Common Causes of Female Hair Loss
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Androgenetic alopecia
- hereditary pattern hair loss with a typical pattern of diffuse hair thinning
over the central scalp.
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Alopecia areata
- a recurrent disease of unknown cause that results in patchy loss of hair from
the scalp and/or eyebrows.
-
Telogen effluvium
- a condition that causes shedding of hair over the entire scalp; it may be
chronic but also may be acute following a stressful event such as high fever,
severe dietary deficiency, and chronic blood loss from heavy menstruation.
-
Hypothyroidism
- thyroid deficiency can be associated with thinning, patchy loss of hair.
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Loose anagen syndrome
- a condition that causes hair to shed before its normal growth cycle is
completed.
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Pregnancy
- hormonal changes and stress of pregnancy may cause temporary hair loss.
-
Traction alopecia
- tight braiding and corn-rowing can, over time, cause permanent damage to hair
and scalp and result in hair loss.
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Chemical processing
- some chemicals used in hair styling can, over time, cause permanent damage to
hair and scalp and result in hair loss.
-
Trichotillomania (compulsive hair plucking)
- a person feels compelled to pluck hair in regular or bizarre patterns,
resulting over time in traction alopecia and permanent hair loss.
