HELP! My Hair is Falling Out: Reasons Behind Hair Loss

Hair is often regarded as a symbol of beauty and vitality, and losing it can be quite distressing.

Hair loss is a common concern with various underlying causes. This article aims to shed light on the intricacies of hair loss, exploring the factors that contribute to this phenomenon.

Before diving into the reasons for hair loss, understanding the natural hair growth cycle is essential. Hair goes through phases of growth, rest, and shedding, and it's normal to lose a certain amount of hair every day. According to the American Academy of Dermatologists, it is considered normal to lose anywhere from 50 to 100 strands of hair per day. Obviously, the longer the hair strands, the more noticeable it will be. That being said, many women go through at least one phase in their life where they’re losing more hair than usual, and I’ll attempt to list the main root causes that could be behind it.

Most Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal fluctuations play a crucial role in female hair loss. For example, you’ve probably heard of postpartum shedding, where many women experience hair shedding after childbirth due to hormonal changes.

Similarly, changes in estrogen and progesterone levels during menopause can contribute to hair loss. If you are not going through any of these life events, is it advisable to get your hormones tested through your healthcare practician.

Nutritional Deficiencies & SIBO

This is also a main factor that can impact hair health. Inadequate nutrition can lead to hair loss, notable with anemia and iron deficiency. Insufficient vitamin D levels may also affect hair growth. Whenever someone has digestive issues, their nutrient absorption if often times affected. This is very common with SIBO.

Stress and Trauma

It is no surprise to anyone that physical or emotional stress can lead to more hair entering the resting phase and increase fall out.

Medical Conditions

There are a few conditions which are known to be linked to hair loss.

First off are Thyroid disorders such as Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism, since imbalances in thyroid hormones can affect hair growth.

There is also an autoimmune disease called Alopecia Areata where the immune system attacks hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is known to cause hormonal imbalances, which we’ve seen earlier can highly impact hair loss. The elevated androgen levels in PCOS affect hair growth and result in hair thinning.

Medical Treatments and Medications

Obviously, everyone knows that chemotherapy causes hair loss but for the sake of keeping this article as inclusive as possible I’ve got to mention it. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss is a common side effect and it is ususally temporary for the duration of treatment.

Some medications can also cause hair loss as a side effect, such as prescriptions for blood pressure and hormonal birth control (again, affecting hormones so no surprise here).

External Factors

Finally there are other (often unconscious) lifestyle factors which are less dramatic but can still lead to abnormal hair loss.

Certain hairstyling habits can impact hair health. For example, regular use of excessive heat through heated styling tools and chemicals treatments can damage hair and causing hair fall. Wearing tight hairstyles (high ponytails for example) can lead to gradual hair loss.

I think it is important to note that spacing out the washing of hair can also make the hair loss seem more important than it is. For example, if you wash and brush your hair twice a week only, it is perfectly normal to get a higher number of hair strands fall out during your shower/brushing process. So don’t panic and keep that in mind!

Female hair loss has various potential causes. Identifying the specific reason for your hair loss is crucial for developing an effective solution. Whether due to hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies, medical conditions, or external factors, understanding the root cause is the first step toward managing hair loss effectively. Most of the time, hair loss is transient and can be resolved by addressing hormonal health and nutrient deficiencies.