The Top 8 Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss is not entirely new; it happens to everyone almost every day. From bathing to blowing, to brushing, plenty of daily activities occur each day that can cause hair to fall out. In fact, most people lose about 50-100 strands of hair every day. This is quite natural, and the body produces new hair strands to replace the lost ones.

However, hair loss is not always natural. In some cases, it may be caused by abnormal medical conditions which may require the intervention of a dermatologist. 

In this piece, we will discuss the eight most common causes of hair loss in women and how to handle the situation. 

1. Hereditary Hair Loss

When hair loss is hereditary, it is called androgenetic alopecia. The American Academy of Dermatology has identified this as the biggest culprit of hair loss globally. Although you can inherit the gene from either parent, your chances are much higher if both direct parents suffered hair loss. 

The manifestation of this trait starts with the thinning of the hairline right behind the bangs. Young people are also prone to the condition – ages 20 and above, especially if the mother has a similar thinning pattern. Note that the loss may spread across the whole scalp in some cases. 

2. Telogen Effluvium

A person with telogen effluvium will shed large amounts of hair daily, either when brushing, styling, or shampooing their hair. This condition usually sets in after extreme stress, serious weight loss, advance surgery, or pregnancy. Telogen effluvium can be a post-medication condition, especially if such medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, or antidepressants. 

You will notice a rapid hair shift from the growing to the resting phase, which finally culminates into the telogen phase. Widespread shedding occurs during the telogen phase. Telogen effluvium starts manifesting 1-3 months after a stressful event. It may lead to loss of chunks of hair when in the advanced stage. 

3. Lupus

This chronic autoimmune disease causes the body’s immune system to attack healthy tissues.  Over 1.5 million people worldwide have lupus, including women in their childbearing years. 

Top symptoms of lupus include headaches, painful, swollen joints, fatigue, oral ulcers, and headaches. People with lupus often have a butterfly-shaped rash across the nose bridge and increased sensitivity to the sun. They may also experience fever, chest pain, anemia, and swelling around the eyes, in the feet, and hands. 

Hair loss is another common symptom, although it is usually mild and happens during brushing or shampooing. In rare severe cases, hair loss may be in patches alongside a rash on the scalp. 

4. Hypothyroidism

Thyroid disease occurs when the body produces insufficient thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) or excessive thyroid hormone (hyperthyroidism). The thyroid produces hormones that modulate mood, heart rate, and metabolism. It also influences basal metabolic rate — the rate at which your body consumes oxygen and energy. This hormone also drives the growth of nails, skin, and hair. 

Thyroid-related symptoms depend on their amount in the body. When insufficient (hypothyroidism), it causes unusual weight gain, depression, short attention span, constipation, and fatigue. Other symptoms include brittle skin, nails, and hair.

Conversely, when in excess (hyperthyroidism), the symptoms include diarrhea, muscle weakness, heart palpitations, unusual weight loss, nervousness, startled eyes, and irritability, among others. Your metabolic rate also increases, which causes hair loss.

5. Iron Deficiency Anemia

Iron deficiency is usually caused by heavy periods or failing to consume enough iron. When this happens, your body does not produce enough red blood cells in the blood, thus impairing the transport of oxygen to cells in the body. Without oxygen getting to the cells, the body cannot produce the energy it needs to function. 

The symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include pale skin, weakness, and serious fatigue. Others include short attention span, headaches, hair loss, and cold feet and hands.  There may be shortening of breath whenever there is any form of exertion. 

6. Skin conditions of the scalp

An unhealthy scalp can lead to inflammation and poor hair growth. Skin conditions like psoriasis (an autoimmune condition) and seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) are culprits of hair loss, alongside ringworm and some other fungal infections. 

Seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) causes the shedding of the skin of the scalp. This gives way for yellowish and greasy scales in the hair or on the shoulders. Dandruff is usually a result of Malassezia (a yeast), excess skin oil, or hormonal changes. 

Psoriasis, on the other hand, forces a spike in the rate of skin cell turnover. This, in turn, leads to the formation of a very thick white scale on the scalp. These white scales can cause bleeding if pulled off. 

7. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is very common among American women, with about five million sufferers at the moment. Caused by hormonal imbalance, the condition may start manifesting from age 11 and causes the ovaries to produce excess male hormones. 

In addition to infertility, PCOS causes the presence of cysts on the ovaries, acne, irregular periods, and facial hair growth. Hair loss on the scalp is another symptom, although this comes with the development of more hair on other body parts. 

8. Alopecia Areata

With about 4.7 million sufferers in America, alopecia areata is another prevalent immune disorder. It forces the immune system to attack the hair follicles. Experts are yet to identify the causes, but illness and stress are potential culprits. 

Alopecia areata is usually found in three forms. The first form, alopecia universalis, is hair loss which occurs all over the body. The second form, alopecia totalis, denotes complete hair loss from the head. Finally, alopecia areata occurs on the scalp and causes round, smooth patches of baldness.

Parting Words

Suffering from hair loss obviously isn’t life-threatening, but can cause a lot of problems with self-esteem and confidence. As a result, many people who notice hair loss or thinning will evaluate their options to address it. If you are one of those people, consider scheduling a visit with your dermatologist to discuss options. He or she may refer you to a hair transplant clinic, where experts can perform a hair transplant. While this can be an expensive procedure, it is one that many people feel is worthwhile.