Cause of Female Hair Loss

Androgen Hormones Cause a Serious Imbalance

Many people don't realize that certain hormones can cause hair loss in women, the majority of which are androgen hormones, of which males have higher levels. If these androgen hormones, namely testosterone, androsteinedione and dihydrotestosterone, are too prevalent in a woman's body, hair loss could result. This type of hormonal imbalance can interfere with the hair's natural cycle of growth and rest, causing the follicle to shrink and eventually die. This is what is called androgenic alopecia. The androgenic hormones can also cause hirsuteness -- or abnormal hair growth patterns -- in women, and this condition can be treated by using saw palmetto, which works by lowering the testosterone levels.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is another common cause of female balding. The condition involves the growth of cysts on the ovaries, interfering with their production of normal female hormones. This problem lends itself to the overabundance of the androgens that cause androgenic alopecia. This combination will throw the woman's entire hormonal balance out of whack very quickly. Sometimes, depending on the woman, hair loss may be her only symptom of PCOS. Hair loss can also be a symptom of thyroid disease, as both hypothyroidism (low thyroid function) and hyperthyroidism (excessively high thyroid function) can cause hair loss.

Medical conditions, allergies, birth control pills, child birth, lupus, vitamin B deficiencies, chemical hair treatments, eating disorders, protein deficiencies, anemia, some medications, surgery, emotional traumas, stress and vitamin/mineral deficiencies can all cause hair loss in women. Some women, especially those with an A blood type, are unable to adequately process B vitamins from the foods they eat, so they do not get enough biotin and other B vitamins that are excellent for maintaining healthy hair growth. For these women, taking B supplements is essential if they want to keep their hair where it belongs. Estrogen, on the other hand, causes hair to grow fuller and more lustrous, which is why menopause and perimenopause quite often cause hair to turn dry, brittle and to fall out, which eventually leads to hair thinning.

Smoking tobacco can also contribute to hair loss in women, as it creates high levels of cadmium, which is a metal that can cause hair thinning. Lead and mercury are two other heavy metals that have the same effect on hair. This may be the source of the problem if a woman works with metals or lives near a working mine where these types of metals may be found. The mine dust floats through the air and when it builds up in the woman's hair follicles, it causes the hair growth cycle to terminate. Having the hair analyzed by a naturopathic physician will determine the diagnosis. Liver disease and pituitary disorders are also possible culprits to hair loss.