What is the Cause of Female Hair Loss?

Men are commonly associated with hair loss, but there are thousands and thousands of women who experience their hair falling out for a variety of reasons. Whilst it may seem like it isn't as common, the truth is that there are a number of different culprits for the cause of female hair loss.

Hair loss can happen to anyone, male or female, at any time and any age. Sometimes it has a root cause, sometimes it's due to an underlying health condition, or sometimes it comes down to psychology and lifestyle.

Use this hub as a guide to the various reasons women lose their hair. However, remember that I am no medical expert so you should also seek advice from your doctor, and make use of a number of wonderful Internet resources out there.

1. Female Pattern Baldness

You've probably heard of male pattern baldness, but did you know that this also affects females? Another name for this condition is 'androgenetic alopecia'. It basically means that the hair will gradually get thinner and thinner as you age. Usually female pattern baldness is less severe than the male equivalent, though it can run in families just like with men.

2. Telogen Effluvium

This is another common cause of female hair loss. It happens when you've been through a period of stress and is fortunately usually temporary. It can also happen after an event in life like childbirth, or simply as a reaction to medication you are taking for another condition.

3. Alopecia Areata

This kind of hair loss is usually patchy rather than general thinning. It happens due to a fault in the immune system, and there are no guarantees for how long hair will take to start growing back. However, it usually happens within months or years.

4. Underlying Health Issues

There could also be underlying health issues that cause hair loss, which is why it's important to seek more information and to talk to your doctor.

5. Trichotillomania

This is a psychological condition that will cause sufferers to pull out their own hair compulsively - not unlike OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Many people can't stop no matter how hard they try, which can result in bald patches anywhere where hair normally grows. There is no cure, but there are a few methods you can try to stop. Generally hair will regrow is pulling is stopped.

6. Diet

If you have a poor diet this could account for your hair loss, and is not uncommon as a cause of female hair loss. Try to make sure you read up on what your hair needs to stay healthy, including vitamins, protein and more.

7. Styling

This type of hair loss, known as traction alopecia, is more common as a cause of female hair loss than male hair loss - it happens if you spend too much time styling your hair. Your hair might fall out because you tie it up too tight, or maybe because you straighten it all the time or have it in corn rows. It should grow back once you stop doing these things.

Now you know what could be the cause of female hair loss you can go some way into finding a treatment. There isn't always a cure, but there are a lot of things you can do to make your hair grow again.

However, the most important thing to remember is that I am not a doctor and you should seek medical advice. But feel free to ask me any questions in the comments.