#hairloss - why is my hair falling out?!

 

It's true that men are more likely to lose their hair than women, mostly due to male pattern baldness (more on that later). But thinning hair and hair loss are also common in women! Reasons can range from the simple and temporary—a vitamin deficiency—to the more complex, like an underlying health condition.

Male pattern baldness: about two out of three men experience hair loss by age 60, and most of the time it's due to male pattern baldness. This type of hair loss, caused by a combo of genes and male sex hormones, usually follows a classic pattern in which the hair recedes at the temples, leaving an M-shaped hairline. What to do: there are topical creams like minoxidil (Rogaine) and oral medications such as finasteride (Propecia) that can halt hair loss or even cause some to grow; surgery to transplant or graft hair is also an option.

Physical stress: Any kind of physical trauma—surgery, a car accident, or a severe illness can cause temporary hair loss. This can trigger a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. Hair loss often becomes noticeable three-to-six months after the trauma. What to do: hair will start growing back as your body recovers.

Pregnancy: Hormone-related hair loss is seen more commonly after delivery than actually during pregnancy. What to do: rest assured that your hair will grow back in a couple of months. 

Lack of protein: if you don't get enough protein in your diet, your body may ration protein by shutting down hair growth. What to do: find sources of protein, including fish, meat, and eggs.

Female hormones: birth-control pills can also cause telogen effluvium, and it may be more likely if you have a family history of hair loss. The change in the hormonal balance that occurs at menopause may also have the same result. What to do: talk to your doctor about other birth control types. 

Emotional stress: it can happen, for instance, in the case of divorce or after the death of a loved one. More often, emotional stress won't actually precipitate the hair loss. It will exacerbate a problem that's already there.What to do: take steps to combat stress and anxiety, like getting more exercise and psychotherapy.

Anemia: almost one in 10 women aged 20 through 49 suffers from anemia due to an iron deficiency, which is an easily fixable cause of hair loss. You doctor will have to do a blood test to determine for sure if you have this type of anemia. What to do: a simple iron supplement should correct the problem. In addition to hair loss, other symptoms of anemia include fatigue, headache, dizziness, pale skin, and cold hands and feet.

Hypothyroidism: hypothyroidism is the medical term for having an underactive thyroid gland, which is diagnosed by blood tests.What to do: synthetic thyroid medication will take care of the problem. 

Vitamin B deficiency: another correctible cause of hair loss. What to do: like anemia, simple supplementation should help the problem. Find natural vitamin B in fish, meat, starchy vegetables, and non-citrus fruits. 

Autoimmune-related hair loss: also called alopecia areata, it is basically a result of an overactive immune system. What to do: steroid topical injections in the bald patches. The course of the condition is unpredictable.

Dramatic weight loss: weight loss itself can stressing your body or not eating right can result in vitamin or mineral deficiencies. Loss of hair along with noticeable weight loss may also be a sign of an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. What to do: after a six-month period of hair loss, it corrects itself.

Chemotherapy: some of the drugs used to beat back cancer unfortunately can also cause your hair to fall out. What to do: once chemotherapy is stopped, your hair will grow back although often it will come back with a different texture (perhaps curly when before it was straight) or a different color. 

Polycystic ovary syndrome: an excess of androgens can lead to ovarian cysts, weight gain, a higher risk of diabetes, changes in your menstrual period, infertility, hair thinning and more hair on the face and body. What to do: gynecologist can treat well the hormone imbalance.

Overstyling: vigorous styling and hair treatments over the years can cause your hair to fall out. Examples of extreme styling include tight braids, hair weaves or corn rows as well as chemical relaxers to straighten your hair, hot-oil treatments or any kind of harsh chemical or high heat. Because these practices can actually affect the hair root, your hair might not grow back. What to do: In addition to avoiding these styles and treatments, the American Academy of Dermatology recommends using conditioner after every shampoo, letting your hair air dry, limiting the amount of time the curling iron comes in contact with your hair and using heat-driven products no more than once a week.

Trichotillomania: this disorder causes people to compulsively pull their hair out. It often begins before the age of 17 and is four times as common in women as in men. What to do: some antidepressants may be effective, but behavioral modification therapy is another option.

Aging: in women in their 50s and 60s. Experts aren’t sure why this happens. 

Anabolic steroids: these hormones have the same impact on the body as polycystic ovary disease (PCOS), as the mechanism is the same.What to do: go off the drug.