Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Every woman would have experienced hair loss at some point in their lives. Sometimes, this could mean a serious underlying condition. Identifying the cause of your hair loss could help determine the right treatment options.

Have you ever wondered what the major causes of hair loss in women are? You may identify with some of those. If you also are experiencing some of the symptoms we have highlighted, you might need to visit a Trichologist.

How Common Is It?

Types of Hair Loss in Women

1. 1. Postpartum Hair Loss: Postpartum hair loss occurs a few weeks after childbirth. It occurs due to low hormone levels. During pregnancy, there is an increase in progesterone and estrogen levels. This increase puts hair in a prolonged anagen phase. These levels return to normal after the delivery, causing hair loss. Postpartum hair loss can also be caused due to nutrient deficiencies, post-surgery stress, etc.
   2. Stress-Related Hair Loss: Stress affects the hair follicle development and can impact the hair growth cycle. Stress-related hair loss, when left untreated, can lead to serious hair disorders like alopecia, telogen effluvium, and baldness.
   3. Drug-Induced Hair Loss: Hair loss can also be caused by drug intake. Certain drugs can induce either anagen or telogen effluvium. These can lead to patterned or diffused hair loss and can be acute or chronic.
   4. Alopecia: This means hair loss and there are two types of alopecia that affects women the most:

1. 1. Androgenic Alopecia: Hair loss occurs in patterns. The thinning of hair starts from the parting area and gradually spreads all over the crown. Female pattern hair loss is one such type.
   2. Alopecia Areata: Auto-immune disorder in which hair loss occurs in round/oval patches.
   3. Post-Partum Alopecia: Hair loss usually starts 3 months after childbirth and can continue for a few months.

1. 1. Trichotillomania: A compulsive disorder where one pulls out their own hair. The constant pulling of hair can lead to severe hair loss.
   2. Diffuse Thinning: Hair begins thinning all over the scalp.
   3. Nutrient Deficiencies: Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals, including iron, vitamin D, and calcium, can lead to hair loss.

In the following section, we will explore the causes of hair loss in women in detail.

Causes of Hair Loss in Women

1. 1. Hereditary Factors: You will likely have a hair loss problem if your parents do. Alopecia is normally caused due to genetics. While this is more evident in men, women too are likely to develop genetically inherited alopecia.
   2. Hormonal Changes: Hormonal changes in the body increase the sensitivity of hair follicles, weaken the hair roots, and cause excess hair fall. Issues like menopause, ovarian cysts, hypothyroidism, and hyperthyroidism change the body’s hormonal balance and may lead to hair loss.

1. 1. Pregnancy: During and after pregnancy, most women experience frequent dehydration, fatigue, and hormonal imbalances. These issues increase sensitivity in the hair follicles and create unfavourable scalp conditions, leading to chronic hair loss.
   2. Physical and Mental Stress: Drastic and excessive weight loss, persistent illness, and excessive physical labour may exhaust and dehydrate the body. This can cause the hair follicles to become malnourished and weak, leading to hair loss.

1. 1. Scalp Infections: Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections like seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis on the scalp can weaken hair roots and damage hair follicles. These infections can eventually lead to hair thinning and breakage.
   2. Autoimmune Disorders: Autoimmune disorders like alopecia areata are characterized by hair loss that happens when the immune system attacks the hair follicles. While there are treatments to reduce this type of hair loss, there is no definite cure.
   3. Medication and Treatments: Certain medical conditions call for treatments and surgeries that may cure the ailment, but cause hair loss as a side effect. Treatments like chemotherapy, steroids, typhoid medications, heart disease, depression, etc. may cause extreme hair fall.

1. 1. Over-processing and Styling: Going overboard with chemical hair treatments and hot styling tools can lead to hair fall. Heavy usage of hair products and accessories can lead to hair loss. Some hair products, like those containing sulphates, may harm your scalp in the long run. Hairstyles that require the hair to be pulled tight (like tight braids or ponytails) can also cause hair fall.
   2. Iron Deficiency, Anemia, and Blood Loss: Deficiency of red blood cells in the body, sudden blood loss, and insufficient iron levels in the body can also cause hair loss.

1. Crash Diets and Malnutrition: Insufficient nutrient intake or being on a crash diet can cause malnourishment, leading to excessive hair fall.
2. Over-Supplementation: Over-supplementation of nutrients like vitamins A and E, and selenium, has been found to cause hair loss as well. Consulting your doctor before going for any supplements is ideal. Also, it is better to get your nutrients first from organic foods and natural sources.

When to Consult a Trichologist: Symptoms or Signs to Look For

These are the major causes of hair loss in women. While some of them can be reversed with dietary changes, some of them need a medical diagnosis. We have discussed the signs and symptoms you need to look for before visiting a Trichologist.

Consult a Trichologist if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Hair loss in an unusual pattern
• Pain or itching along with hair loss
• Red, scaly, or abnormal-looking scalp
• Male pattern baldness (in women)
• Bald spots on the eyebrows
• Weight gain, muscle weakness, temperature sensitivity, or fatigue paired with the hair loss
• A scalp infection with hair loss

Diagnosis

At our centres, our Trichologists/Hair Specialists will first check your hair and scalp conditions. Specially developed for both men and women, the Advanced Age Defying Hair Treatment can counteract age-related changes in the density and diameter of the hair. The elaborate treatment process incorporates premium European Herbal Hair Remedy to promote hair growth as well as nourish and strengthen hair follicles.
All treatments at TrichoKare are validated by certified Trichologists. They are specialists who study and diagnose hair and scalp problems, giving customers an added assurance of its effectiveness.
Dealing with hair loss can be hard. But with the right measures and treatment options, hair regrowth is often possible. Understanding what is causing your hair loss can help you adopt the right practices to treat your condition. Book an appointment with us and we can suggest the right mode of treatment for you.