Hair Thinning in Women Causes, Testing and Treatments

Common Causes of Hair Thinning in Women

Causes of hair thinning in women identified by clinical sources include female pattern hair loss, temporary shedding known as telogen effluvium, and underlying health conditions. Cleveland Clinic lists several risk factors for female pattern baldness, including age, DHT involvement, genetics such as first-degree relatives with hair loss, and menopause-related hormone changes.

Cleveland Clinic also explains that telogen effluvium causes shedding a couple of months after a stressor or change. Furthermore, medical conditions such as thyroid problems, iron deficiency, and PCOS can be involved in hair changes (see the guide to PCOS and the guide to telogen effluvium).

Female Pattern Hair Loss

Female pattern baldness affects approximately 30 million women in the United States. Cleveland Clinic reports that this condition affects about one-third of all women at some point. After menopause, about two-thirds of women have thinning hair or hair loss (see the guide to perimenopause hair loss).

Signs of female pattern hair loss follow the Sinclair scale, according to Cleveland Clinic. This scale tracks hair changes from minimal loss to a slight gap at the center part, a wider gap, loss toward the front hairline, and advanced loss. Cleveland Clinic names age, DHT involvement, genetics involving first-degree relatives with hair loss, and menopause-related hormone changes as risk factors. Without treatment, female pattern baldness gets worse and is permanent.

Temporary Shedding vs Pattern Loss

Telogen effluvium is temporary shedding triggered a couple of months earlier by a stressor or bodily change. Cleveland Clinic reports that telogen effluvium usually lasts three to six months. Specific triggers listed by Cleveland Clinic include fever, childbirth, infection, stress, surgery, thyroid disease, stopping birth control, restrictive diets, and some medications.

Women experiencing hair loss following delivery can review the guide to postpartum hair loss for context on that specific trigger. While telogen effluvium shedding is temporary and tied to an earlier event, female pattern baldness gets worse and is permanent without treatment.

Hormones, Thyroid and Iron

Hormone shifts, thyroid disease, and iron deficiency can be involved when a woman experiences hair thinning. According to Healthline, sex hormone tests can help identify PCOS-related hair loss. Healthline also lists complete blood count (CBC) and ferritin tests to evaluate iron status (see the guide to iron and ferritin testing).

Cleveland Clinic includes thyroid disease among the potential triggers for telogen effluvium. When thyroid function is disrupted, hair shedding may follow (see the guide to hypothyroidism). Evaluating these systemic factors helps clinicians determine whether an internal health condition contributes to hair thinning.

How Doctors Work It Out

Clinicians evaluate hair thinning through scalp examinations, specialized instruments, and laboratory work. Cleveland Clinic states that diagnosis begins with a physical scalp exam. A densitometer can measure follicle thickness .

If other conditions are suspected, Cleveland Clinic notes that healthcare providers may use a scalp biopsy, hair samples, and blood tests. Healthline lists specific blood tests used when investigating hair loss, including CBC, ferritin, TSH, vitamin D, vitamin B12, glucose, and sex hormones (see the guide to blood tests for hair loss).

Treatment Options Clinicians Discuss

Treatment options for hair thinning in women depend on the underlying cause identified by a clinician. For female pattern baldness, Cleveland Clinic lists minoxidil, finasteride, hair transplant, platelet-rich plasma, red light therapy, and styling. Cleveland Clinic notes that without treatment, female pattern baldness gets worse and is permanent.

Prescription options need a clinician to evaluate suitability. Finasteride carries pregnancy cautions, and patients must discuss risks and safety considerations with a qualified healthcare provider. Ask a clinician which treatment options apply to your specific situation.

When to See a Doctor

Individuals should consult a healthcare provider when experiencing sudden hair shedding, localized scalp symptoms, or concurrent health changes. Healthline advises seeking medical care for sudden or patchy hair loss, scalp redness, itching, or pain. Healthline also recommends an evaluation if hair loss begins after starting a medication, or if fatigue, weight change, or menstrual irregularity occur alongside hair thinning.

Because Cleveland Clinic notes that female pattern baldness is permanent and worsens without intervention, a clinician can help establish whether pattern loss or temporary shedding is present. This page is educational and not a substitute for a clinician's advice.

Where to Find Iron & Ferritin Test Kits