loss can also be caused by a variety of factors. Hair loss can be anything from finding extra strands in your hairbrush or shower drain to female pattern hair loss or baldness.
Hair loss can appear as: gradual thinning on top of the head, patchy bald spots, sudden loosening of hair, or full body hair loss.[2] There are numerous underlying causes or triggers to hair loss, and it can be hard to pin down the exact reason why you’re experiencing it and how to remedy the situation.
Women who are older than 40, who have just had a baby, who have just undergone chemotherapy, who wear hairstyles that pull on the hair or use harsh chemicals on the hair, or who are menopausal are most likely to experience some sort of hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women Include:
Genetic Hair Loss: If you’re experiencing a progressive, gradual reduction in hair volume, there’s a chance that your hair loss may be due to your genes and family history. This is one of the most common causes of hair loss and is a hereditary condition called androgenic alopecia, or female pattern baldness.
Reactive Hair Loss: Reactive hair loss means the hair loss is reacting to a change in your body, such as, nutritional deficiency, severe stress, hormonal imbalance, or an illness.
Losing your hair can also be caused by a hormonal imbalance. A hormonal imbalance can lead to many health and beauty issues, from adult acne to weight gain. If your hormone levels are irregular, the effects will radiate throughout the body – including your hair. Hormonal imbalances in women are caused by several health conditions or lifestyle changes like pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, menopause, and thyroid disease.[3]
Medically Related Hair Loss in Women
Other causes of hair loss in women may include medical conditions or illnesses can cause hair loss as either a symptom of the condition or as a result of the treatment. Medications and supplements can cause hair loss, such as those used to treat high blood pressure. Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that can cause patchy hair loss and is usually not permanent.[4] Toxic substances, including those used to treat cancer through chemotherapy or radiation, can cause sudden hair loss.
Telogen Effluvium – High Levels of Stress on the Nervous System
We’re all familiar with the concept of stress literally making your hair fall out. It’s true. Extreme physical or emotional stress or trauma can cause temporary hair loss as well as prolonged hair loss. This type of hair loss is referred to as telogen effluvium. This type of hair loss has been widely associated with post-partum hair loss as well as the long-term effects of Covid 19. Emotional stress caused by mental illness, loss of a loved one can cause hair loss. Physical stress caused by sudden and/or dramatic weight loss, surgery, illness, having a baby, iron deficiency, or vitamin deficiency can cause hair loss. These types of hair loss tend to be temporary.[5]
If you’re suffering from female pattern hair loss we can help. Whether you suffering from hair loss in Fort Lauderdale, Florida or live near the New Jersey shore, we invite you to consider schedule a private, one-on-one consultation with a hair loss specialist who can answer all your questions at a Transitions member hair replacement and hair loss treatment center near you.
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hair-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20372926
[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8541-thyroid-disease
[4] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12423-alopecia-areata
[5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16921-hair-loss-in-women