Hair Loss in Women

Whether it’s in patches or all over, hair loss in women is more common than you think.

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Inflammation in the scalp from seborrheic dermatitis or too much sun can speed the hair loss. It’s often a hormone issue, particularly with the thyroid gland.

It’s common to experience a decline in thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism), where your bodily system slow down. Both scalp hair loss and facial hair growth are signs that a doctor should check your hormone levels.

If you’re losing your hair, we recommend having the thyroid-stimulating hormone checked every other year. For others, check it around age 20, then at 35, and then every other year after age 50.

Hair loss is sometimes treated with a synthetic (sometimes bioidentical) hormone. Then you’ll need to be rechecked six weeks later to see if the supplemental dose is enough.

DISCUSS: Can I be losing my hair from stress?

For men, not needing to shave can signal a decrease in testosterone. The same goes for women—if you need to shave your legs less often, get checked out.

Given that hair loss is such a widespread issue, scientists are constantly testing new therapies. Gene therapy, for example, would involve applying genes involved in hair growth directly to the follicle.

Also, researchers are testing chemicals treatments to increase the hair growth cycle. One of the most interesting approaches to “the science of getting hair to grow faster” is the prospect of cloning, where a scientist would clone your hair so it could be donated to those in need.

MORE: Stress From Your Job May be Causing Your Hair to Fall Out