- Taking Certain Medication
Take another look at the side effects of the drugs you’re taking — hair loss may be on the list. Examples of such meds include blood thinners, acne medications high in vitamin A, anabolic steroids, or medications for arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems, or high blood pressure.
- Expectant Mother
As an expectant woman, your hormones keep your hair from falling out as often as it normally does. That makes it seem thicker and more luscious. After birth, the extra hair hanging onto as hormones will shift again. Everything should balance out about 3 to 6 months later.
- Lack Of Iron
Iron helps keep your hair healthy. When levels drop, so can your hair. You’ll likely have other clues that low iron is to blame for your hair loss, like brittle nails, yellow or pale skin, shortness of breath, weakness, and a fast heartbeat.
- Stressed
Sometimes, large doses of stress can make your body’s immune system turn on itself and attack your hair follicles. Lots of worry and anxiety can also pause your hair growth, which makes hair more likely to fall out when you brush.
- Lack Of Protein
A body low on protein finds a way to conserve where it can, and that includes halting hair growth. About 2 to 3 months after that, hair starts to fall out. Adding more meat, eggs, fish, nuts, seeds, and beans to your meals can pack more protein into your diet.
- Birth Control Medication
Hormonal birth control like oral contraceptives, implants, injections, vaginal rings, and patches can trigger hair loss if you have a history of it in your family. Your doctor might be able to recommend a non-hormonal option that may help you keep more of your locks.
- Been Hard on Your Hair
Sometimes it’s your styling routine that’s to blame when your hair starts to break or fall out. Using too much shampoo, brushing or combing your hair when it’s wet, rubbing hair dry with a towel, or brushing too hard or too often can all strain your strands and make them break.
- Use Of Heat on It
Daily use of blow-dryers, flat irons, and curling irons dries out your locks and makes it easier for them break and fall out. Bleach, dye, relaxers, and hair sprays can do the same thing.
- Smoking
Your hair isn’t immune to the damage smoking can cause. Toxins in cigarette smoke can mess with your hair follicles and keep hair from growing and staying on your head.
- Menopause
The shifting hormones of it can ramp up shedding. It should go away after about 6 months. But if you notice your part widening, or hair loss at the top and crown of your head, talk to your doctor. You may have female pattern hair loss, which can be treated.
- Eating Disorder
Both anorexia (not eating enough) and bulimia (throwing up after you eat) can make your hair fall out, because your body isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to grow and maintain healthy hair. These are mental disorders. They need to be treated by a team of mental health professionals, dietitians, and other medical specialists.
Reviewed by Stephanie S. Gardner, MD on 10/7/2018