9 Medical Conditions that Cause Hair Loss in Women

What is hair loss in women?

Hair loss can be seen in the form of hair thinning or baldness in women. It is hair fall in patches and in huge quantities. Side effects of medicines, illness, stress, infection, or medical condition can interfere with the hair cycle leading to hair loss. In today’s blog, we are going to dive deep into 10 such medical conditions that are not known to many which leads to hair loss in women.

1. Scarring/Cicatricial Alopecia

Hair grows from hair follicles and during cicatricial alopecia, the follicles get inflamed. Inflammation destroys hair follicles. And once destroyed, hair follicles cannot grow hair. Which results in permanent hair loss.
Scarring alopecia may also be part of a much larger condition such as chronic lupus erythematosus.
Permanent and irreversible destruction of hair follicles and replacement with scar tissue. Small patches that gradually increase and the edges of the bald patches look more ragged.
If you or anyone you know is showing these signs, then do consult a Dermatologist and get it checked.

2. Thyroid Problems

Thyroid hormones play a major role in controlling and regulating almost all the functions in the women’s body including hair growth.
Thyroid conditions like hypothyroidism which is under active thyroid condition can lead to hair loss.
Even hyperthyroidism which is an overactive thyroid condition can lead to hair loss. Because in both of these conditions, the hormones are unbalanced.
Hair loss in women can also occur due to Autoimmune diseases of the thyroid gland, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Graves’ disease.

3. Alopecia Areata

In the case of Alopecia, an auto-immune disease, the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles.
Hair falls out in small, round patches (quarter sized) & in some cases, hair loss is more extensive.
It begins with a sudden loss of round patches. The recovery of this condition is quite unpredictable.
Believe that both genetic and environmental (non-genetic) factors play a role.
In this situation, seek the help of a Dermatologist on priority.

4. Physical Trauma

When a body goes through any physical trauma like a serious accident, major surgery, or serious illness, it can put the hair follicles in a shock state.
It leads to major hair loss and in some cases, it crosses over 50-60% of hair loss in women.
Sometimes hair loss is experienced right after the physical trauma and sometimes months after it.
Even conditions like severe infection or illness can cause hair loss.

5. Scalp Psoriasis

Scalp psoriasis appears as raised, reddish or salmon-coloured patches with white scales or purple with grey scales.
It shows up in single or multiple patches and can affect the entire scalp in severe cases.
Symptoms of psoriasis are similar to Dandruff like flakes, itching, and soreness.
It is believed to be transmissible, immune system concerns cause skin cells to grow faster.
In this condition, scratching a lot or very hard picking at the scaly spots, harsh treatments, and the stress that goes along with the condition can lead to hair loss. But don’t worry it’s completely reversible. Consult a Dermatologist and with proper medication and products it will be under control.

6. Diabetes

Type 1 is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas does not make any insulin.
Type 1 diabetic people are at high risk of developing autoimmune diseases one of which is alopecia areata.
Another condition that can be developed is Hyperglycaemia. In this condition, sugar remains in the blood and cannot be taken into the cells for energy.
Hyperglycaemia can also cause hair thinning, hair fragility, spareness of hair, or decreased speed of hair growth.

7. Sexually Transmitted Infection

If left untreated, syphilis can cause patchy hair loss on the scalp, eyebrows, beard, and elsewhere. Other STIs can also cause hair loss.
Chlamydia is another example of an STD that isn’t known to cause hair loss.
It’s all treatable and recoverable.
Consider consulting a Dermatologist and getting treated soon.

8. Some Medications

Certain medicines for blood-thinning medications, oral contraceptives, medicines for depression, anti-inflammatories, and calcium channel blockers can cause thinning hair or baldness.
Having too much consumption of Vitamin A or Vitamin A medicines called retinoids can lead to hair loss.
Medicines of chemotherapy can cause hair loss while treating cancer as they work to destroy cancer cells.

9. Nutrition Deficiency

Nutrition deficiencies like protein, biotin, zinc, and iron can lead to hair loss.
Restrictive crash diets can lead to all kinds of nutrient deficiencies.
This can lead to hair loss, thinning hair to patches of baldness.
Consult a Clinical Nutritionist to get a proper diet that suits your body.

Apart from these, there are many other conditions that cause abnormal or extreme hair loss in women like Stress and PCOD. To know more about hair loss do watch Dr. Shweta’s video on hair loss.

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