The cause of hair loss in women

Every woman is aware that seeing strands of hair falling on a hairbrush or bathroom floor triggers a deep sense of anxiety. While losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is a normal part of the regeneration cycle, it becomes a motivation to look after when it exceeds this rate and leads to gradual weakness or noticeable thinning. Here, the question turns from 'How many hairs do I lose?' to the more important question: What causes hair loss in women?

This article is your compass for identifying the root of the problem. We'll delve deeper into the underlying causes, from complex hormonal disorders like PCOS and thyroid dysfunction, to vitamin deficiencies and stress. Most importantly, we will show you when hair loss is serious and what are the red flags that warrant an immediate visit to the doctor, to guide you towards an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
Read on to find out how you can restore your hair's density and vitality with the right information.

The Cause of Hair Loss in Women

The cause of hair loss in women is attributed to medical factors, hormonal changes, or even daily lifestyle. Physicians indicate that there are over 30 health conditions that can trigger this problem. The most common causes of hair loss in women are:

1. Thyroid Disorders:

   • Cause: A dysfunction in thyroid activity (either hyper- or hypothyroidism) leads to a severe imbalance in the hormones that control the hair growth cycle.

   • Indicating Symptoms: Generalized scalp hair shedding, often accompanied by chronic fatigue, changes in weight (unexplained gain or loss), and dry skin.

2. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS):

   • Cause: This syndrome leads to the overproduction of androgens (male hormones), which negatively affects the hair follicles sensitive to these hormones.

   • Indicating Symptoms: Thinning hair in the scalp area accompanied by increased hair growth in unwanted areas (like the face and body), in addition to menstrual irregularities and acne.

3. Androgenetic and Autoimmune Alopecia (Alopecia Areata):

   • Cause: Androgenetic alopecia is a gradual thinning with age. Alopecia Areata (Autoimmune) is an immune disorder where the body mistakenly attacks hair follicles.

   • Indicating Symptoms: Sudden and localized hair loss appearing as round or oval bald patches.

4. Fungal Infection of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis):

   • Cause: A fungal infection of the scalp that spreads quickly among individuals.

   • Indicating Symptoms: The appearance of hairless patches with scaling, which may be inflamed, accompanied by itching and redness, sometimes resembling a thick dandruff appearance.

5. Acute Hormonal Changes (Postpartum):

   • Cause: A sudden and significant drop in estrogen levels occurs right after childbirth, pushing a large number of hairs into the telogen (shedding) phase.

   • Indicating Symptoms: Sudden and severe hair shedding noticed when brushing or showering, usually starting 3 to 6 months postpartum.

6. Medications, Chronic Conditions, and Aging:

   • Cause: Some medications, such as birth control pills, antidepressants, blood pressure, and blood thinners, may contribute to hair loss, especially in women with a genetic predisposition. Also, the drop in estrogen during menopause leads to gradual, general hair thinning.

   • Indicating Symptoms: General and persistent hair thinning, usually starting some time after initiating a new medication regimen.

In general, in many cases, hair regrowth can be restored by treating the primary cause of hair loss in women; therefore, early medical diagnosis is always recommended.

 

Causes of Excessive Hair Loss Postpartum

Excessive hair loss after childbirth is a normal, temporary phenomenon known as "Postpartum Telogen Effluvium," a direct result of the massive hormonal shifts in a woman's body after pregnancy.

This intensive shedding, which typically begins 2 to 4 months postpartum, is due to the following main factors:

• Acute Drop in Estrogen Hormone: During pregnancy, estrogen levels surge, keeping a large number of hairs in the active growth phase. Postpartum, these levels suddenly drop, pushing all those previously retained hairs into the resting (telogen) phase and causing them to shed all at once.

• Depletion of Iron and Vitamin Stores: Pregnancy and lactation consume a lot of the mother's essential vitamins and mineral reserves, particularly iron and Vitamin D. This nutritional deficiency can weaken hair follicles, exacerbating the normal hormonal shedding.

