WebMD explains that genetics, hormones, certain drugs, stress, childbirth, illness, medical conditions, diet and cosmetic procedures can all influence hair loss in women. Female hair loss can be temporary or permanent, and proper treatment is determined by the cause.Continue Reading
Female pattern hair loss, or genetic hair loss, is a hereditary condition that causes permanent hair loss in women. As Mayo Clinic explains, women with female pattern hair loss generally maintain a normal hairline while experiencing diffuse thinning that results in a broadening part.
Telogen effluvium is a condition that causes temporary, diffuse hair loss throughout all areas of the scalp. According to Harvard Health Publications, it can be triggered by extreme psychological stress, major physical trauma, surgery, high fever, severe infections, dramatic weight loss, extreme changes in diet, iron deficiency and certain prescription medications. Thyroid diseases that result in hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism can also cause telogen effluvium, as can hormonal changes brought on by childbirth or menopause. Once the underlying cause is treated, telogen effluvium typically resolves itself within six months, but some cases can persist for longer. While the average person loses approximately 100 hairs per day, patients with telogen effluvium are known to lose as many as 300 hairs per day.Learn more about Women's Health