If you've noticed more hair in your brush, on your pillow, or clogging the shower drain, hormonal imbalance could be the reason for your hair loss — especially if it shows up in certain spots. And it’s a common issue: About 80% of women experience some form of hormone imbalance in their lifetime, while men often lose about 1% of their testosterone levels yearly after age 40.
At Liondale Medical on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, Lionel Bissoon, DO, helps patients identify hormonal causes of hair loss and restore hair thickness. Here’s what you should know about the top places hair falls out when the cause is hormonal, and what you can do about it.
Most people shed about 50-100 hairs daily, but shedding more than this can lead to noticeable hair loss. Your hair may begin to thin for many reasons, including:
Sometimes, hair loss has more than one cause, or the exact reason remains unclear.
When hormones play a role in hair loss, it tends to occur in certain areas, such as:
Hormone imbalances, especially those caused by changes in an androgen called dihydrotestosterone (DHT), often trigger a receding hairline.
Low hormone levels contribute to thinning hair on the scalp. Women may experience female-pattern baldness (thinning on the top of the head along the part). Men may develop baldness on the crown. In some cases, thinning spreads all over the scalp.
Hair loss on the scalp could be due to an imbalance in estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, thyroid hormone, cortisol, DHT, or combinations of hormones.
You might notice thinning of your armpit hair due to hormone imbalances, especially due to changes in testosterone or estrogen levels.
Loss of pubic hair may indicate low testosterone, low estrogen, imbalanced DHT, or combinations of hormone fluctuations. This type of hair loss commonly occurs with age. Yet, if it happens suddenly or severely, it may signal another underlying condition and should be evaluated.
While a hormone imbalance can cause you to lose hair all over your body, be sure to get checked if this occurs.
Liondale Medical provides several treatments for hair loss, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), stem cells and exosomes, bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), and nutrition therapy. Support your treatment with a balanced diet, dietary supplements (as recommended), sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and stress management to optimize hair health and thickness.
Schedule a hair loss evaluation with Dr. Bissoon at Liondale Medical to achieve fuller, thicker, healthier hair and learn about additional anti-aging solutions. Call our office or book an appointment online.
