Potential Internal Causes of Female Pattern Hair Loss
Are you noticing more hair in your brush or on the shower floor? Losing hair can be quite a mentally painful experience for anyone, especially women. Sure, they can choose to get hairline lowering surgery. But do you know what causes it in the first place? It comes within you. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is a common condition affecting millions of women worldwide.
While genetics play a significant role in FPHL, other potential internal causes could contribute to your hair loss. Understanding these underlying factors can help you take proactive steps toward preventing further thinning and regaining healthy locks. So read on as we’re exploring some of the potential internal causes of FPHL and what you can do to address them.
Hormonal Imbalances
As one of the most common internal causes of female pattern hair loss, hormonal imbalances have affected many people worldwide. Hormones play a vital role in regulating various bodily functions, including hair growth and shedding.
When there is an imbalance of hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, or DHT (dihydrotestosterone), it can trigger FPHL. Estrogen promotes healthy hair growth by increasing the length of the anagen phase (the active growing phase) and reducing the telogen phase (the resting phase).
However, as women age and enter menopause, their estrogen levels naturally decline, which can cause thinning and shedding. Regular exercise, stress reduction techniques, and a balanced diet rich in vitamins B6 & C could help reduce the symptoms.
Thyroid Issues
Thyroid issues are a common factor for hair loss in women. The thyroid gland is accountable for producing hormones that regulate the body’s metabolism, and when it doesn’t function properly, it can lead to thinning hair.
Two types of thyroid problems can actually cause female pattern hair loss: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. Hypothyroidism happens when the thyroid gland doesn’t generate enough hormones, while hyperthyroidism happens when hormone overproduction occurs.
Both these conditions affect the normal functioning of the body and have direct impacts on your scalp health. In hypothyroidism, hair becomes brittle and falls out easily; in contrast, with hyperthyroidism, you may experience diffuse or patchy hair loss.
Pregnancy
Indeed, pregnancy is a beautiful time for many women, but it can also be a period of hair loss. A mother who is pregnant undergoes various hormonal changes to support her growing fetus. These hormonal fluctuations can sometimes lead to female pattern hair loss.
The most common type of hair loss during pregnancy is known as telogen effluvium. This condition occurs when large amounts of hair are shed at once due to changes in hormone levels and other factors such as stress. Fortunately, this condition is usually temporary and resolves within a few months after giving birth.
Other Autoimmune Diseases
Apart from hormonal imbalances and thyroid issues, alopecia areata can attack our body causing hair loss. But other autoimmune diseases can also cause the same issue. Autoimmune diseases appear when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, including hair follicles.
One example of an autoimmune disease that can lead …