Hair falling out in women: what to know

A widening part or thinner ponytail can fit female-pattern hair loss, while diffuse shedding may follow pregnancy, illness, stress, weight change, or an iron or thyroid issue. Round smooth patches can occur with alopecia areata. Receding edges may reflect traction from repeated tight hairstyles; scale, tenderness, or broken hairs suggest a scalp problem that needs examination.

Hormonal changes around pregnancy, menstrual changes, or menopause can alter the hair cycle, but hair loss should not be assigned to hormones without considering the scalp and broader health.

Record the start date and photograph the part, crown, temples, and hairline in consistent lighting. Avoid tight styles, frequent high heat, harsh chemical processing, and restrictive diets. Handle wet hair gently and use conditioner to reduce friction.

A clinician may ask about periods, pregnancy, medicines, family history, diet, recent illness, and symptoms such as acne or unwanted facial hair. Examination and selected tests can distinguish shedding from patterned loss and guide treatment.

Seek assessment for rapid progression, discrete bald patches, eyebrow loss, scalp pain, redness, scale, sores, pus, or severe itch. Also arrange care for hair loss with marked fatigue, dizziness, palpitations, menstrual changes, or new androgen-related symptoms such as persistent acne or increased facial hair.

Ask which pattern is present, whether iron or thyroid testing is relevant, whether hormones or medicines may contribute, and how long a proposed treatment should be tried before its effect is reviewed.