The Causes of Female Hair Loss

1.) Childbirth:  Many women lose their hair after pregnancy.  This occurs because during pregnancy, estrogen levels drop and progesterone levels rise.  This puts hair in its resting stage.  After childbirth, new hair begins to grow, causing hair that’s in the resting phase to shed.  Typically, this occurs three to six months post-pregnancy, and hair will return to its normal growth/loss cycle promptly.  To avoid hair loss after pregnancy, avoid pigtails, braids, and tight rollers, and increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and supplements containing flavonoids, zinc, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, and biotin supplements. 

2.) Stress:  Stress can be a high cause for hair loss in women.  When we are in stressful situations, physically ill, or emotionally disturbed, our hair is unhealthy and our scalps are dry.  This can lead to hair loss.  Our hair is one of the first parts of our bodies that demonstrate stress.  In other words, it is sensitive to stressful situations.  Once stress levels are under control, hair should return to its normal growth and loss cycle. 

3.) Illnesses:  There are several illnesses that can cause hair loss in women.  They include anorexia, bulimia, hypothydroidism, anemia, hepatic or renal failure, and viral, fungal, or protozoan infections.  Extremely high fevers can also cause hair loss.  Once these illnesses are under control, normal hair growth should return.

4.) Diet:  What we eat and what we don’t eat also has bearing on how healthy or unhealthy our hair is.  Protein, essential fatty acids, and zinc are all integral elements in the promotion and maintenance of healthy hair.  Therefore a lack of these elements can cause hair loss in women.  Excess amounts of vitamin A, any amphetamines, antimitotics, anticholesterol medicine, and anesthesia  can all cause hair loss on a temporary basis. 

5.) Hormonal Changes:  Discontinuing birth control pills, having an abortion or a miscarriage, and stopping or starting hormone replacement therapy can all cause hair loss in women.  Because all of these things cause changes in hormone levels, they can all be direct causes of hair loss.