Theradome Banner
Jan 102014

Experts agree that there are numerous factors that can contribute to women’s hair loss. In this article, I will cover the 10 common reasons for female hair loss.

What causes hair loss in women?

Hormonal Imbalance


Androgrens are a common reason for hair loss in both men and women. When this male hormone converts to what is known as DHT (a hair follicle blocker), it starts minimizing the size of hair follicles until it becomes impossible for the follicles to have the normal growth.

Here is a great video clip covering DHT-related hair loss:


Most women experience menopause between the age 45 and 55. When this happens, estrogen levels (female hormone) decrease, which makes hair follicles vulnerable from androgen (male hormone) taking over. When higher levels of androgen persist in the hair follicles, it increases the chance of hair follicle miniaturization and creates fine and thin hair.

Birth Control Pills:

birth control pills hair lossOne of the side effects of taking birth control pills is hair loss in women. According to, the situation can be worse if you have a family history of Androgenic Alopecia (AGA). Hair loss symptoms usually happen a couple of months after starting a birth control regimen.

Hereditary Factors

If you have a family history of female hair loss, you will also have a higher chance of losing hair. According to, 70% of women who have thinning hair, regardless of their ethnicity, is due to a hereditary factor also known as Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) which is one of the common alopecia causes in women.

Emotional and Physical Stress

Stress is one of the most common reasons for Telogen Affluivum, a type of hair loss that happens when hairs in the growth stage enter the resting (Telogen) phase.


Autoimmune Disease

alopecia areata photo image

Alopecia Areata caused by auto-immune disease

Auto-immune diseases are known to cause round-shaped patchy hair loss called Alopecia Areata (AA). This happens when your immune system accidentally attacks your follicle cells instead of protecting them. Other hair loss symptoms caused by auto-immune related problems include Alopecia Universalis and Alopecia Totalis.







Prescribed Drugs



Protein Deficiency


Excessive Hair Styling

hair loss telogen effluviumOver-styling and dramatic hair styles can lead to a hair loss symptom called Tranction alopecia. Execessive hair styles such as braiding, weaving, or tight ponytails purposely pull hair outwards, which is detrimental to your hair follicles. If it the hair style lasts long time, the damage to the hair can become permanent. Over-styling, such as frequent perming or hair coloring, also affects the root of your follicles and causes hair loss.

Extreme Diet


extreme diet hair falling outBut one day, I was brushing my hair and noticed big clumps of hair on my crown area falling out. It freaked me out. There was no dramatic lifestyle change I could recall at the time and I knew that it was the diet that was causing my hair loss. I immediately stopped the diet and started eating healthy again, but I feel like maybe it was too late. The area of my head where clumps fell out never fully recovered 100%.


If you enjoyed this article, get free email updates.

 Share Your Story