The Hidden Hormonal Triggers Behind Hair Loss (And How to Treat Them)

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Losing more hair than usual? You’re not alone. Hair loss isn’t just a cosmetic issue—it can be a painful, distressing experience, both physically and emotionally. Hair loss is painful. I do not just mean emotionally; the actual process of hair loss can cause pain for some people. From lifestyle to genetics, there may be countless reasons why your hair might fall out. A hormonal imbalance is a common but maybe not so noticeable reason why you might be experiencing hormonal hair loss, especially when accompanied by gradual thinning or scalp sensitivity—an early hormonal imbalance symptom often overlooked.

Below, we’ll examine hormonal hair loss and its potential treatments. If you’re worried about persistent shedding, scalp irritation, or visible thinning, it’s important to see a dermatologist or trichologist, as these signs may indicate an underlying hormonal issue.

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Understanding Hormonal Hair Loss

Hormonal hair loss happens when your hormones become imbalanced and make your hair thin or fall out excessively. Hormones control lots of functions all over your body, from your metabolism to your mood, even your hair growth. Gradual thinning or excessive shedding may be more than just seasonal—it could be an early hormonal imbalance symptom signaling the need for professional evaluation

The Role of Androgens in Hormonal Hair Loss

Androgens are a key group of hormones closely linked to hormonal hair loss. They directly influence the size, shape, and survival of your hair follicles. These follicles anchor your hair roots deep within the skin. When disrupted—often by excess DHT (dihydrotestosterone)— the result can be thinning hair, weakened strands, and even scalp inflammation.

An androgen imbalance is a common hormonal trigger behind both male and female pattern baldness, especially when combined with other conditions like thyroid-related hair thinning. Disruption of androgens via hormonal imbalance may lead to hair loss or thinning.

Several health conditions are closely linked to hair loss triggered by hormonal fluctuations, each affecting the hair growth cycle in distinct ways.

• Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as pattern hair loss, is one of the most prevalent forms of hormonal hair loss, often influenced by genetics and elevated DHT levels. This inherited condition leads to gradual scalp thinning and is seen in approximately 50 million men and 30 million women in the U.S. Also referred to as hereditary hair loss, it reflects a long-term hormonal imbalance that shrinks hair follicles and shortens the hair growth cycle over time.
• Alopecia areata: This is an autoimmune condition that causes patchy hair loss from inflammation in the body. It usually occurs infrequently with no clear pattern.
• Telogen effluvium: Triggered by a physical or emotional stressor. This is typically temporary and reversible.

Understanding what type of hormonal hair loss you’re dealing with can assist you in finding the best solution for you.

Hormones That Cause Hair Loss

DHT

There are some hormones within your system that can impact the health of your hair. Dihydrotestosterone or DHT is one of them. DHT affects both men and women, making it a leading cause of hormonal hair loss by shrinking follicles and accelerating scalp thinning over time.

The surplus DHT can cause your hair follicles to experience a shorter growth phase. Your hair also weakens and thins and, as such, is more prone to shedding. The reason is that the process of testosterone converting to DHT leads to a process called miniaturization, where the hair follicles shrink and eventually stop producing hairs after some time. 

Thyroid

Your thyroid can also be a big contributor to the health of your hair. The thyroid gland is an organ at the bottom of your neck that produces a series of hormones that keep various functions of the body in good working condition, such as:

• Body temperature
• Heart rate
• Metabolism

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid gland is overactive. Being underactive with your thyroid is referred to as hypothyroidism. Both conditions can interfere with the natural hair growth cycle, resulting in increased shedding, thinning strands, and noticeable signs of hormonal hair loss.

Hormones During Pregnancy

In women, hormonal levels shift dramatically during and after pregnancy, often influencing various body functions—including the health and growth cycle of hair. Hormones such as estrogen and progesterone fluctuate significantly, which can impact hair density and shedding patterns.

One of the most common concerns new mothers face is postpartum hair fall, typically a form of telogen effluvium triggered by these rapid hormonal changes. This type of hair loss generally occurs as the body recovers from the stress of childbirth and adjusts to reduced hormone levels—often referred to as the loss of the “pregnancy glow.”

Treatment Options for Hormonal Hair Loss

Treating a hormonal hair loss condition can involve treating it in every direction to restore the proper balance of hormones in your body.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is also specifically beneficial for women experiencing baldness or postpartum and women who have gone beyond menopause. These are the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), with the intention of reversing the hormone imbalance that results in hair loss and helping the hair grow again.

HRT may not be for everyone because it’s a closely watched process. There’s a lot of testing and questioning about your medical history and symptoms to see if HRT will work for you.

Medications

There is a range of drugs that are formulated to treat baldness conditions. Finasteride is one of them; it acts to prevent the formation of DHT in your body. Lowered DHT levels will give your hair a good opportunity to become healthy and strong. 

Minoxidil is a widely recommended treatment for hormonal hair loss, working as a vasodilator to improve scalp circulation. By widening blood vessels, it enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to hair follicles, supporting stronger regrowth and combating thinning caused by DHT.

Lifestyle Changes

There are some tips to keep in mind to help with fighting hormonal hair loss. Regular exercise is good because it enhances blood flow to the scalp. This can help to keep hormone levels in check and aid in hair growth

Having the right combination of vitamins and minerals also works to keep your hormones balanced. Your body needs a wide range of nutrients to function properly, so having a balanced diet is a key component to healthy hair growth.

Stress control is required in avoiding hormonal hair loss. Cortisol (the stress hormone) will be damaging to your body through hormone imbalance. Managing stress is essential, as elevated cortisol levels can disrupt hormone balance and contribute to hair loss over time. Stress levels can be lowered with stress control measures like scalp massages.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

One of the successful treatments for most patients is platelet-rich plasma¹ (PRP) therapy. This exploits the body’s own healing power of the platelets in your blood to stimulate new hair growth. Blood is taken from the body, and the plasma is separated by centrifuging it.

PRP is subsequently administered in areas where thinning occurs in the scalp. Platelet plasma mends tissues and also aids cell renewal. It helps prolong the anagen phase of hair cycle growth to keep hair follicles producing strands for longer. It’s reputed to do well in collaboration with other modalities like microneedling and medication like minoxidil.

Whether triggered by DHT, thyroid dysfunction, or postpartum hair fall, personalized treatment—including options like PRP therapy for hair growth. It can help reverse symptoms and restore confidence

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Regaining Control Over Hormonal Hair Loss

Recognizing and responding to changes in your hair’s growth cycle is the first step toward reversing hormonal hair loss. Whether it’s due to excess DHT, thyroid issues, or postpartum hormonal shifts, identifying the root cause through proper diagnosis is key.

For many individuals, especially those dealing with advanced thinning, PRP therapy for hair growth offers a promising, minimally invasive solution that works well in combination with other treatments like Minoxidil or lifestyle changes. Consulting a dermatologist or trichologist early can help pinpoint the imbalance and guide you toward effective treatments—be it PRP therapy, medications, or lifestyle adjustments.

With the right care, restoring balance isn’t just possible—it’s empowering. Take charge of your scalp health, listen to your body’s signals, and work with professionals to reclaim strong, healthy hair from within.

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1. What is Plasma-Rich Plasma ↩︎