Why is my hair thinning?
Thinning hair is upsetting, and it’s one of the most common reasons women come to see me. Your ponytail feels thinner, more scalp shows at your parting, or there’s more hair in the plughole than there used to be.
The good news is that hair loss in women almost always has a cause that can be found. Once we know what it is, we know what will help, and what won’t.
The short answer
The two most common causes of hair loss in women are female pattern hair loss, a gradual thinning on top, and telogen effluvium, heavy shedding a few months after a trigger such as illness, stress or childbirth. Low iron, thyroid problems, PCOS and the menopause often play a part, and many women have more than one cause at once.
What your hair loss can tell you
How and where you’re losing hair is the best first clue. Use this as a guide rather than a diagnosis, because several causes look alike and they often overlap.
| What you’ve noticed | What it often points to |
|---|---|
| A wider parting, or thinning on top and at the crown, with your hairline kept | Female pattern hair loss |
| Much more hair falling out all over, starting two to three months after an illness, operation, stressful time or crash diet | Telogen effluvium |
| Shedding in the months after having a baby | Postpartum hair loss |
| Thinning and less volume in your late 40s or 50s, sometimes with drier, coarser hair | Menopause hair loss |
| Thinning with irregular periods, acne or extra facial hair | PCOS hair loss |
| Smooth, round bald patches that appear suddenly | Alopecia areata |
| Hair loss at your hairline or edges after tight braids, weaves, ponytails or extensions | Traction alopecia |
| A slowly receding hairline, often with thinning eyebrows | Frontal fibrosing alopecia |
| Short, broken hairs rather than hair coming out from the root | Hair breakage |
Afro-textured hair has its own patterns and risks: traction alopecia and Afro hair care. For every type, see types and causes of hair loss.
What can make hair loss worse
These rarely act alone, but they can trigger shedding or make thinning more noticeable, and most are simple to check. Blood tests for hair loss.
Low iron
Low iron stores are a common reason for shedding in women, especially with heavy periods or a plant-based diet. Iron deficiency and hair loss.
Thyroid problems
An underactive or overactive thyroid can cause diffuse thinning, often with tiredness or weight change. Thyroid hair loss.
Diet and weight loss
Crash diets, too little protein and rapid weight loss, including on weight-loss injections, can trigger shedding a few months later.
Hormone changes
Starting or stopping the pill, pregnancy, changes to HRT and the menopause can all affect hair.
Stress and illness
A high fever, an operation, COVID-19, a bereavement or a long stressful period can bring on shedding.
Medication
Some medicines list hair loss as a side effect. Never stop a medicine without speaking to your doctor.
Can hair loss in women be treated?
In most cases, yes. Female hair loss treatment depends on the cause, so whether it’s thinning hair or heavy shedding, a diagnosis comes first.
- Shedding usually settles once the trigger is found and dealt with. Regrowth takes months, so it helps to know that from the start.
- Female pattern hair loss can’t be cured, but it can often be slowed, held and sometimes improved, especially when treatment starts early.
- Deficiencies such as low iron are put right with your GP’s help, and your hair follows.
- Scarring hair loss needs help early, to calm the inflammation and protect the hair you have.
I won’t promise regrowth or a cure. I’ll tell you honestly what’s likely to help, and what isn’t worth your money.
How I find the cause of your hair loss
If you’re looking for a hair loss specialist for women, my clinic is in Forest Row, East Sussex. We spend about an hour together. I examine your hair and scalp closely and ask about the things that matter most for women’s hair:
- your periods, and any recent changes
- pregnancy, contraception and HRT
- diet, weight changes and medication
- illness, surgery or stress in the last few months
- thinning in your family
If blood tests would help, I’ll explain which ones and how to get them, through your GP or privately. You leave with a clear explanation and a written plan made for you. What happens at a consultation.
When to see your GP first
Please see your GP or call NHS 111 if:
- your hair loss came on suddenly and you feel unwell
- your scalp is very painful, swollen, weeping or bleeding
- you have patches of hair loss with redness or scarring that are spreading quickly
- you think a new medicine may be the cause. Don’t stop it without speaking to your doctor
You can still see me as well. I’ll happily liaise with your GP if further tests are needed.
Questions about hair loss in women
If yours isn’t here, send me a message and I’ll get back to you.
Is it normal for women to lose hair every day?
Yes. Everyone sheds some hair every day as part of the natural growth cycle. What matters is a change: noticeably more hair falling out, a thinner ponytail or more scalp showing.
What is the most common cause of hair loss in women?
Female pattern hair loss, followed by telogen effluvium, the shedding that follows illness, stress, childbirth or a crash diet.
Why am I suddenly losing so much hair?
Sudden hair loss in women is most often telogen effluvium, triggered two to three months earlier by illness, surgery, stress, childbirth or a big change in diet. Sudden bald patches are more likely to be alopecia areata. Both are worth checking.
Will my hair grow back?
Often, yes. Shedding usually recovers once the cause is dealt with, and pattern hair loss can be managed. Only scarring hair loss is permanent, which is why early help matters.
Do I need blood tests?
Often, but not always. It depends on your history and what I find. Blood tests for hair loss.
Let’s find out what’s going on
Book online at a time that suits you. If you have a question first, send me a message.