Women’s Hair Loss

Although men tend to display hair loss more obviously, most people do not realize that women also experience hair loss almost as frequently as men.  A certain amount of hair loss is normal in all men, with about 10% of scalp hair in a state of rest or renewed growth at any given time.  However, even women can experience a greater than normal loss of hair resulting in thinning, balding, or patchy hair.

The causes of hair loss in women are more varied.  While more men tend to experience baldness due to genetic pattern hair loss, women also may have a genetic trigger that causes hair loss.  The good news for women is that in most cases, the trigger does not result in complete baldness.  But what are some of the other causes of hair loss in women?

Medication Contributing to Hair Loss

Many women experience hair loss from regular prescription medications.  Though it is widely known that chemotherapy, a cancer treatment, is a major cause of medicinal hair loss, hair loss can also be attributed to birth control pills or anti-depressants.

These types of hair loss are most often reversible.  Sometimes a change in medication is all that is needed.  If the problematic medication is ceased completely, then hair usually begins to re-grow normally after about 3 months.

Hormonal Hair Loss

Over time, an excessive buildup of the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) can cause hair follicles to shrink and cease hair growth.  This results in a thinning and sometimes patchy hair loss pattern.  Some hair follicles may eventually die, but hormonal hair loss can be treated.

Some women may experience symptomatic hair loss because of overactive hormones due to polycystic ovary syndrome.  Cysts on the ovaries may cause an overproduction of the male hormone, testosterone, and result in thinning hair.

Post Natal Hair Loss

Many women suffer from hair loss about 3 to 4 months after giving birth.  During pregnancy, hormonal balances may be affected and disrupt the normal resting state of hair.  Some women experience fuller, richer hair during pregnancy, as their hair remains intact and does not fall out at the normal rate.  However, after birth, hormonal levels return to normal, and hair that normally would have been in a resting state during pregnancy will tend to stop growing.  Three months after birth, the normally resting hair will fall out as normal, resulting in a greater than normal hair loss.  Post pregnancy hair loss is usually a correcting cycle and does not result in permanent hair loss.

Improper Hair Care

Many women experience hair loss due to improper hair care.  Excessive pulling of the hair, such as in pigtails, cornrows, or hair curlers, over a long period of time can cause hair roots to become damaged and even scarred.  Prolonged chemical treatment from permanents or hair color can also damage hair roots.  If roots become scarred, hair loss may be irreversible.  However, if the bad practices of hair care are ceased before scarring, normal hair growth can continue.

Other Medical Causes

  • Auto-immune – Some women may experience an auto-immune disorder resulting in an inflammatory skin condition.  This may cause patchy hair loss on the scalp and other places on the body.
  • Major stress or surgery – Sometimes the body responds to higher stress levels such as a major surgery by ceasing hair growth.  Sudden stress may cause hair to stop growing and fall out, but generally will resume growth in the long run.
  • Disease – Some diseases such as diabetes or lupus can cause hair loss.