Hair loss is one of those wretched life experiences that many women find confronting. Often, it manifests as extra strands in the shower drain, which you tend to ignore. Or as a ponytail that you can’t quite work out why it feels thinner than it once did. For some women, it can happen suddenly. Literally overnight. However, for others, it can unfold slowly over the years.
While hair loss is commonly associated with men (it affects up to 85% of them at some point in their lives), hair thinning is far more widespread in women than many people realise. In fact, for some women, it is even a taboo subject.
However, like with most situations, ignoring hair loss won’t make it go away. Indeed, many of the triggers are tied to everyday life stages, emotional pressure, and health changes that rarely get openly discussed.
We know thousands of women in Australia have concerns about hair loss. That is why we want to shine a light on this topic to make them feel less concerned and alone.
How Common is Hair Loss in Women?
Hair loss is actually very common in women, affecting 49% of them according to the Australian Journal of General Practice. It also affects women at different stages of life.
Some of the main causes of hair loss are attributed to:
- Hormonal shifts
- Stress
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Health conditions
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Extended periods of emotional strain
All of these can affect trigger changes in the hair growth cycle. But thankfully, there are treatment pathways and other resources available to help counter them. You can click here to find out more information.
Why do Hormonal Changes Trigger Hair Loss?
Hormonal hair loss in women is one of the most common causes of thinning hair in Australia.
Hormones regulate hair growth, follicle strength, and scalp health. So, when a woman experiences hormonal changes, it can affect their hair growth cycle. For instance, pregnancy often leads to thicker hair, which is then followed by postpartum hair loss once their hormone levels have settled again.
Similarly, perimenopause hair loss and menopause-related thinning can appear gradually as a woman’s oestrogen levels fluctuate. Conditions such as PCOS and thyroid disorders can also affect hormone balance, which may, in turn, contribute to ongoing hair shedding or a reduced density of hair.
What Impact Does Stress, Burnout, and Emotional Strain Have on Hair Loss?
Many women juggle work, family, and personal responsibilities, and the emotional load involved in doing so can quietly affect their hair health.
Chronic stress can place immense strain on the body. If it continues, it can push hair follicles into a resting phase that leads to increased shedding. Indeed, telogen effluvium in women often appears months after a stressful period, illness, or emotional burnout.
For this reason, it is important to take measures to reduce your stress levels. Here are some of the best ways you can do that.
How Nutritional Deficiencies Can Affect Hair Growth
There is a strong connection between nutritional deficiencies and hair loss. This means that if you are not eating properly, you are more susceptible to the condition.
Our hair relies on adequate levels of iron, protein, zinc, and vitamins to grow well and remain strong. However, thanks to our busy lifestyles, it’s not always easy to consume the right nutrients in daily meals. At the same time, following restrictive diets and poor digestion can also affect our nutritional intake and the rate of absorption. This, in turn, can affect our hair health.
Similarly, iron deficiency is particularly common in women. Over time, this may also lead to increased hair shedding.
Is Hair Loss Linked to Underlying Health Conditions?
Aside from lifestyle factors, several medical conditions can cause hair loss in women. Conditions such as autoimmune diseases, chronic illnesses, and long-term medication use may influence hair growth patterns. Likewise, inflammation within the body can also affect a woman’s scalp health and follicle function.
If you notice sudden hair loss that persists for several months or worsens over time, it is worth consulting a doctor or trichologist. They can help identify possible causes, review health history, and suggest the best course of action.
What is the Connection Between Scalp Health and Hair Thinning?
There is a strong link between poor scalp health and the increased chance of hair shedding that many women aren’t aware of.
An irritated or inflamed scalp can interfere with your healthy hair growth. Over time, this can weaken the follicles and result in hair loss.
Product buildup, poor circulation, or untreated scalp conditions may contribute to the ongoing thinning of your lovely locks. To counter them, it is wise to conduct gentle hair care practices with quality products that protect your strands and encourage them to grow.
Why Hair Loss in Women Is Rarely Talked About
Unfortunately, many women who suffer from hair loss rarely talk about it to their families or friends. One of the main reasons why is that there is a deeply ingrained societal stigma around it. Another is that it is incorrectly misconceived as being primarily a male issue. This lack of open discourse causes many women to struggle in silence. In some cases, it can result in them experiencing significant psychological distress.
There is also the perception in some quarters that hair loss is a “Cosmetic Issue”. This can lead to it being dismissed as a trivial, cosmetic concern rather than a legitimate medical issue. As a result, women experiencing hair loss may feel uncomfortable discussing the emotional impact on their quality of life and self-esteem. They may also choose not to seek medical care due to a feeling of embarrassment.
You may have also noticed that there is a general lack of representation of hair loss in mainstream beauty narratives. It rarely features women experiencing hair loss, which can further contribute to a sense of isolation among those afflicted with it.
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