Causes of hair loss in women

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a condition affecting women whereby harmless follicles develop on the ovaries, disrupting normal ovulation and causing irregular periods, fertility issues, excess hair growth on the face and body, weight gain, acne and hair loss on the head. It is thought that the hair loss caused by PCOS is related to higher levels of male hormones within the body.

Autoimmune conditions

The relationship between hair loss and the immune system is complex. One type of hair loss, alopecia areata (which causes patchy hair loss) is thought to be caused by the immune system attacking the hair follicles. It tends to be associated with autoimmune disorders such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, which is why you will often find hair loss listed as a symptom of these kinds of conditions.

However, alopecia areata is not always associated with another underlying condition. It’s also believed to be related to genetics as one in five people who have alopecia areata have a family history of the condition.

Stress

Very intense emotional and/or physical stress can cause a type of hair loss known as telogen effluvium. This is characterised by widespread thinning of the hair on the head, in a similar manner to female-pattern baldness. Unlike female-pattern baldness this hair loss tends to be temporary. Some women will experience this kind of hair loss after a particularly painful or stressful childbirth experience.

Illness

Different types of acute or prolonged illnesses can lead to hair loss in women, which is usually temporary. Cancer and liver disease can cause hair loss, as can having an operation or a severe infection.

Medical treatments and medications

It’s well known that the cancer treatment chemotherapy often causes widespread hair loss. Other treatments than can cause hair loss include radiation and immunotherapy. Typically this type of hair loss (known as anagen effluvium) is temporary; after you have stopped having the treatment your hair should begin to grow back.

Certain medications can also cause hair loss in women. Anti-coagulants and beta blockers are two medications that can lead to telogen effluvium (widespread thinning on the head).

Skin conditions

If you have a condition that affects the skin such as scleroderma, lichen planus, or discoid lupus you may be vulnerable to scarring alopecia. This is where the hair follicles are destroyed underneath the skin, causing permanent hair loss. Receiving effective treatment for your skin condition may help you avoid hair loss.

Lifestyle factors

While dyeing your hair and using hairdryers and straighteners can cause damage to the hair, these habits will not cause permanent hair loss. Two lifestyle factors that are associated with hair loss in women, however, are unhealthy eating habits and wearing certain kinds of tight hairstyles that put strain on the follicles.

If you practise “crash diets” you might experience some hair loss. You may also experience a kind of hair loss known as traction alopecia if you wear your hair in a weave, tight braids or extensions. In both cases, the hair loss will normally be temporary; eating a healthy diet and giving your hair a break from being pulled too tight should reverse the problem.