Women's Health Community

Dear Enelyak: Some hair loss is normal for all of us. Normal amounts of hair loss are up to 100 hairs per day. As you may know, hair moves through three phases—growth, rest, and loss. One of the common causes of hair loss occurs when many of the hairs are suddenly synchronized in the loss, or shedding phase.

For example, during pregnancy many women experience more fullness in their hair volume. This arises when the hormones of pregnancy artificially keep the hair in the resting ("telogen") phase—avoiding normal rates of shedding. Then, up to three months after delivery, much of the hair which did not shed during pregnancy begins to be lost all at once. A similar pattern can occur with birth control pill use, or after stopping the Pill. Other medications (e.g., amphetamines, Accutane, Coumadin, Depakote, lithium, vitamin A, etc.) might be linked to hair loss. Even emotional stress or a severe illness (e.g., high fever) can induce this pattern of diffuse hair loss.

Fortunately, this type of hair loss ("telogen effluvium") generally improves on its own after three to six months, but it can take up to eight months. If there is a known trigger (e.g., a specific medication), it should be eliminated.


A second type can be hair loss from PCOS or increased male hormones.This kind of hair loss is the most common type we see and is caused by either increased levels of male hormones ("androgens") or an increased sensitivity to the effects of male hormones. The gene which increases one's susceptibility can come from either the maternal or paternal side. It can begin in adolescence, but is most likely to be present as women age. After menopause women who still have their ovaries will have increased male hormones. Many of us are familiar with older women having increased, coarse facial hair, as well as thinning scalp hair, after menopause.

Among younger women with polycystic ovarian syndrome ("PCOS") the increased levels of male hormones can prompt increased facial hair, acne, and thinning hair over the crown of the head. Yet being on a birth control pill tends to keep androgen levels suppressed.

Low thyroid, and uncontrolled diabetes are two endocrine diseases which can be linked to hair loss. Anemia, specifically low ferritin stores, can prompt hair loss. Secondary syphilis, where hair loss does not onset until well after the initial chancre has healed, is not commonly seen. Yet with each of these medical conditions some simple blood tests can establish a diagnosis. By treating the underlying cause, hair growth should normalize after treatment.

Less commonly, autoimmune problems such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) can be linked to female hair loss. Alopecia areata can produce patchy hair loss which can range from thinning to overt bald spots. Allopecia areata, like other autoimmune disorders, is characterized by exacerbations and remissions. Other autoimmune conditions which may involve hair loss include lichen planus, and scleroderma.

Bottom line. go back to your GYN or primary care MD. They can order thyroid screening tests, and a ferritin level (iron stores). If these are normal then the search should be widened.

Yours,
Jane

So is there anything that can be done to prevent or slow down menopausal hair loss? My thyroid and iron levels are fine. Im quite certain its from menopause but I dont like how much hair I am losing! Could 'hair and nails vitamins' help?

Hello Juls, I feel your pain. Im going through the same thing and I tried everything. I tried vitamins, different shampoo's and the hair regrowth serum and nothing helped me. I figured that I was going to end up bald. But once I got my hormones under control with the help of Estrace twice a week, Vivadelle (sp) Dot patches and progesterone tablets, I noticed that my hair grew back. I was thrilled but then my hormones went nuts again, so now I'm back to wearing hats. I'm sure that once my hormones are level again, I will grow my hair back once more. So perhaps you just need some Estrogen and Progesterone or if your already taking it, then you may need a blood test done to see if your meds need to be adjusted.

Good luck

Hi bpcookie - Thanks for the ideas. I'll talk to my Dr.
Hey, your pup looks like my pooch! Mine is a yorkie-maltese.