Female Hair Loss: Causes and Treatments

Around one in three of us as women will face hair loss at some point. After menopause, nearly two out of three experience thinning or bald patches.

For many of us, losing hair feels heavier than it does for men—because society rarely makes space for women with visible hair loss.

This kind of change can deeply affect how we feel about ourselves and impact our daily lives.

Why Female Pattern Hair Loss Happens

Female pattern hair loss mostly comes from our genes. We can inherit it from either side of the family.

These genes make our hair follicles more sensitive to androgens—male hormones that everyone has, including women.

Androgens help control how our hair grows, which happens in four repeating stages:

• Anagen phase: Your hair grows
• Catagen phase: Growth slows down
• Telogen phase: Hair takes a break
• Exogen phase: Strands shed

When our follicles react more to androgen hormones, they cut the growth (anagen) phase short. Over time, this causes our hair to grow back finer, weaker, and shorter.

11 Common Causes of Hair Loss

Many things can trigger hair loss—our genes, hormone shifts, health issues, stress, or even the way we style or treat our hair.

It’s normal for us to lose some strands every day. But if you notice sudden or heavy shedding, it might point to something deeper that needs a doctor’s attention.

1. Genetics

Androgenetic alopecia, or hereditary hair thinning, happens when our genes or hormone shifts—especially involving androgens like testosterone—disrupt the growth cycle.

Anyone can deal with it, but it tends to affect men more often. For men, thinning usually begins at the crown and hairline, creating an “M” shape.

For women, hair typically thins across the scalp without a receding hairline.

While there’s no permanent fix, you can slow the loss or encourage regrowth with treatments like minoxidil (Rogaine), finasteride, red light therapy, or hair transplant surgery.

2. Age

As we get older, our hair thins and grows more slowly. With time, some of our follicles stop producing new strands altogether.

When your hair loses pigment, it turns gray—and those strands often become finer and more fragile.

If you catch the signs early, treatments like minoxidil can help bring back some growth.

3. Stress

Telogen effluvium happens when stress causes your hair to shed more than usual. This kind of hair loss usually slows down within six months of the stressful event. Your strands often grow back and return to their normal fullness.

You can manage stress and support your hair by:

• Eating nutritious meals
• Staying active
• Getting enough sleep
• Talking to a mental health professional
• Practicing breathing exercises or meditation

4. Hair Damage

Tight hairstyles, coloring, perming, chemical relaxers, and frequent heat styling can cause a type of hair loss called traction alopecia.

This kind of damage is often permanent, but you can protect your hair by:

• Skipping tight ponytails, braids, extensions, or weaves
• Brushing gently while your hair is still damp
• Spacing out chemical treatments—at least two weeks apart
• Always using conditioner after shampooing
• Waiting 8–10 weeks between color touch-ups
• Letting your hair air dry or gently wrapping it in a towel

You might also notice hair loss on your legs or other areas where clothing constantly rubs. That’s called frictional alopecia.

5. Hormonal Imbalance

If you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your ovaries may create too many androgens, leading to hair thinning around your temples and hairline.

Some hormonal birth control pills can help lower those androgen levels. But when you stop taking them, your hormone levels might shift, causing temporary shedding.

During menopause, your body produces less estrogen, which can also lead to thinning strands over time.

6. Pregnancy and Postpartum Changes

While you’re pregnant, you’re more likely to experience health changes that can lead to hair loss, including:

• Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism)
• Iron-deficiency anemia

After delivery, your estrogen levels drop, which often triggers hair shedding. The stress your body goes through during childbirth can also lead to extra hair loss.

Postpartum shedding usually peaks around the four-month mark, and most of us see regrowth within a year.

7. Lack of Nutrients

When we don’t get enough key nutrients, our hair can start to thin or fall out. Some common deficiencies linked to hair loss include:

• Biotin (Vitamin B7)
• Iron
• Protein
• Zinc

You can support your hair by eating a well-rounded diet that restores the nutrients your body needs to grow strong, healthy strands.

8. Thyroid Disease

When you have thyroid disease, the hormone imbalance affects your whole body—including your hair. You might notice thinning strands, finer texture, or even loss around your eyebrows.

This kind of hair loss usually doesn’t last forever. Once you treat the thyroid issue, your hair often starts to grow back. Still, some thyroid medications can also trigger shedding for a short time.

9. Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy weakens your hair follicles, which leads to shedding across your scalp and body. You might lose hair from your head, brows, lashes, and pubic area. Your scalp can also feel sore or itchy.

