What Hormone Causes Women’s Hair Loss?
DHT or dihydrotestosterone is the main hormone linked to women’s hair loss. It shrinks hair follicles, shortens the growth phase, and makes it harder for healthy hair to grow back. Women with a genetic sensitivity to DHT often experience gradual, diffuse thinning, especially around the crown or part line.
Shifts during pregnancy, menopause, stress, or thyroid changes can also throw off women’s natural hair growth cycle and cause thinning or shedding. If hair thinning is making you self-conscious, SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION at Ziering Medical. We offer advanced treatments for women’s hair loss, including medications, topicals, and female hair transplants.
DHT and Female Pattern Hair Loss
DHT is the main cause of female pattern hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia. It’s a byproduct of testosterone. Yes, women have testosterone too, just in smaller amounts than men. In both sexes, testosterone gets converted into DHT by an enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase.
DHT helps with skin health and body hair growth. But too much of it, or having hair follicles that are sensitive to it, can lead to hair loss.
DHT binds to androgen receptors in your scalp and slowly causes miniaturization of the hair follicles. This means the follicles shrink, produce thinner hairs, and eventually stop producing hair altogether. The result is shedding, thinning, and a visible scalp.
In women, female pattern hair loss shows up as:
- Thinning along the part line
- Widening of the part
- Overall volume loss at the crown
- Hair that feels finer and less dense over time
Not all women produce high levels of DHT, but those who are genetically sensitive to it can experience hair loss even with normal hormone levels. That’s why hair loss often runs in families. Unlike men, women rarely experience complete baldness from DHT-related loss. But the progressive thinning can still be distressing, and if left untreated, it usually worsens over time.
Postpartum Hair Loss
Postpartum hair loss is caused by a sudden drop in estrogen after childbirth. During pregnancy, high estrogen levels keep hair in the growth phase longer, so many women notice thicker, fuller hair.
After delivery, estrogen levels fall. This shift triggers more hair to enter the resting (telogen) phase at the same time, leading to noticeable shedding about 2–4 months postpartum. This condition is called telogen effluvium.
Postpartum hair loss is temporary and usually peaks around 4 to 6 months after birth. Most women begin to see regrowth within 6 to 12 months. Shedding tends to be most noticeable around the hairline and temples. While it’s a normal response to hormonal changes, factors like stress, lack of sleep, and poor nutrition can make the shedding more severe.
If hair loss feels excessive or lasts beyond a year, it’s a good idea to check with a doctor to rule out thyroid problems, iron deficiency, or ongoing hormonal imbalance. Continued shedding may also indicate a predisposition of genetic hair loss, and early intervention is key with slowing down that hair fall.
Menopausal Hair Loss
Hair loss during menopause is mostly caused by a drop in estrogen and progesterone. These hormones help keep hair healthy and in its active growth phase. As they decline, hair grows more slowly and sheds more easily.
At the same time, androgens like testosterone and DHT become more dominant. If you’re genetically sensitive to DHT, this shift can lead to progressive thinning, especially on the crown, temples, or part line.
Common signs of menopausal hair loss include:
- Widening part or more scalp showing
- Overall loss of volume, especially on top
- Dry, brittle hair that breaks easily
Unlike postpartum shedding, menopausal hair loss is usually gradual and long-term. If left untreated, it can continue to worsen over time. Topical treatments like minoxidil and laser hair therapy may help slow thinning. For post-menopausal women, finasteride may be an option.
Cortisol and Stress-Related Hair Loss
Cortisol is your body’s main stress hormone. When stress becomes chronic, cortisol levels stay elevated, and that can disrupt the normal hair growth cycle.
High cortisol triggers inflammation, impeding scalp circulation and follicle function, and pushes more hair follicles into the resting (telogen) phase, leading to increased shedding. This type of hair loss is called telogen effluvium, and it often appears a few months after a major stressor like illness, surgery, emotional trauma, or burnout.
You may notice:
- Sudden shedding across the entire scalp
- Thinner ponytail or more hair in the brush
- No visible bald patches, just diffuse thinning
The good news is that stress-related hair loss is usually reversible. Once cortisol levels normalize, the growth cycle resets and hair typically grows back within 6–12 months. Lifestyle changes would be recommended to improve self-care with increased exercise, consistent sleep, a healthy hair diet rich in lean protein, plenty of hydration, and meditation or deep breathing to manage stress levels.
If the hair shedding lingers, consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Thyroid Hormones and Hair Shedding
Your thyroid produces hormones (T3 and T4) that regulate your metabolism, including your hair growth cycle. When thyroid hormone levels are too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), it can trigger diffuse hair thinning.
In hypothyroidism, slowed metabolism disrupts the growth phase, causing more hair to shed. Hair may also become dry, brittle, and thinner over time. In hyperthyroidism, the fast-paced metabolism can push hair follicles into the resting phase too quickly, leading to similar shedding.
Signs of thyroid-related hair loss include:
- Thinning across the entire scalp
- Loss of eyebrow hair (especially outer edges)
- Fatigue, weight changes, cold intolerance, or mood changes
Thyroid hair loss often looks like telogen effluvium and usually improves once hormone levels are balanced with proper treatment. A simple blood test can check your TSH, T3, and T4 levels to confirm if your thyroid is the root cause.
Treatment Options for Hormonal Hair Loss in Women
Hormonal hair loss can often be managed with the right treatment plan. The most important thing is to address the root cause, whether it’s DHT sensitivity, a thyroid disorder, estrogen imbalance, or stress.
Minoxidil is one of the most effective treatments for female pattern hair loss; it may be prescribed as a topical or tablet form. While topical minoxidil delivers the drug directly to the scalp, oral minoxidil
works systemically and affects all hair follicles, including body hair. Both options work the same by increasing blood flow to hair follicles and extending the growth phase, helping hair grow thicker and longer. Neither option blocks DHT, but both help offset its effects by keeping follicles active. It takes 3 to 6 months to see results, and shedding may increase at first.
Many of our female patients also benefited a lot from low-level laser therapy, especially with the Ziering LaserCap. This wearable, FDA-cleared device uses medical-grade laser diodes to stimulate blood flow and cellular activity in the scalp.
The increased circulation helps revive weakened hair follicles, extend the growth phase, and reduce shedding. It’s non-invasive, painless, and easy to use at home. Just 30 minutes 3 times per week. Many women use topical or oral minoxidil in conjunction with the LaserCap to amplify the results and even opt to combine it with Z Factors.
At Ziering Medical, every hair loss treatment plan is personalized to each patient and their specific needs and indications.
When to Consider a Hair Transplant for Women plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hormonal hair loss in women be reversed?
Yes, in many cases. If the underlying hormonal imbalance is identified and treated early—through medication, lifestyle changes, or hormone therapy—hair can regrow or at least stop shedding.
How do I know if my hair loss is hormonal or something else?
Hormonal hair loss often comes with other symptoms like irregular periods, weight changes, acne, fatigue, or mood swings. A blood test can confirm if hormones like DHT, thyroid, estrogen, or cortisol are out of balance.
Can birth control pills cause hair loss?
Yes. Some birth control pills can trigger hair loss, especially if they’re high-androgen index pills. Others may help balance hormones and reduce shedding. Always consult with your doctor to find the right one for your body.
Is female hair loss permanent?
It depends on the cause. Hair loss from DHT or long-term hormonal imbalance can be permanent without treatment. But conditions like postpartum shedding or thyroid-related hair loss are often temporary.
Should I see a dermatologist or a hair restoration specialist?
Either can help, but a dermatologist trained in hair loss or a board-certified hair restoration specialist will provide the most accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment plan.