Cause for Hair Loss in Mature Women

Hair loss may cause women to become embarrassed and self-conscious, and have negative feelings about their physical appearance. Mature women may experience loss of hair for a variety of reasons, including immune system disorders, hormone changes and lifestyle factors such as hygiene or stress. Consider this information from the Mayo Clinic about the causes of hair loss in mature women.

Pattern Baldness

• Women may experience female pattern baldness with increased age, caused by a family history of baldness.

Alopecia Areata

• Alopecia areata is a disease of the immune system that causes temporary hair loss in women who are otherwise in good health.

Telogen Effluvium

• Telogen effluvium is a temporary stopping of the hair growth cycle that causes hair to fall out faster than usual. It commonly occurs as a result of stress.

Traction Alopecia

• Mature women who wear tight hairstyles or roughly brush their hair may physically damage the hair shaft, causing the hair to break or fall out.

Lupus Erythematosus

• Lupus erythematosus is a chronic medical condition more common in women, and can cause damage to the skin that scars the scalp, resulting in hair loss.

Medications

• Medications frequently used by mature women, such as drugs for arthritis, high blood pressure and heart disease, may cause thinning or loss of hair.

Menopause

• Hormonal changes experienced by mature women during menopause may cause thinning of the hair, which may resolve after hormone levels balance out.