Why womens hair thins

You might experience this if you inherit certain genes from one or both parents. Hormonal shifts that occur during menopause may also spur it. Another trigger for hair loss in women is an inflammatory condition affecting the scalp. That might be eczema, psoriasis, or a condition called frontal fibrosing alopecia, which typically causes scarring and hair loss — sometimes permanent — at the front of the scalp above the forehead. Other common causes of hair loss include overuse of damaging hair products, or tools such as dryers and other devices that heat the hair.

Underlying illness, autoimmune conditions such as lupus, nutritional deficiencies, or hormonal imbalances may also cause hair to shed. Treatment depends on the underlying cause, says Dr. Sometimes simply addressing a medical condition prompting hair loss will be enough for the hair to regrow.

In other instances, a woman might consider a medication like minoxidil Rogaine , which helps with certain types of hair loss, or another treatment to replace or regrow lost hair. A newer option being used to treat hair loss is platelet-rich plasma PRP injections. For this treatment, the doctor draws your blood, divides it into its separate components, recombines the blood fluid plasma with a high concentration of platelets structures in the blood that help with clotting, among other functions , and introduces the resulting preparation back into the scalp.

In addition, low-level LED laser lights have been found to be helpful in regrowing hair in some cases. When medical treatments fall short, women can also consider cosmetic options to make up for lost hair, such as wearing a wig. At the other end of the spectrum is hair transplantation, a surgical procedure that moves active follicles from the back of the scalp to areas where the hair is thinning. Once transplanted, the hair grows normally. Hair transplantation is typically performed as an outpatient surgical procedure.

One drawback is the expense: it can cost thousands of dollars and is not covered by insurance. The procedure also requires recovery time. And it may not be appropriate for women who have diffuse thinning across the whole scalp. As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content.

Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. How about PCOS and hair loss. I was 11 years old when it started. I am a senior now. My hair is quite diffusely thin. I think you never get rid of PCOS. Any recommendations? Take note of the hair loss and any other symptoms and ask your doctor or dermatologist for a comprehensive blood test — do not be afraid to advocate for yourself.

Though its use as a hair- and nail-growth supplement is prevalent, research demonstrating the efficacy of biotin is limited and most has focused on nails.

Further, high doses of biotin can interfere with some blood tests, especially in older patients and patients with a history of heart disease.

Many women may have had these supplements recommended to them at some point, but unless there is a severe natural deficiency which is very rare , it's typically preferable to incorporate proven lifestyle changes, like a nutrient-filled diet and decreased stress. There are a few treatments, like platelet-rich plasma PRP injections , that do work. If you are looking to improve the overall quality of your hair and get some thickness back, there are also botanical-based treatments like Nutrafol, which are supplements that contain curcumin, turmeric, ashwagandha a stress adaptogen , and saw palmetto, a DHT rebalancer.

Natural ingredients , such as vitamin B5 and rosemary oil, have also been proven to help thinning hair. With cases that are stress-related or due to overprocessing treatments like bleaching, your hair will come back — the best thing you can do is be patient and maybe buy some flyaway-controlling products to keep stragglers in check.

In the case of hormone-related hair loss, go to a doctor and ask for blood work to get a full picture of what might be causing it. You may feel like you're overreacting, but there's no harm in getting reassurance that all of your important internal systems are healthy and functioning properly. Too often, the reason women do not seek treatment is that they are not taken seriously or do not want to burden providers with their concerns.

For the record: Your concerns are valid, and hair loss is connected to so many hormonal and autoimmune conditions that it's worth the checkup. Hair loss is incredibly common, and women should not have to suffer in silence or try to hide their hair loss for fear of being seen as unattractive or old. Aging is a natural and beautiful process, and whether it's going gray or thinning out, it is time we normalize beauty at every age.

You can follow Allure on Instagram and Twitter , or subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all things beauty. Celebrity Fashion Video. Read More. What are the most common types of hair loss? What's the difference between a receding hairline and thinning hair?

What about breakage near the scalp? What could be causing bald patches or full-scalp baldness, including the loss of eyelashes and eyebrows?

You can look into disguising and covering up your hair loss with things like wigs, hair extensions, scarves and make-up. Persevere until you find a product and style that suits you.

Equally, you may prefer not to cover up at all. Find out about NHS wigs. Hair loss in women is often temporary. That said, regrowth is unpredictable and can take years.

Remember that your new hair can be any texture and colour. Page last reviewed: 04 February Next review due: 04 February Women and hair loss: coping tips. Different types of hair loss There are lots of different types of hair loss. Hair loss can be genetic, or as a result of extreme stress, a medical condition or treatment. Hair loss treatments It can help to address the physical aspects of hair loss. Find out about hair loss treatments that work. Ways to cope with hair loss It's also important to address the psychological impact of hair loss.

Here are some useful self-help tips.