• Stress and Emotional Pressure: Sleep deprivation and the physical and emotional stress accompanying newborn care can be an additional cause, worsening the Telogen Effluvium, as stress directly impacts the hair growth cycle.

The Main Causes of Hair Loss in Females Aged 18

Although late adolescence and early adulthood are generally healthy periods, the cause of hair loss in women at the age of 18 is primarily linked to hormonal changes, academic and social pressures, and dietary habits. This condition often requires accurate diagnosis to rule out any underlying health issue:

• Stress and Emotional Strain (Telogen Effluvium): This stage is often filled with pressures related to university studies or exams. Severe emotional stress can push a large number of hair follicles into the Telogen phase, leading to heavy shedding a few months after the stressful period.

• Nutritional Deficiencies and Anemia: Strict or unbalanced diets are often observed in this age group. Deficiencies in Iron (Anemia), Vitamin D, and Zinc are main contributors to early hair thinning.

• Thyroid Disorders: Thyroid problems can start manifesting during this age, causing a hormonal imbalance that directly affects the hair growth cycle.

• Early Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Symptoms of PCOS may start appearing, including scalp hair thinning, accompanied by increased body hair, irregular menstruation, and acne.

• Genetic Factors: Female Pattern Hair Loss (Androgenetic Alopecia) can begin to show as slow, progressive thinning around the hair part, especially if there is a family history of hair loss.

What is the Difference Between Normal and Abnormal Hair Loss?

 Normal Hair Loss

Normal hair loss is an essential and healthy part of the hair life cycle. It is completely normal for a woman to lose 50 to 100 hairs daily. This shedding occurs when hair follicles reach the "Telogen" or resting phase, where the old hair sheds to make way for a new hair that starts growing in its place. This type of shedding is random and evenly distributed across the scalp, does not lead to noticeable thinning of hair density, and indicates that the hair follicles are actively functioning and regenerating.

Abnormal (Pathological) Hair Loss

Abnormal shedding occurs when the daily rate exceeds the normal limit (more than 100 hairs consistently), or when the hair growth pattern changes drastically. In this case, the cause of hair loss in women is usually linked to an internal or external imbalance. The most notable pathological causes include: hormonal disorders (like thyroid dysfunction or PCOS), acute vitamin and mineral deficiencies (like iron and Vitamin D), or Telogen Effluvium resulting from physical or emotional stress. This type of shedding is characterized by clear signs such as general thinning of hair density, widening of the hair part, or the appearance of bald patches.

Hair Loss Tests and Essential Diagnostic Examinations

Accurate diagnosis through laboratory tests is the cornerstone in determining the cause of hair loss in women, as comprehensive blood test results can reveal the hormonal imbalance or nutritional deficiency behind the abnormal shedding.

• Ferritin Levels Test (Ferritin): This is the most accurate indicator of iron stores in the body. Iron deficiency is a major cause of hair thinning, as it affects the oxygen supply to the follicles.

• Thyroid Panel Tests (Thyroid Panel): Includes tests for Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone ($TSH$) and hormones ($T3$, $T4$), to detect any hypo- or hyper-activity that directly impacts the hair growth cycle.

• Sex Hormone Tests: Such as Testosterone, $DHEA$, and Prolactin, to check for any hormonal disorders, especially in cases where Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ($PCOS$) is suspected.

• Measurement of Vitamin and Mineral Levels: Analysis of Vitamin D ($Vitamin D$), Zinc ($Zinc$), and Biotin ($Biotin$) levels, which play a vital role in supporting the strength and health of hair follicles.

• Hair Pull Test (Pull Test): A simple clinical test performed by the doctor to gently pull a small cluster of hair (about 40-60 hairs) to determine if the shedding rate is in the active phase or not.

When is Hair Loss Dangerous for Women?

Hair loss is considered normal within the natural growth cycle of hair follicles, but when is hair loss dangerous for women? The truth is, the danger begins when shedding exceeds the normal daily rates, which range between 50 to 150 hairs per day, and when excessive hair loss is noticed beyond this limit, or if accompanying symptoms appear that indicate the hair loss has become serious, such as:

• Continuous and profuse shedding without an obvious reason.

