What Can I Do About Thinning Hair?

As a woman, I never thought I’d lose my hair. Why is my hair thinning while I’m growing whiskers on my face?

I understand how distressing this must be for you. Many of my patients, both men and women, have expressed disappointment and anxiety when their hair starts thinning, and I’ve seen how it impacts their self-confidence. Although we normally lose between 50 and 100 hairs a day, when the process accelerates, as it does in two-thirds of post-menopausal women, it can be alarming.

The first approach I take with patients is to try and confirm what’s causing their condition. If your hair is thinning on your head, but you have thicker facial hair growth, it’s most likely because of a hormonal imbalance — specifically increasing levels of male hormones, including testosterone. During menopause, you lose the protective anti-inflammatory shield of estrogen, and at the same time, testosterone becomes more prominent. That’s why you’re growing hair in unwanted places like your chin.

Genetics plays a role, but it’s a complicated formula. Several genes are involved in hair loss. Although we tend to think only the maternal side is responsible, it may be caused by multiple genes from both your mother’s and father’s sides.

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Some medical conditions can cause hair loss, too. Diabetes is a common one. It both increases hair on the body and causes thinning on the head. For instance, let’s say you’ve been pre-diabetic for five to 10 years; your hair loss will likely be noticeable. Thyroid disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome (POS), a hormonal imbalance that affects the ovaries, can also cause hair thinning.

Less common reasons include an immune-system-related condition called alopecia areata, which triggers patchy bald spots. Certain scalp issues, such as ringworm, can contribute to shedding. A hair-pulling mental health disorder known as trichotillomania promotes the compulsive urge to pull out one's own hair, not only from the scalp but also from eyelashes and eyebrows.

Some medications can contribute to thinning hair, as can taking too much of certain vitamins like A and E. I don’t want to go into all the possibilities because this is something you should investigate with your health care provider, but some medications prescribed for cancer, arthritis, depression and heart problems may be responsible for your hair loss.