Hair fall, also called Alopecia, is a common problem that affects people of all ages and gender.
There are numerous reasons why individuals experience hair loss.
It is a common hair problem that many people face.
About 66% of males start experiencing hair loss by age 35, and 50% of females start losing their hair by the time they turn 50.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common hair loss causes.
Hormonal imbalance
Hormones are chemical messengers in your body produced in the Endocrine glands.
They coordinate major functions of your body, including reproduction and metabolism.
A slight change in these hormones can result in hormonal imbalances responsible for significant changes in your body. One such change is hair loss.
Hormonal imbalance can cause hair loss in several ways.
Androgenetic or Androgenic Alopecia
Androgenetic or Androgenic Alopecia (AA) is a type of hair loss.
It occurs due to excess Androgen hormones, such as Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), in the body.
DHT binds with your hair follicles which causes them to shrink.
This leads to thinner, weaker hair more prone to breakage and falling out.
It is a patterned hair loss that affects both males and females.
Male Pattern Hair Loss or Androgenic Alopecia causes hair loss in a well-defined pattern.
However, Female Pattern Hair Loss or Androgenetic Alopecia causes diffuse hair thinning all over the scalp.
AA generally affects males more than females.
Thyroid disorders
Thyroid glands produce hormones that regulate our body’s metabolism, which can significantly affect hair growth.
If your Thyroid becomes overactive or underactive, it interferes with its ability to function correctly.
This causes changes in hormones that thyroid glands produce, leading to hair loss.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Another hormonal disorder, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), can also cause scalp hair loss.
This disorder affects women only.
It is worth noting that PCOS also causes excessive hair growth on the face and body in some women.
Pregnancy and menopause
Everyone is aware of hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy and menopause.
High estrogen (hormone) levels during pregnancy can prolong the growth phase of hair, leading to thicker hair.
However, Estrogen levels drop after childbirth, resulting in excessive hair shedding.
Similarly, during menopause, a decrease in estrogen hormone levels can cause hair to become brittle and thin.
In summary, hormonal changes can affect your hair growth in numerous ways.
Consult your doctor to determine the hair loss causes.
Genetics
Genetics can have a significant impact on the health of your hair.
The most common form of genetic hair loss is Androgenetic Alopecia.
A combination of genetics and hormonal imbalance causes Androgenetic Alopecia.
It is believed that the condition is inherited from either parent and can be triggered by hormonal imbalances in the body.
As mentioned earlier, an excess amount of DHT can cause Androgenetic Alopecia.
DHT is a byproduct of Testosterone that can accumulate in hair follicles.
This can cause hair follicles to shrink, resulting in a reduced hair growth cycle.
Over time, this can lead to hair thinning and then hair loss.
In females, Androgenetic Alopecia causes thinning hair in the crown area of your scalp. Whereas in males, it starts with a receding hairline.
Other genetic disorders that contribute to hair loss are Alopecia Areata and Trichorrhexis Nodosa.
Medication use
In some individuals, medications can cause hair thinning, as opposed to patchy hair loss, as a side effect.
This hair loss type is called drug-induced hair loss or drug-induced Alopecia.
Medications can cause hair loss in several ways.
Most medications, including Antidepressants, Beta-Blockers, birth control pills, etc., affect hair’s resting phase.
Some medicines can disrupt the natural growth cycle of hair, causing it to enter the resting phase prematurely.
Others can affect hair follicles directly or cause hormonal changes in the body, again leading to hair problems.
For example, certain medications during chemotherapy cause hair loss as a side effect.
However, in most cases, as soon as you stop taking the medicines, your hair loss starts to reduce and regain its normal volume in a few months.
Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells and tissues, including hair follicles.
In these cases, hair loss may be diffused and not localized to a specific area of the scalp.
Several autoimmune diseases are the causes of hair fall.
Read on to know more about them.
Lupus
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease.
Around 45% of people with Lupus experience hair loss at some time and to some degree.
This disease causes inflammation in the body’s different parts, which can affect your scalp too.
Inflammation to the scalp can affect hair growth and cause hair thinning over time.
Treatment for these types of hair loss involves medications to suppress the immune system.
Alopecia Areata
Alopecia Areata occurs when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles.
The condition causes hair loss on the scalp and other parts of the body in small patches.
AA is a common condition, affecting over six million people across the USA.
It can also lead to complete baldness if not treated properly or left untreated.
While hair loss can be extreme, it is not scarring. Because hair follicles remain alive, hair can regrow.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disorder that causes scaly patches on the skin, majorly affecting the head.
When the condition affects the scalp, it creates scaly, raised patches called plaques.
These plaques make your scalp itchy. Scratching the scalp or picking at the skin can result in hair damage.
Thus avoid rubbing or scratching the affected skin to prevent hair loss.
However, this hair loss is temporary. Once your Psoriasis is treated, your hair will gain its full volume.
Hashimoto’s and Graves’ disease
Hashimoto and Graves diseases are some of the common causes of hair fall in people with thyroid disorders.
Hashimoto’s disease, also known as Chronic Lymphocytic Thyroiditis, is the leading cause of Hypothyroidism.
Thyroid hormones are underproduced in this condition.
Another condition, Graves’ disease, overproduces this hormone, causing Hyperthyroidism.
These conditions cause hormonal imbalances in your body, and they may lead to hair loss on the head, body, eyebrows, and eyelashes.
The best way to address this hair loss is to consult your doctor for a proper treatment plan.
Aging
With age, most people start to notice hair loss to some degree.
Several factors contribute to causes of hair fall, as we age.
One of the main reasons for hair loss is the miniaturization process.
This occurs when hair follicles shrink over time, resulting in shorter and finer hair, more susceptible to falling out.
The leading cause of miniaturization is hormonal changes that occur with aging.
Specifically, as people age, their levels of Androgens (male hormones) and Estrogen (female hormones) can change, leading to an imbalance that can cause hair loss.
In males, this is known as Male Pattern Baldness, which typically results in a receding hairline and bald patches on the crown of the head.
Whereas in women, the pattern of hair loss is usually more diffuse and less predictable.
Other factors that may contribute to hair loss in aging individuals include:
- Stress
- Medications
- Underlying medical conditions
While hair loss is a common part of the aging process, many other factors contribute.
By identifying the underlying causes of hair loss, you can work with your dermatologist to develop the right treatment plans.
Takeaway
In summary, hormonal imbalance is the most common cause of hair loss, with a number of underlying causes.
While genetics play a role in hair loss, it is essential to note that the following environmental factors can also impact your hair health,
- Stress
- Diet
- Lifestyle habits
Certain medications can also contribute to or exacerbate your hair problems.
Other common hair loss causes are aging and autoimmune diseases.
There are several treatment options available for hair loss. Consult your doctor to determine the causes of hair fall and work out a treatment plan.