5 Common Causes of Female Hair Loss
Dr. Hootan Zandifar, MD FACS, is a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon at the ZandifarMD in Beverly Hills, CA. A native of Los Angeles, he received his medical degree from the prestigious David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and was then accepted... more
In an earlier article, we discussed the 5 common causes of male hair loss. It is only fitting to now discuss the 5 common causes of female hair loss. First, a little about hair loss in women.
Female hair loss may seem like a condition that only affects a small portion of the population, however, that is not true. Over the course of a lifetime, approximately 1 in 5 women will suffer from hair loss or thinning of the hair. Interestingly, only about 10% of these women will seek medical advice and treatment for their hair loss. This means that 90% of females who suffer from hair loss, continue to do so without any treatment or intervention. This is the main reason why hair loss in women is not so commonly known to most people. So, what are the most common cause of hair loss in women?
It may surprise you to know that the number one cause of hair loss in women is in fact the same as the number one cause of hair loss in men - genetics or androgenetic alopecia to be more precise. Androgenetic alopecia is better known as male pattern baldness but females who are carriers of the group of genes associated with this hair loss will also exhibit hair thinning and hair loss. The pattern of their hair loss is, however, different than that of men.
Another cause of female hair loss is a condition known as telogen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is hair loss that is associated with stress. These stresses can be psychological, such as hair loss due to the pandemic, or physical such as abuse. The hair follicles will thin and fall in response to the elevation of stress hormones. In most cases, this is reversible if the stressor is removed.
Yet, another common cause of female hair loss is hormonal imbalances. Hair loss can be seen with cases of low and high thyroid and it can be associated with pregnancy. In each case, the specific cause needs to be diagnosed and appropriately treated.
Traction alopecia is another common cause of hair loss in women. Traction alopecia is usually seen when there is a constant pull on the hair follicles. This is common in women because they tend to have longer hair and utilize stylistic methods that cause pulls on the hair follicles. Certain styles such as tight ponytails or tight weaves and extensions can cause the hair follicles to thin and eventually fall.
Finally, another common cause of female hair loss is due to medications. Many common medications such as those that treat blood pressure, can cause a certain degree of hair loss. For this reason, if you are suffering from hair loss you should have your physician review all the medications (including vitamins and over the counters) that you take to ensure none of them can be contributing to your hair loss.
In conclusion, female hair loss is a relatively common condition with a complex cause and treatment. Appropriate history and physical can help to narrow down the cause and start treatment. To learn more about female hair loss and treatment you can visit us here.
