What Causes Sudden Hair Loss in Females

• 19 June 2024
• Dr Malay Mehta

Sudden hair loss in females, medically known as acute telogen effluvium can be alarming and distressing. This condition results in noticeable thinning of hair and can be caused by various factors ranging from nutritional deficiencies to hormonal imbalances.

When you notice hair loss, it’s important to understand the underlying causes to find the most effective hair loss treatment.

Sudden Hair Loss Reasons

Hormonal Changes

Hormonal changes can have a profound effect on the health of hair follicles. During pregnancy, childbirth and menopause, women may notice hair loss or significant changes in hair density and thickness due to hormonal fluctuations.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is another hormonal condition where the excess production of male hormones leads to androgenetic alopecia in women, causing further female hair loss over time.

Medical Conditions

Underlying medical conditions such as thyroid disease and autoimmune disorders can interfere with the normal functioning of hair follicles, causing you to lose hair. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can also result in hair thinning.

Autoimmune diseases such as alopecia areata result in the body’s immune system mistakenly attacking hair follicles, resulting in patchy hair loss. Managing these medical conditions effectively can help prevent and reduce further hair loss.

Medications and Treatments

Birth control pills containing hormones can cause thinning hair in some women due to hormone imbalances.

Treatments like chemotherapy or radiation treatment, often used in cancer treatment, may lead to rapid and noticeable hair loss due to their effects on rapidly dividing cells, including hair follicles.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies impact hair health directly as hair follicles require a variety of vitamins and minerals to maintain hair growth.

A deficiency in iron, for example, is linked to thinning hair and hair loss, while a lack of protein can weaken hair strands. Ensuring an adequate intake of nutrients like zinc, vitamin D and B vitamins is essential to treat hair loss and promote healthy hair growth.

Stress and Trauma

Physical or emotional stress can disrupt the normal cycle of hair growth, pushing hair follicles into the resting phase prematurely. This condition, known as telogen effluvium, leads to sudden and noticeable hair loss.

Understanding Hair Growth Cycles

Hair growth involves a dynamic and cyclical process that includes three distinct phases: anagen, catagen and telogen. Understanding these cycles can help you better comprehend why you notice hair loss and when to seek hair loss treatment.

• Anagen (Growth Phase)
  This is the active phase of hair growth during which hair follicles push out hair that continues to grow until it reaches its maximum length.
• Catagen (Transition Phase)
  This short phase lasts about two to three weeks and signals the end of the active growth of a hair. During this phase, the hair follicle shrinks and detaches from the dermal papilla.
• Telogen (Resting Phase)
  Lasting around three months, this phase involves the resting or shedding of hair. After this phase, the hair follicle reenters the anagen phase and new hair begins to grow.

Disruptions in these cycles, particularly the premature shifting of hair from the anagen to the telogen phase can result in conditions like androgenetic alopecia and telogen effluvium, both of which are characterised by thinning and increased hair shedding.

One of the types of hair loss in women is female pattern hair loss.

Types of Hair Loss in Women

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Also known as androgenetic alopecia, female pattern baldness is the most common type of hair loss in women and typically manifests as gradual thinning of the hair. This condition is primarily driven by genetics, hormonal changes and the ageing process.

Traction Alopecia

This type of hair loss is mechanical and results from constant pulling on the hair shafts due to tight hairstyles. The continuous tension causes stress on the hair follicles, leading to hair loss.

Alopecia Areata

This is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, causing hair to fall out in small, round patches that can become quite noticeable.

This condition can progress to total scalp hair loss (alopecia totalis) or even complete hair loss (alopecia universalis).

Solutions to Managing Sudden Hair Loss

At Dr Malay Mehta’s clinic, we offer various treatments to aid with managing sudden hair loss.

Mesotherapy

This treatment involves injections that deliver nourishing substances directly into the scalp to enhance hair follicle health and support hair growth.

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)

This non-invasive therapy uses light wavelengths to stimulate hair follicles, improving circulation and hair density. LLLT can help reverse the process where hair follicles shrink, encouraging them to return to a healthier and more active growth phase.

Hair Transplant

In certain cases, treatment options such as Follicular Unit Extraction (FUE) offer a more permanent solution to hair loss.

Addressing underlying health issues, ensuring a balanced diet and consultations with healthcare providers can also help with managing hair loss.

How to contact us

Phone: +91 7045291747
Email Us: drmalaymehta@gmail.com

6th Floor, Cosmos Court,
Vile Parle West Mumbai – 400056
Maharashtra, India

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FAQs

Below, you can find more FAQs about what causes sudden hair loss in females; however, if you need any more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Is sudden hair loss reversible?

Yes, sudden hair loss can often be reversed especially when it results from temporary factors such as stress or nutrient deficiency. Efficient treatment and addressing the underlying causes typically restore hair growth.

What are common signs that I might start losing hair?

Common signs of impending hair loss include noticing more hair on your pillow when you wake up, increased hair in your shower drain and more hair than usual left in your brush. Thinning hair along the hairline or diffuse hair thinning across the scalp can also be early indicators.

Can changing my diet help prevent hair loss?

Yes, diet plays a crucial role when it comes to hair health. Lack of nutrients like iron, protein and vitamins B and D can lead to hair loss. Incorporating a balanced diet rich in these nutrients can help strengthen hair follicles and potentially prevent further hair loss.

How can I tell if my hair loss is due to genetics or something else?

Genetic hair loss such as female and male pattern baldness typically presents as a predictable pattern of thinning such as a receding hairline or thinning at the crown of the head and often runs in families. If your hair loss deviates from these patterns or if you suddenly start losing hair in patches.