What Illnesses Cause Thinning Hair in Women?

According to the American Hair Loss Association, more than 40 percent of hair loss cases are attributed to women, making hair loss (alopecia) a normal occurrence in almost half of the female population. The human body is a finely tuned instrument and any disturbance can throw a number of normal body functions off course, including hair growth.

PCOS

• Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) tend to experience male pattern hair loss because of a hormonal imbalance and a significant increase in male hormones (androgens). This type of hair loss, known as androgenic alopecia, affects between 40 percent to 70 percent of women with PCOS, including teenagers. There are no treatments to cure this form of alopecia, but several drugs can be used to slow down the hair loss. They include oral contraceptives and over-the-counter medications such as 2 percent Minoxidil (Rogaine).

Menopause

• Women who are going through menopause may notice thinning hair around the scalp. This is due to a decrease in estrogen. The drop-off in estrogen levels causes the hair to fall out in areas, such as the crown of the head, that are heavily affected by male hormones. It is very similar to the hair loss seen in PCOS, since both conditions are caused by hormonal imbalances.

Diabetes

• Diabetes is a hormonal circulatory condition. When the body doesn't produce or correctly utilize insulin, it causes the blood to circulate slower, which can directly affect hair growth and regeneration. Diabetes also causes slow healing, which may affect the way damaged hair follicles heal, causing the new hair inside to cease growing or to fall out. For these reasons, some people with diabetes notice their hair is thinning or falling out a little more than usual. Sometimes hair loss is a side effect of medication; in this case, discuss alternative medication options with your doctor. Meanwhile, following good nutritional guidelines will help improve your health and may also help slow down hair loss.

Lupus

• According to Dr. April Chang-Miller, M.D., of Mayo Clinic, hair loss is experienced by at least 54 percent of people who suffer with lupus. Hair loss in this case is usually temporary and no cause for alarm. The hair usually falls out in the crown and may come out in patches. Treatment generally consists of just treating the lupus itself. Some people with lupus find that they may have a rash on the scalp. The rash (called a discoid rash) causes scaring and damage to the hair follicle and scalp. Hair loss that results from this condition is permanent.

Trichotillomania

• This is a condition in which a person pulls out their own hair. Pulling out small amounts of hair is something most of us do cosmetically, but people with trichotillomania pull out hair in large amounts habitually, either from the eyebrows, scalp or eyelashes. This condition may be triggered by stress. Trichotillomania is classified as an impulse control disorder, and since the causes are still in the dark, so are the treatments. Women with this condition should seek counseling to get help in understanding the condition itself.