WHEN DOES FEMALE HAIR LOSS OCCUR?

When people hear the word hair loss (the technical term is alopecia), most likely picture a middle-aged man with a shiny bald ring on his crown. While it’s true that hair loss affects men more frequently, women are by no means immune—approximately 25 to 40 percent of women, mostly older, suffer from it.

So when and why does hair loss occur in women? There are quite a few causes, and they can arise at any stage of life. These factors may cause localized or widespread hair loss, depending on the individual and gender. Male and female hair loss are not the same, even though they may share similar or even identical origins. However, male sex hormones, or androgens, are often the primary cause of hair reduction in both genders.

Androgens, despite their name, are present in the bodies of both genders. The most well-known androgen is testosterone.

In males, androgens are responsible for the development of secondary sexual characteristics, while in females, they initiate puberty. Moreover, they play numerous roles in women—the most important being their conversion into estrogen. Additionally, they help regulate many internal organs.

Men have fewer androgens than women, yet even slight imbalances can lead to significant issues. Low levels may cause fatigue, low self-esteem, low libido, or greater susceptibility to bone diseases, while high levels may cause acne, hirsutism (excessive body hair growth), PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), and hair loss. Hair thinning usually begins in the late teenage years, though it might not be noticeable initially. Unlike men, women’s hair thins rather than falls out. This process typically continues until menopause, at which point hair loss may become more pronounced.

However, increased androgen levels are not the only cause of hair loss; sensitivity to these hormones by certain receptors can also lead to similar outcomes.

Though androgen function is the most common cause of hair loss in women, it is not the only one. Numerous additional factors exist, divided into environmental and internal causes. Environmental factors are those we can influence to some degree, such as stress, sudden weight loss, medication, smoking, and excessive hair care practices, while internal causes include thyroid problems, pregnancy, iron deficiency, diseases, aging, and genetics. Internal factors are beyond our control.

Most external factors, such as stress or smoking, might not seem overly concerning but have many negative effects on the body, including excessive hair loss. This may occur several weeks after exposure to stress, with hair possibly shedding within two months, though it generally regrows over time. Hair loss due to external factors is typically temporary, and hair often fully or partially returns once harmful influences cease. This also applies to damage from aggressive shampoos, excessive heat during drying, or highly synthetic hair dyes.

Unlike external factors, internal causes can lead to permanent hair damage, or hair may grow back more slowly, typically affecting women in middle or older age. Examples include pregnancy, where hair loss usually occurs after childbirth and continues until hormonal balance is restored, and aging. Diseases can cause hair loss in women of any age, from young girls to mothers and grandmothers, including conditions such as psoriasis or lupus. The most severe condition is alopecia universalis, where the patient loses all body hair, and milder forms like alopecia areata and alopecia totalis, where hair is lost on small areas or the entire head. Alopecia is partially treatable and affects men, women, and children. Genetics also plays a role. Does your mother have thin or sparse hair? Does your grandmother have bald spots? If so, you may have a genetic predisposition for hair loss, where preventive measures may have limited effectiveness.

There are many other reasons for hair loss, some explained, others not, with varying levels of influence. Certainly, stress and other external factors damage hair, thinning and weakening it, potentially leading to temporary or permanent hair loss. It’s best to avoid these factors entirely. There are also many quality products on the market that nourish hair without damaging it, restoring volume and shine to already thin and sparse hair.