Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss can be a symptom of nutritional deficiencies or underlying illness in both men and women. Often hair growth returns when the nutritional deficiencies or diseases are addressed.
Some triggers of hair loss in women are:
- Hormone imbalances caused by pregnancy and menopause
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Thyroid issues
- Genetics
- Stress
- Side effects of medication
If hair loss is a concern, one of the first diagnostic steps is to test for thyroid deficiency and hormone imbalances. Because hair loss can come from a combination of issues, successful treatment begins with consulting a hair loss specialist. Toronto head and neck surgeon, Dr. Jamil Asaria, has helped scores of women suffering from the stress caused by unrelenting thinning hair. He works closely with other medical specialties as necessary to ensure the cause is treated, thus boosting the effectiveness of hair restoration treatment.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
This condition causes hormonal imbalances, which cause thinning hair but may also cause acne and weight gain. Women with PCOS often have hair growth occurring on the face and body due to the overproduction of androgens – hormones most commonly associated with males.
Pregnancy and Menopause
During pregnancy, high levels of female hormones cause the hair to appear thicker because very little hair is shed during this time. When hormone levels return to normal, hair loss can be dramatic. Hair will usually grow back once the hormones are stable but in some women, hair does not recover its former volume.
During menopause, the loss of female hormones often causes a gradual thinning of the hair. Thinning hair can also be a result of genetic heritage in both men and women. To add to the problem, thyroid imbalances during menopause are common, further increasing the hormonal imbalance.
As a top hair loss specialist in Toronto, Dr. Asaria stays up to date on all research and advances in diagnosing and treating hormone-based hair loss as well as cutting-edge techniques in hair restoration.