Solving the Puzzle of Hair Loss: 6 Lesser-Known Causes Demystified

Hair loss, hair loss, and hair loss affect all individuals, and are more or less frustrating for no one.1 Hair loss has a variety of causes—ranging from vitamin deficiencies to excess vitamin A intake to chronic health conditions. is

Fortunately, there are many ways to treat hair loss, depending on the cause. Here are 18 reasons why you're seeing less hair on your head—and what you can do about it.

Age
It is not uncommon to see hair loss or hair loss as people age.2 If you have age-related hair loss, you can use cosmetic approaches such as hair covering or hairstyles to cover thinning spots.3

Alopecia areata
Alopecia areata, a common autoimmune skin disease, causes hair loss on the scalp and elsewhere on the body. People of any age, gender or ethnic group can develop the condition. There are different types of alopecia areata - and all of them will result in some form of hair loss.5

Anabolic steroids
If you take anabolic steroids—the kind abused by some athletes to bulk up muscle—you may lose your hair. 7 Steroids are associated with endocrine regulation, which is responsible for hormones that help the body function. When a person takes steroids, those substances can affect the hormones that regulate hair growth. 8

Changing hormones
Researchers explained that starting or stopping birth control pills and continuing through menopause lead to hair loss. It is due to the change in hormonal balance that occurs during those events.1

Chemotherapy
Some drugs used to fight cancer can cause your hair to fall out. However, your hair will grow back once the chemotherapy stops. It may come back with a different texture—perhaps curly when it was straight before—or a different color.9

Low iron levels
Iron deficiency is a possible cause of unwanted hair loss. 14 Iron-deficiency anemia occurs when your body does not have enough iron. Symptoms include tiredness, fatigue, shortness of breath or chest pain.15

• Over-styling
• Extreme styling and hair treatments can cause your hair to fall out.19 Examples of extreme styling include:
• Chemical relaxers to straighten your hair
• Rows of corn
• Hair weaving
• Hot oil treatment
• tight braids
• Any type of harsh chemicals or high heat