Skip to main content

Three Common Causes of Hair Loss in Women

By March 24, 2021May 2nd, 2023Hair Loss

Although many people associate hair loss with men, it is estimated that over half of women will also experience hair loss. Unlike balding in men, women suffering from hair loss usually experience hair thinning or stunted growth. It’s natural for women to shed some hair during normal activities like showering or hair brushing, but more serious cases of female hair loss can result from several underlying causes.

Tight Hairstyles

Wearing tight hairstyles like ponytails and braids for a prolonged period of time can pull on your hair causing strands to break or fall out. The constant pulling from these hairstyles places extra tension on a woman’s hairline and roots. Referred to as traction alopecia, this type of hair loss results from prolonged tension on hair strands. Traction alopecia can also develop from the use of chemicals or heat treatments for hair.

Genetics

Although people are most familiar with male pattern baldness when it comes to hereditary hair loss, almost 40% of women will show signs of female pattern hair loss (FPHL) by the age of 50. Aside from a genetic disposition, FPHL can be caused by hormonal factors such as menopause and usually results in overall thinning of the hair while maintaining a normal hairline.

Extreme Physical or Emotional Stress

Telogen effluvium is a common cause of temporary hair loss due to extreme physical or emotional stress on the body. Pregnancy and childbirth, extreme weight loss, and surgery are all examples of stressful events that can lead to telogen effluvium in women. Under severe levels of shock or stress, the body will push more hairs into the telogen (resting) phase of growth. This phase can cause an excessive amount of shedding that leads to hair loss in women.

Hair loss can be a devastating condition for anyone, but it can be treated with the help of a qualified professional. At The Dermatology Clinic in Baton Rouge, we treat hair loss in patients by using Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy to help restore a full head of hair and stimulate new hair growth. Contact us at (225) 769-7546 to schedule your appointment today.