Women may lose hair for many reasons, including extreme stress, fad diets, menopause, pregnancy and childbirth, illness, side effects of medications and thyroid problems. There are ways to treat hair loss, including topical medications to promote more hair growth. But if you know what is causing your hair loss, you can usually take action to stop it.
Step 1
Get thyroid problems in check. Underactive thyroid, or hypothyroidism, is common in women after menopause, and can lead to hair loss in women. If your hair is thinning or falling out, have your doctor check your thyroid function. If underactive thyroid is to blame, a simple hormone medication can treat the problem and stop hair loss.
Step 2
Eat a healthy diet. Skip the all-grapefruit, all-white food or all-carbohydrate fad diets, and stick to a healthy meal plan. Eating an unhealthy diet without the proper nutrients that your body needs--especially diets low in protein--can cause hair loss. To restore your mane to its normal luster, focus on a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Step 3
Change medications that cause hair loss. If you're taking an antidepressant, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), oral contraceptive, beta-blocker, calcium channel blocker or retinoid medication, it could be behind your hair loss. Talk to your doctor about switching to an alternative drug that doesn't have that unpleasant side effect, or at least lowering your dosage if possible.
Step 4
Take care of your hair. Poor hair care can also lead to hair loss, but you can focus on proper hair care to stop your strands from falling out. Don't pull hair in a tight ponytail or other style that requires elastic bands to pull on hairs, which can cause them to fall out. Be careful with styling tools and products, as hair damaged from too much heat or too many chemicals may start to fall out.
Step 5
Try medications. There are over-the-counter and prescription medications available to stop hair loss. Rogaine (minoxidil) is an over-the-counter topical treatment used directly on the scalp to stop hair loss, says the American Academy of Family Physicians. It is available for use by both men and women. Propecia (finasteride) is a prescription medication taken orally (as a pill), but the AAFP says it is generally only prescribed for men. You can also try a wig, hair piece or new hair style to try to mask your hair loss while it is growing back.
Tips and Warnings
- Many times, hair that has fallen out due to cancer treatments (like chemotherapy) or for hormonal reasons (like childbirth) will grow back on its own without treatment.
- It is a good idea to get the cause of your hair loss diagnosed, as another medical condition that needs treatment could be to blame.
Things You'll Need
- Medications to treat hair loss
- Thyroid medications
- Dietary protein
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