What Causes Female Hair Loss?

By far the most common form of hair loss in women is due to hormone changes. It is estimated that around 30% of Caucasian females are affected before menopause. Women rarely lose their hair due to a genetic predisposition; instead it is usually caused by hormonal imbalance and other cyclical shifts such as during/after pregnancy, postmenopausal trauma or birth control side-effects. Other causes include nervous tension, side-effects of certain medications, harsh commercial shampoos, perms, hair color, bleach, blow-drying, and improper combing/brushing.

As women age, their hair tends to thin out, although the results are not as dramatic as they are for many men - think of your grandmother's hair compared to your grandfather's (if he has any). Women's pattern of hair loss is analogous to men's, but has several important differences. The ages we begin having hair loss are the same. A few of both sexes will begin having hair loss very early--in their twenties, but most do not note changes until the mid-thirties to forties. Women's hair loss tends to be an even overall thinning; as opposed to men's hair loss in which the hairline recedes and/or there is balding at the crown of the head. Women tend to lose hair on the crown and at the hairline, which is referred to as female-pattern hair loss.

Other Causes of Female Hair Loss:
Trichotillomania

A known obsessive compulsive disorder which involves the pulling out of one's own hair. This condition is usually seen in pre-teen and teenage girls and is often unconscious to the individual. Trichotillomania can appear as alopecia areata and is in fact, often mis-diagnosed as such.