It can be scary when you start to notice your hair falling out. And no, we’re not talking about a few extra pieces that you might find lying around your house, but the clumps that fall out in the shower or when you brush through your hair. Hair loss can happen for a number of reasons. I can be completely normal after something like childbirth, or it can signify that something deeper is going on. Getting to the root cause of why it’s happening is crucial in treating it.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the most common causes of female hair loss:
Iron Deficiency – this is the most prevalent nutrient deficiency worldwide, and is common in menstruating women. Iron makes up the hemoglobin in our red blood cells that help to carry oxygen throughout our body. This is needed for the growth and repair of all cells, including the hair follicle. When they do not get the nutrients they need, they cannot flourish.
Inflammation – inflammation causes damage to the hair follicle, that can lead to hair thinning and loss. This inflammation can be occurring all over your body, or even just at the level of the follicle. This can be due to scalp microbiome changes, or local skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Androgens – our hair follicles have receptors for androgens. When our androgen levels are high , specifically, DHT, which comes from testosterone, this changes the size of the hair follicle, making it smaller and resulting in thinning hair. This tends to occur at the crown of the head as this is where women’s hair follicles are most sensitive to the effects of androgens. This is a common reason why women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) experience hair thinning.
Insulin Resistance – high levels of insulin in the body will begin to affect the hair follicle. Insulin can affect local androgens near the follicle leading to hair thinning like seen in PCOS. As insulin continues to increase, so will blood sugar. This high sugar in the blood causes damage to vessels which supply nutrients to the hair follicle, and can damage the follicle itself.
Thyroid Function – when our thyroid over or under functions, we often see changes in our hair. It can become more dry or brittle, and become thin and start to fall out. Having a thyroid condition often results in general thinning of hair all over the scalp, and changes to the characteristics of your hair.
Autoimmune Disease – autoimmune conditions can also cause changes in your hair. This can range from a diffuse thinning like with a thyroid condition to large patches that begin bald like in alopecia areata.
If you are noticing changes in your hair or finding yourself grieving over what your ponytail used to feel like, it’s time to start investigating!
Resources:
PMID: 32832434
PMID: 30547302
PMID: 28925637
PMID: 27921251
PMID: 33204138
