Hair thinning and loss is a major concern for many Americans. According to statistics from HairLossLearningCenter.org, 21 million women and 35 million men in the United States are affected by thinning hair. In an article published by Hair-Styles.org, Dr. Alan J. Bauman lists the main reasons for thinning hair--including genetics, illness and hormonal imbalances--but adds that about 90 percent of all cases are due to genetics.
Genetics
The so-called "male" hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is also produced by women's bodies, though in lesser quantities. If you're genetically predisposed to thinning hair, even normal DHT levels will begin to thin any genetically susceptible hair follicles in a process called miniturization. Because hair grows in cycles of three to eight years, hair will become thinner and shorter with each cycle of growth until it stops growing altogether (that's why older people usually have less hair). Bauman points out that the genetic predisposition to thinning hair and baldness can come from either the mother's or father's side of the family--in other words, if there's anyone in your family tree who's bald, you're at risk.
Illness
Most people are familiar with the hair thinning and loss that occurs due to chemotherapy cancer treatments, but hair thinning and loss can also signal an underlying condition such as lupus, thyroid disorders or even diabetes, explains HairLossLearningCenter.org, and can even occur three to four months after major surgery. However, this type of hair thinning and loss is usually reversible once the underlying condition is treated or when the treatment causing the thinning is stopped.
Hormonal Imbalance
The hormonal boost that occurs during pregnancy can often lead to hair becoming thicker, but according to MarchOfDimes.com, the hormonal let-down after pregnancy can thin hair, though again, the effect is usually temporary--unless, that is, you're genetically predisposed to thinning hair, in which case once the hormonal boost brought about by pregnancy disappears, you may experience massive hair thinning and loss all at once. Hormone imbalances due to hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone levels) can also contribute to thin hair.
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