Radiation therapy can cause similar damage. Depending on how your follicles respond, hair usually begins growing back a few months after treatment.

Wearing a cooling cap during therapy may help reduce hair loss. To care for your hair during this time, try the following:

• Avoid tight hairstyles
• Use a wide-tooth comb and be gentle
• Wrap your head with a scarf or turban
• Trim your hair shorter to ease the transition
• Choose a wig if that makes you feel more comfortable

10. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like syphilis can cause patchy hair loss on your scalp, eyebrows, or face. Once you treat syphilis with antibiotics, the shedding usually stops and your hair grows back.

HIV can also lead to hair thinning, but often through other issues like iron deficiency or poor nutrition. If you manage those conditions, you can help support healthy hair again.

11. Medications

Some medications can cause your hair to shed or thin. These include:

• Antidepressants
• Beta-blockers
• Blood thinners
• Blood pressure medicines
• Calcium channel blockers
• Lithium
• NSAIDs (like ibuprofen)
• Retinoids

If you’ve started a new prescription and notice changes in your hair, talk to your healthcare provider. They can help you adjust your treatment or explore other options.

How to Treat and Slow Thinning Hair in Women

What works for someone else might not work for you. That’s why your provider will help you choose a treatment plan that fits your needs and goals.

You have several options for treating female pattern hair loss. These can include:

Natural Oil

Natural oils like batana, rosemary, peppermint, castor, coconut, and tea tree help nourish your scalp and strengthen your strands.

Batana oil provides antioxidant benefits from vitamin E, which supports hydration and protects your scalp. Rosemary and peppermint oils may improve blood flow and calm inflammation. Castor and coconut oils help lock in moisture, while tea tree oil can reduce buildup and irritation.

Balanced Diet

When we eat a balanced diet, we give our bodies the nutrients needed for steady hair growth. Filling our meals with a variety of fruits and vegetables helps you get the vitamins and minerals that support healthy strands and scalp.

Scalp Massage

When you massage your scalp, you boost blood flow and help nourish your hair roots. A 2016 study found that consistent scalp massages made hair thicker. Researchers believe this happens because massaging activates the skin and tissues beneath the scalp.

Medications

Women who suffer hair loss usually start by applying over-the-counter treatments like minoxidil (Rogaine®) directly to your scalp. This topical solution is often the first step for female pattern hair loss.

Your provider might also prescribe an oral medication like finasteride (Propecia®). In some cases, they may recommend using it alongside ketoconazole 2% shampoo for better results.

Hair Transplant

Your healthcare provider can perform a hair transplant by removing small sections of skin with healthy follicles from one part of your body and placing them where your scalp shows thinning or bald spots.

Platelet-Rich Plasma

Your provider will draw a small amount of your blood, separate the platelet-rich plasma, and inject it into your scalp to help trigger hair growth.

Red Light Therapy

Your provider uses low-level red light therapy on your scalp to support healthy hair growth and stimulate your follicles.

Styling Techniques

You can cover female pattern hair loss by choosing specific hairstyles, wearing wigs, or using hair weaves that blend with your natural look.

Hormone Therapy

If shifting hormones—like during menopause—lead to hair loss, your doctor might suggest hormone therapy to restore balance. You may benefit from treatments like birth control pills or estrogen or progesterone replacement.

How to Prevent Hair Thinning Over Time

Since female pattern hair loss often runs in families, we can't always prevent it. But you can take steps to keep your hair as strong and full as possible by:

• Washing your hair gently with a soft shampoo and conditioner
• Applying leave-in conditioner or detangler before brushing
• Drying your hair on the lowest heat setting
• Limiting how often you use heat tools like flat irons and curlers
• Avoiding harsh chemical treatments like relaxers or perms
• Eating balanced meals with enough calories, protein, and nutrients
• Quitting smoking if you haven’t already

These changes support healthier hair and may slow down thinning.

Start Strengthening Your Roots with Keyoma

If you're feeling overwhelmed by hair shedding or hair loss, you're not alone—and you're not without options.

At Keyoma, we understand how deeply personal and frustrating this journey can feel. Whether you're managing genetic thinning, hormonal shifts, or stress-related shedding, the right tools and habits can make a difference.

We built our product to help you take back control—starting with your scalp and strand health. From growth-supporting products to everyday care guidance, we’re here to walk with you step-by-step.

You deserve to feel confident in your hair again. Let’s start regrowth together.