Why am I losing my hair? Will I ever get it back?

If you’ve ever asked these questions, read on. Whether your hair is slowly thinning or falling out in clumps, hair loss in men and women can be caused by a variety of reasons.

In this article, we will break down the causes of hair loss, opportunities to prevent hair loss (or thinning), and opportunities for regrowth. 

The information below can serve as a guide, but we recommend scheduling an appointment with your doctor to confirm the cause and determine the best treatment and/or tips to stop hair loss and/or regrow it. Early detection is key — especially since each hair grows inside a hair follicle and once a hair follicle is damaged, hair cannot grow from that follicle.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection and spreads via sexual contact with someone who is infected. It can cause a number of symptoms, including sores on the genitals, rashes, joint pain, or fever. If syphilis goes untreated for a long time, hair loss is likely to occur. Syphilis typically causes patches of hair loss on the scalp. Once syphilis is treated, hair growth will typically occur. 

Hormones

Hormone imbalances are another common cause of hair loss in women and men. 

For women, hair loss may be caused by polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), where a hormonal imbalance (a higher level of hormones called androgens) may lead to hair loss. Sometimes, if someone suddenly stops or even changes their birth control pills, this can cause an imbalance of hormones, and may contribute to hair loss. 

Treatment can help with regrowth. Menopause is another common cause of hair loss due to a change in hormone levels. Most women experience hair thinning rather than noticeable bald spots.

When the levels of estrogen and progesterone drop, hair grows more slowly and becomes much thinner. A decrease in these hormones often triggers an increase in androgens, or a group of male hormones. Androgens shrink hair follicles, resulting in hair loss on the head.  

For men, male pattern balding, also called androgenic alopecia, is one of the most common reasons men lose their hair as they get older. Women can experience this, but it is much more common in men. Sex hormones in the body are believed to be the most significant underlying factor behind male pattern hair loss.

Alopecia areata

This condition occurs when the body’s immune system attacks the hair follicles, causing hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, nose, eyelashes, nose or ears. 

Sometimes, the hair will grow back on its own but in some cases, treatment may be necessary to stimulate regrowth. 

Medications

Some medications can cause hair loss. It’s best to consult a doctor if you think you are experiencing this, but do not stop the medication until you speak with them. If a medication is the cause, regrowth usually begins after the medication is adjusted. 

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disease that causes immune system dysfunction and leads to raised plaques with scaling on the skin. Psoriasis can occur on the scalp, leading to hair loss or thinning. The hair tends to regrow after a doctor treats the psoriasis, and the symptoms on the scalp improve.

Scalp infection

In case of a scalp infection (which may be caused by bacterial or fungal infections), the scalp can become inflamed and develop a scaly-like surface. A scalp infection may cause a bald spot or reduce the area of hair growth into only small amounts of hair in the infected area. Once the infection is treated, the hair will regrow.

Thyroid issues

Thyroid problems can be closely connected with hair thinning. In severe cases, just brushing the hair may cause it to come out in large amounts. If a thyroid disorder is causing hair loss, it is important to meet with a doctor to treat the condition, which should stimulate hair growth.

Vitamin deficiency 

If someone is not getting enough biotin, zinc, iron or even protein in their diet, this can lead to hair loss or thinning. It’s best to schedule an appointment with a doctor to conduct or review bloodwork for vitamin deficiencies. If a doctor diagnoses a vitamin deficiency and recommends vitamin supplements to correct the deficiency, hair regrowth should occur. 

Age

Hair follicles stop growing with increasing age, which causes the hair to thin. This can occur at a different age for everyone. Typically, if caused by age, the hair will begin thinning, not falling out.

If caught early, treatment may help, but unfortunately, none of us can prevent aging. 

Genetics

This is the most common cause of hair loss in both men and women. The medical term used to describe this is androgenic alopecia. One can inherit genes that cause the hair follicles to shrink and eventually stop growing hair. This can occur at a different age for everyone. 

The difference between men and women is that men typically start losing around their hairline (receding hairline) or on top of their head, whereas women start to have a widening part or overall thinning.

We can’t help what genes are passed down to us but treatment can stop or slow hair loss and sometimes even stimulate regrowth. Without treatment or if not treated early, hair loss will continue. 

Stress

From life in general, after a divorce, bankruptcy, stress from a job, moving, after the loss of a loved one, stress on your body after a procedure, to financial stress — we all experience it at some point in life. Especially with the stressful life changes that have come with COVID-19, the whole world feels stressed. Unfortunately, hair loss may come along with stress. 

Some people pull on their hair to relieve stress. This can cause hair loss or thinning at a very rapid rate. It’s best to try other strategies to manage stress and avoid pulling on the hair, or the thinning and hair loss will continue. 

Did you know that your doctor can help you manage your stress?

Postpartum

Often, with pregnancy comes the beauty of thicker, fuller hair. However, hair loss or thinning is very common after pregnancy due to hormonal changes after birth. The body typically begins regrowth on its own between six and nine months postpartum.

Hair care, hair treatments, products and hairstyles

Hair color, hair treatments like a perm, the products we use and/or the hairstyles we choose can cause our hair to thin or even fall out. Typically, this starts with only damage to the hair, not thinning. This is why it’s important to pay close attention to catch it before the damage causes thinning or hair loss. Harsh treatments like a perm or bleaching, harsh products or the wrong products, or even tight hairstyles like a tight ponytail, can cause permanent damage.

Cancer treatments

Chemotherapy, or radiation around the head or neck, can cause hair loss within a few weeks of treatment. The hair will begin regrowing on its own, but can take between six and nine months after treatment. There are a few medications that can be used to speed up the process of regrowth.

By now you have a better idea on what could be causing your hair to thin or fall out. Whether it is treatment or a set of tips to stimulate regrowth, your doctor can help. In your virtual appointment, your doctor may recommend running a blood test, reviewing your medical history, assessing your medications and more, to get to the bottom of the issue and determine what kind of treatment is necessary. Schedule your appointment now.