• The appearance of bald patches or noticeable recession of the front hairline.

• Severe itching or pain in the scalp.

• Hair loss accompanied by general symptoms such as exhaustion, weight loss, or menstrual irregularities.

• A family history of autoimmune diseases or hormonal disorders.

In general, these previous signs may indicate an underlying health, physical, or hormonal imbalance that requires medical intervention. Therefore, it is preferable to consult a specialized doctor to determine the main cause of hair loss in women and treat it appropriately.

When is Hair Transplantation the Only Solution?

After learning about the cause of hair loss in women, in some complex cases, hair transplantation may be the only solution to restore natural hair density. These cases include:

• Genetic baldness (Androgenetic Alopecia).

• Obvious bald patches in the scalp.

• Failure of medical hair loss treatments.

Generally, when the hair loss problem reaches an advanced stage that makes reliance on traditional treatments difficult, especially when the cause of hair loss in women is one of the previous factors, hair transplantation becomes the most effective and sometimes the only option to restore the desired natural look and density. Here, the DHI Center stands out as the best hair transplantation center in Egypt, offering the latest hair transplantation techniques with utmost precision and various methods to suit all cases. Contact us now and enjoy guaranteed, natural results that last a lifetime.

Treatment of Hair Loss in Women

Effective hair loss treatment heavily relies on accurate and targeted diagnosis, as the cause of hair loss in women must be precisely determined before setting a treatment plan. Once the cause is identified, a set of integrated therapeutic strategies—encompassing medical and nutritional aspects—can be applied:

• Topical Drug Treatment: Using Minoxidil solutions (2% or 5%), which is an approved treatment that works by dilating blood vessels in the scalp, enhancing blood flow and nutrients to the follicles to stimulate hair growth.

• Hormonal Treatment: If hair loss is caused by hormonal disorders (like $PCOS$ or thyroid dysfunction), treatment focuses on balancing hormones using targeted medications prescribed by a specialist doctor, such as anti-androgens for PCOS cases.

• Correcting Nutritional Deficiencies: Taking appropriate dietary supplements to treat any deficiency diagnosed in tests, such as iron, Vitamin D, and zinc supplements, under medical supervision and for the specified duration.

• Advanced and Procedural Care: Advanced treatment plans may include Platelet-Rich Plasma ($PRP$) injection sessions, which are injected into the scalp to stimulate stem cells in the follicles.

• Stress Management and Lifestyle: Treating Telogen Effluvium resulting from stress through practicing yoga, meditation, or ensuring sufficient good-quality sleep, as reducing psychological pressure is a fundamental factor in restoring the normal hair growth cycle.

How to Prevent Hair Loss

Prevention is the first line of defense against hair density loss, and it relies on adopting healthy habits and addressing known risk factors before they worsen. For prevention to be effective, it is essential to understand the factors that increase the likelihood of the problem. Here are the most important prevention strategies, considering the factors that could be the cause of hair loss in women:

• Balanced and Rich Nutrition:

  • Ensuring a comprehensive diet that provides adequate amounts of protein (the building block of hair), iron, zinc, and Omega-3.

  • Eating foods rich in Biotin and vitamins (especially Vitamin D) to support follicle health and prevent deficiencies that can lead to shedding.

• Stress Management:

  • Practicing relaxation techniques and reducing chronic stress, as stress is a major factor in Telogen Effluvium.

  • Ensuring 7-8 hours of quality sleep daily to support hormonal balance and bodily recovery.

• Gentle Hair Care:

  • Avoiding hairstyles that severely pull the scalp (such as tight braids or tight ponytails).

  • Limiting the use of harsh chemical treatments (like straightening) and high-heat tools, as they weaken the hair structure and increase breakage.

• Regular Medical Follow-up:

  • Conducting periodic blood tests to check levels of iron (ferritin), thyroid hormones, and Vitamin D, especially if there is a family history of hair loss.

  • Treating any hormonal disorders (like $PCOS$) or autoimmune diseases immediately upon diagnosis to avoid the worsening of hair loss.