When hair starts to fall out, it can be very damaging to a woman's self-confidence; everything from work life to personal life can be affected. There are many treatment options available for hair loss, but before the treatments come the causes. Some of the causes can be prevented; some of them can't.
Stress
Stress can have a debilitating effect on the body. It can lead to insomnia, cause depression, raise cortisol levels and lead to weight gain. But it can also have an impact on hair. If you have an illness or a major surgery, hair has a tendency to fall out due to the stress. However, this type of hair loss is usually temporary.
Dieting
A lot of women go on crash diets. This may actually happen, but it can be at the expense of your hair. Hair needs the right vitamins and nutrients to grow. When it's deprived of those nutrients, as in the case of a crash diet, it can fall out. Two vitamin deficiencies that can particularly cause it are vitamin A and iron.
Traction
Many women constantly have their hair pulled back in a ponytail, corn rows or in a bun. This excess stress on the hair can cause it to fall out in a condition called "traction alopecia." If stopped in time, it can be reversed, but if not, it can be permanent. This condition mostly affects African American women, young adults and children.
Hormones
Hormones can play a big role in hair loss. One such instance is when the thyroid is overactive or underactive. Hair can fall out, but this can generally be treated and corrected. Hair loss can also occur if a woman's hormonal levels of estrogen and androgen are out of balance.
Pregnancy is another time when hormone levels are out of balance. During this time, certain hormones are higher than normal--which causes hair that usually falls out to stay intact. Then about 3 months postpartum, the hormones return to normal and excessive hair loss can occur.
Medicines
Prescription medications are used to treat symptoms of an existing problem. They may be effective, but they can also lead to other problems as well--such as hair loss. Some particular ones are blood thinners, chemotherapy drugs, antidepressants, gout medications and birth control pills.
Infection and Disease
There are certain infections that can lead to hair falling out in clumps. One is called "tinea capitis," also known as ringworm. This generally affects young girls, and as the name implies, the hair loss is in the shape of a circle. There are also various diseases that can lead to hair loss, two of which are diabetes and lupus.
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