Causes of Female Hair Loss
- Androgenetic alopecia - hereditary pattern hair loss with a typical pattern of diffuse hair thinning over the central scalp.
- 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.
- Loose anagen syndrome - a condition that causes hair to shed before its normal growth cycle is completed.
- 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.
- 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.