Why Do People Lose Pubic Hair?

There are many reasons for why people lose pubic hair. Often, it is simply a result of normal aging. However, other times, there is an underlying medical condition that causes the untimely loss of body hair, including pubic hair.

Addison's Disease

Addison's Disease is caused when the adrenal gland produces insufficient amounts of necessary hormones, such as cortisol and aldosterone. Low cortisol levels are often associated with hypothyroidism, so if you have been diagnosed with an underactive thyroid and have experienced thinning hair or loss of pubic hair, you should also have your cortisol levels tested.

Alopecia

"Alopecia" just means "loss of hair." However, alopecia areata is hair loss that is caused when the hair follicles are attacked by the body's own immune system, causing bald patches anywhere on the body. Androgenetic alopecia is the type of hair loss or baldness inherited from your ancestors. Called "male pattern baldness" in men and "female diffuse hair loss" in women, this type of hair loss is permanent.

Hypopituitarism

The pituitary gland produces hormones that control many functions in the body. Pituitary disease and hypopituitarism cause the pituitary gland to fail to produce those necessary hormones. This can lead to pubic hair loss. One of those hormones secreted by the pituitary gland is gonadotropins, a follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Another hormone secreted is adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), which is directly responsible for loss of pubic hair.

Menopause

Since hair follicles require estrogen, as women go through menopause, triggered when the body stops estrogen production, one of the symptoms of menopause is the thinning or loss of hair, including pubic hair. So while a woman may begin to see unwanted facial hair, she may also begin to notice thinning hair in other places.

Childbirth

Some women experience a loss of pubic hair following childbirth. This is a result of the body's hormones readjusting back to pre-pregnancy levels.

Liver Cirrhosis

When scar tissue begins to replace healthy liver tissue, the liver gradually fails to function. One symptom of liver problems is the loss of pubic hair.

Warning

Any type of pubic hair loss that is accompanied by other symptoms of illness should prompt a visit to your health provider. Don't just assume that such hair loss is strictly the result of getting older. It could actually be a symptom of a life-threatening illness that requires immediate medical attention.

References

• Symptom: Pubic hair loss
• Women's Hair Loss Project
• 34 Menopause Symptoms