Hair loss in women can be extremely distressing to experience. Whether it comes on suddenly or happens over a period of time, hair loss affects the way we feel about ourselves and can affect self-esteem.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
There are several different things that can cause hair loss to occur. It can sometimes be hard to pinpoint because oftentimes there is a delay from the actual cause to when hair begins to fall out. Severe stress, whether sudden or chronic can be a big culprit.
As a woman reaches her perimenopausal/menopausal years, hormone imbalances can also contribute to hair loss. in fact, it is the most common cause of hair loss for middle-aged women. Female hormone production begins to decline when women reach their forties and fifties and can not only cause hair to fall out but can also cause changes such as dryness or brittleness which can make it break off. Hair texture can also become finer. The scalp can also become itchy and hair can become much dryer.
Thyroid disease can also cause dramatic hair loss in women. Hair will begin to fall out evenly across the head. Usually, the first thing you might notice is that the part in your hair becomes more noticeable or wider. You might notice more hair on your pillow in the mornings or that your brush contains a lot more hair after brushing.
CLICK HERE to read more about hair loss patterns and causes from the Mayo Clinic.
In our practice, we find that women who are experiencing the most dramatic hair changes are those who are testosterone and estrogen-deficient. For more information on hormone balancing, CLICK HERE.
Other causes of hair loss in women can include:
- Poor diet – eating too many sugars and processed foods
- Sudden stressors such as divorce or a death in the family
- Iron deficiency/anemia
- Low Vitamin B12 levels
- Blood pressure medications
- Auto-immune disorders
- Significant weight loss
- Serious illness
Nutritional Factors
Nutritional deficiencies can also contribute to hair loss in women. There are supplements available that can help restore hair including:
- Iodine – RX Lugol’s Iodine Solution (do not take without a doctor’s supervision because too much iodine can cause side effects)
- Vitamin D 3 – 10,000 IUs per day
- Iron
- Selenium
- Magnesium – 500 mg per day
- B-Complex – B6, Folic Acid, Riboflavin)
- Zinc – 30 mg per day
- Biotin – 5-8 mg per day
Eating healthy and regular exercise not only leads to overall better health, but to hair health as well. It’s important to cut out processed and sugary foods and instead eat more whole foods such as healthy fats, protein, fruits, and vegetables.
Rogaine (Topical Minoxidil) is a product that can be applied directly to the scalp to encourage new hair growth and has been FDA approved for this purpose. This can be purchased at most drug stores and grocery stores.
Renewed Vitality in Dallas Can Help
Our providers at Renewed Vitality are hormone and thyroid experts. The lab work that we do includes testing all of your hormone levels in addition to including a full thyroid panel and vitamin deficiencies that could be causing hair loss in women.
With thyroid deficiency, it will usually take months for the hair to start filling back in. When female hormone deficiencies are corrected, both the skin and the scalp start to become healthier within days to weeks and new hair growth is noticeable within a month!
Free Phone Consultation with our New Patient Coordinator
Renewed Vitality is a place of hope. Our knowledgeable providers are experts in their field and take the time to find the underlying causes of hormonal imbalances and illness. We will work with you using proven, scientific-based technology, in a warm and compassionate environment, to help you restore your health so that you can live a life of vitality and wellness.
Please contact our New Patient Coordinator for your Free Phone Consultation. She can answer any questions or concerns that you may have and give you additional information about our providers, our protocols and fees, what is covered by insurance and what is not, and any other details you may need. She can also get you booked for your first appointments, if you decide we are a good fit for you. There are no obligations to book an appointment.
Please call 214-740-4703 to learn more, or complete the form below, and we will contact you. We would love to hear from you!