The Causes of Thinning Hair in Women

Seymour M. Weaver,III,M.D.

Board Certified Dermatologist

Thinning hair is one thing that most women do not want to go through. It is both a blow to self esteem and self image and can be caused by a number of different things. One of the most common medical reasons is a lowering of estrogen in the body. Lower amounts of estrogen cause an increase in dihydrotestosterone (DHT). This hormone actually causes hair loss to occur by narrowing the follicles causing thinner and thinner hair to be produced until growth stops entirely. This is usually treated with an increase in estrogen to balance out the hormones in the body.

Another reason why women get thinning hair is a lack of proper nutrition. Many women do have less than ideal nutrition due to dietary habits or lack of food supplements. As a result they can actually contribute to their own thinning hair. Proper nutrition is important to have healthy hair. A good supplement containing amino acids and B-vitamins plus biotin can do wonders for your hair.

Other medical conditions, which can cause thinning hair and ultimately hair loss, are things such as major surgery, pregnancy, or chemotherapy.

Non medical conditions that can result in thinning hair and hair loss are things such as hair pulling and even styling. Thinning hair can be the result of constant pulling on the scalp. Each time hair is pulled out it causes damage to the follicles. Chronic tension and pulling can eventually result in scaring which over time can narrow the hair follicle and ultimately cause thinner hair to grow as well as lead to permanent baldness. This is caused by things like corn rows, ponytails, braids even buns can result in thinning hair and hair loss. It can occur on a more acute basis when hair is yanked out such as in a fight.

Thinning hair is another name and stage of hair loss. It is where a significant amount of hair is being lost and it is most often noticeable to the affected individual. It can show up as a smaller pony tail or thinner dread locks without any obvious bald spots.

It could be the result of a variety of different factors. Hair loss that is occurring because of styling can be hard to identify and may need a professional consultation. In the early stages it is completely reversible.

Medical conditions, which cause hair loss or thinning hair, may be more difficult to correct. The first step is of course to identify the cause of the hair loss. Once this is identified finding a treatment option before permanent hair loss occurs and hair replacement treatments are necessary in order to regain your hair.

If your hair is not as full as before, lifeless, limp and you notice that you are loosing more and more strands or that these strands seem to be smaller and thinner than before you may be experiencing thinning hair or hair loss. This can be devastating on self esteem and on self image especially in women. This is why it is a good idea to deal with it as soon as possible in order to ensure that treatment has the best chance of success possible.

Thinning hair has many different causes and it may even be a result of multiple causes making it difficult to treat in such cases it is a good idea to speak with your dermatologist or your primary care provider about the different options available to find out why you may have thinning hair. Your evaluation may include blood tests, cultures, or sometimes a skin biopsy of the scalp.

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