How Hormonal Imbalance Can Cause Hair Loss In Women

Female pattern baldness is an issue that may not only affect your self-esteem but could be indicative of a larger medical problem. That is why it is important to identify the cause of your hair loss and work with a doctor to find the right treatment plan that will help you feel better and look your best. For many women, a hormonal imbalance is the source of the problem, although there are other common causes that may be at work. Learn more about hair loss in women, how hormones affect your hair follicles and potential treatment options.

Types of Hair Loss in Women

Thyroid Problems

Your thyroid plays an important role in supporting the growth of new hair. Instances of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid) and hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) can prevent you from replenishing the hairs that you lose on a daily basis. Thyroid related hair loss can also make your hair weak and is characterized by more patchy hair loss all over your scalp. This pattern of hair loss is common in women while men tend to lose hair along hairline and on the crown. The good news is that this type of hair loss in women can be temporary and easily treated by addressing the underlying thyroid issues.

Excessive Stress

If you have ever experienced stressful life events, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that stress can also cause hair loss. This type of loss is known as telogen effluvium because it sends your hair into the telogen or final phase of hair growth. You will probably notice that more hairs are coming out in your brush and in the shower. Fortunately, stress-related hair loss is also temporary and your hair growth cycle should return to normal within two to three months after your stress levels fall to more normal levels.

Weight Fluctuations

Whether you are purposely losing weight or other health events have led to a sudden weight loss or weight gain, severe weight fluctuations can also send your hair follicles into the telogen phase. Any sudden change in your diet or weight can cause stress on the body and lead to hair loss. If you are dieting and noticing thinning hair, you should re-examine your approach and make sure that you aren’t being restrictive to the point that your body is experiencing detrimental levels of stress. Making some adjustments to ensure you are getting the necessary vitamins and macronutrients will help restore normal hair growth.

Anemia  

Anemia, or iron deficiency, is another common cause of telogen effluvium hair loss that can look and act a lot like other causes, which makes it especially important to get an exact diagnosis from your doctor. Often times, anemia can be treated through dietary changes and supplements, although it may also be linked to some intestinal diseases. A simple ferritin blood test can determine your iron levels and help your doctor make the best recommendations for your health. 

Chemotherapy

Unfortunately, the powerful drugs that are used to aggressively attack cancer cells can also kill healthy cells that usually reproduce fairly quickly. Chemotherapy patients typically start losing hair just a few weeks after their first treatment and hair loss will occur all over the body. While there is no available medical intervention to help prevent this, your hair will grow back once treatments are discontinued.

Hormonal Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Up until recently, medical professionals agreed that female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia, was tied to testosterone levels, but they were exactly sure how this relationship worked. Many assumed that elevated levels of testosterone were the cause of hair loss in women. We now know that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is actually the hormone that attacks the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss.

Even if you have higher levels of testosterone, this isn’t enough to cause problems. DHT is a derivative of testosterone and acts as a binding agent and if the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase goes to work converting testosterone to DHT, then your hair follicles will begin to die off. This process tends to happen more often in men because they have naturally higher levels of testosterone, which makes them more susceptible to the overproduction of DHT and its effects. 

In women, lower levels of the female hormone androgen can allow DHT to flourish and take over. Menopause is a common trigger for hormonal imbalances that may lead to a receding hairline, loss of hair thickness and hair loss. 

Treating Hormonal Hair Loss in Women

If your doctor has confirmed that your hair loss is due to a hormonal imbalance, there are some treatments available.

Saw Palmetto is a palm that is native to the Southeastern United States and provides a natural way to treat hair loss. It is often the main ingredient in hair loss shampoos and can be applied as a topical ointment or taken as a supplement. While scientists are still studying the effectiveness of this treatment, there are some positive indications that it helps to prevent testosterone from converting into DHT and support healthy hair growth.

Spironolactone is a prescription drug that reduces testosterone levels, thus preventing the production of DHT. Because it is a more powerful antiandrogen drug, it can produce additional side effects and may not be the best option for every patient.

Minoxidil is applied directly to the scalp and works by increasing blood flow to the hair. Unlike other treatment options, it doesn’t address the hormonal causes of hair loss and simply encourages new hairs to grow faster and replace those that have fallen out.

Treating Other Causes of Hair Loss

If your hair loss is due to other factors, such as stress or rapid weight loss, making some different lifestyle choices can help you lead a more balanced life that supports your health. It may be worth finding a new job or being more conscious about your diet if it means being happier and healthier. Also, talk to your doctor about supplements help improve your hair health as you make other changes.  

Solutions for Temporary Hair Loss

Whether you have experienced temporary hair loss due to a hormonal imbalance, thyroid issues, stress or chemotherapy treatments, it can be difficult to deal with a change in your looks. In most cases, your hair will grow back with the right treatment, however, dealing with your hair loss in the meantime can be difficult. That is why companies, like Artemis Hair Studios, have created high-quality wigs and hairstyling services that directly address the needs of women suffering from hair loss.  

Instead of hiding away while you wait for your hair loss to subside and new hair to grow, you can enhance your existing hair with the finest products for a natural look. Artemis Hair Studio wigs have been helping women deal with the sensitive issue of hair loss and get the support they need during difficult times. The company’s efforts have helped more women feel beautiful, confident and more capable of dealing with hair loss and its underlying causes.

Experiencing female pattern baldness can be a difficult challenge that comes with both medical and emotional components. The key is to recognize that your hair loss could be a sign of other health issues and work with a professional to better understand the cause of your hair loss and work towards finding a solution. In the meantime, a beautiful customized wig can help you stay feeling good as you restore your hair health and start regrowing your own hair.