Symptoms — hair loss

You don't have to put up with thinning hair!

“After I lost 65% of my hair, I got on the internet to find out more about what was going on. This is when I found Women to Women. Now my hair is growing back — from the root! It’s thick and shiny and vibrant.” — Maureen, Personal Program Member

For women, thinning hair or outright hair loss is more than just a cosmetic concern. Besides being so important to first impressions, your hair is also a reflection of your overall health picture — especially your hormonal health. Once you understand the underlying causes of hair loss in women you’ll see how a natural approach can both reverse thinning hair and improve your long-term health and wellbeing.

Accelerated hair loss and thinning hair is most common in women during menopause and perimenopause, due to declining estrogen levels. As estrogen levels fall, the resulting imbalance between estrogen and testosterone can cause thinning hair on certain areas of the head that are sensitive to androgens, commonly referred to as male pattern baldness. The same imbalance can also contribute to unwanted hair growth on the chin and face.

For similar reasons, thinning hair often accompanies polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is characterized by high levels of circulating androgens, which can cause hair loss from the scalp, increased facial hair, acne, weight gain and decreased fertility. PCOS is most common in women with insulin resistance, caused by years of poor nutrition and consuming too many simple carbohydrates and sugars.

Hair loss can also be a sign of certain nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies of vitamins A and D, iron and protein. It should come as no surprise that one of the first recommendations we make to women concerned with accelerated hair loss is to check their diet and add a medical-grade multivitamin to fill any gaps.

Stress is also an issue for women with hair loss. Elevated stress hormones can shock hair follicles into their resting phase, causing hair to fall out at the slightest tug. Most women we see at our clinic experience unremitting stress that doesn’t give the hair follicles the chance to switch back into their active growth phase, leading to thinning hair on the scalp.

A natural approach solves the cause of thinning hair

Extreme hair loss should be discussed with your healthcare practitioner. Some conditions like thyroid disease can cause dramatic hair loss and need specific treatments. But in the case of mild to moderate thinning hair, which is usually a result of hormonal imbalance, nutritional deficiencies, or elevated stress hormones, most women can get relief naturally — without having to resort to a new hair cut or experiment with hair thickening creams!

The basic approach is to support hair growth at the root by giving your body the support it needs. Many women find that a nutrient-rich diet, high-quality nutritional supplements and a little stress relief is all it takes to reverse thinning hair. For women whose hair loss is related to menopause or a more entrenched hormonal imbalance, we also recommend gentle endocrine support in the form of phytotherapy.

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Last Modified Date: 04/15/2011