Causes of Hair Loss in Women

There are more causes for hair loss in women than men, because female hair follicles are more sensitive to stress.  Female hair loss is not usually caused by disease, but is related to aging, genetics and testosterone.  Hair loss may be due to a combination of all these factors.  

Possible causes of hair loss and unusual hair loss patterns :

    

Hormonal changes

Thyroid disease, menopause, pregnancy, endocrine disorders

        

Serious illness    

Tumours of the ovary/adrenal glands, anaemia, adrenal or pituitary disease, connective tissue diseases like lupus or Dermatomyositis

        

Medication/drugs

(Hair loss does not always occur with these medications)    Cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, birth control pills, blood thinning pills, thyroid hormones, blood pressure medicines, corticosteroids, high-dosage vitamin A, amphetamines, cocaine narcotics

        

Traction alopecia or hair pulling

Scalp rubbing, pulling, tugging, or mechanical stress on the hair in hairstyles like hair weaving, pigtails, and cornrows.

        

Trichotillomania or nervous habits

Obsessive-compulsive disorder in which hair loss is the result of constant hair twirling, tugging, and actual pulling out of the hair

        

Alopecia areata

Sudden hair loss in patches, causing bald patches on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes

        

Improper hair care

Excessive shampooing and drying

        

Emotional/mental stress

Hair loss usually only occurs in very extreme cases over an extended period

        

Tinea capitis

Ringworm of the scalp

        

Physical traumas/scarring

Surgery, general anaesthesia, childbirth, burns, accidents

        

Diet

Extreme diets, eating disorders, malnourishment or lack of essential vitamins & nutrients

Hair loss is not caused by:  

Bad Circulation

Hair loss is not caused by a lack of circulation or nutrients to the hair follicle.

    

Dirt/sweat

Hair not being washed regularly does not cause hair loss.