Learn About Three Common Hair Loss Causes in Women
Hair loss in women is almost as prevalent as hair loss in men. It’s been reported that nearly half of the female population experience hair loss at some point in their lives. There are three common causes of hair loss in women. They include:
Androgenetic Alopecia (Female Pattern Hair Loss)
Androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern hair loss (FPHL), is the most common type of hair loss in women. It is a gradual thinning of hair all over the top and sides of the scalp. This occurs because of age, hormones, and genetics and is often first noticed by a widening of the center or side part of the hair. It often begins after menopause, and without treatment, hair loss will gradually worsen.
Anagen Effluvium
Anagen effluvium is hair loss caused by medications, therapies (chemotherapy and radiation therapy), toxins and certain autoimmune conditions. This hair loss occurs during the anagen, or growing phase, of the hair growth cycle, which can last from two to eight years. The condition is curable with effective treatment.
Telogen Effluvium
Telogen effluvium is a type of temporary hair loss that can be caused by severe stress or a physical change to one’s body. The symptoms include thinning hair, mainly on the top of the head. The hair loss occurs during the telogen, or resting phase, of the hair growth cycle. At the end of this phase, the hair falls out, and the hair growth cycle begins again. Cases of telogen effluvium typically grow back in three to six months without requiring any treatment.
Hair Loss in Women is Relatively Common
The hair growth cycle and other factors combine to make hair loss in women fairly common. The hair growth cycle consists of three phases:
- The anagen phase is the growing phase of the cycle that lasts from two to eight years.
- The catagen phase is the resting or transition phase when the hair follicles shrink. It lasts about two to three weeks.
- The telogen phase is when the scalp prepares to shed the hair grown during the anagen phase.
Different hair follicles can be in different growth cycles, which is why you may or may not notice any significant hair loss. However, along with the effects of the growth cycle, other factors accounting for hair loss in women often include:
- Stress
- Damaged hair follicles
- Rapid weight loss and changes in eating habits
- Strong chemical hair treatments
- Chemotherapy and radiation treatment
- Hormonal changes
- Certain medications and supplements
- Family history of hair loss
Risk Factors for Women and Hair Loss
Besides the many causes of hair loss, three main risk factors can also increase your chances of hair loss. They include:
- Being over age 40
- Being pregnant
- Undergoing menopause
Hormonal changes can increase hair loss in many women, particularly due to the decrease in estrogen and progesterone during perimenopause and menopause. This drop in estrogen levels can shorten the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle and cause hair to grow in new areas of the body.
However, depending on the type of hair loss you’re facing, there are many treatment options. Even in cases of permanent hair loss, several options for women’s hair transplants are available in Thailand.
Grow & Glow Clinic Can Help with Hair Loss Problems
Grow & Glow is a hair treatment clinic in Bangkok that offers a variety of treatments for women’s hair loss, including:
- FUT hair transplants
- FUE hair transplants
- DHI hair transplants
- Forehead hair transplants
- PRP hair loss injections
- Hair loss control injections
- LLLT hair root stimulation
Dr. Patra Pinyopawasutthi (Dr. Benz) is our highly experienced and certified hair transplant surgeon at Grow & Glow Clinic. She has been providing comprehensive care for thinning hair and hair loss issues for men and women at our clinic since 2019.
If you experience any of the symptoms of hair loss, schedule an appointment at Grow & Glow Clinic to get a professional opinion on the best course of treatment.
References:
- Female Pattern Baldness – Retrieved July 29, 2025, from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24943-female-pattern-baldness
- Hair Loss in Women – Retrieved July 29, 2025, from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16921-hair-loss-in-women
- Anagen effluvium – Retrieved July 29, 2025, from: https://dermnetnz.org/topics/anagen-effluvium#:~:text=What%20is%20anagen%20effluvium?,The%20alopecia%20is%20non%2Dscarring.
