Okay so, if you’re a woman dealing with hair fall and wondering if hormones are behind it — you’re not crazy. It’s a real thing. Hormonal imbalance is one of the biggest reasons for hair loss in females, but most people don’t even know which hormone’s the troublemaker
So, let’s talk about which hormone actually causes hair loss in females, why it happens, and what u can even do about it.
The Main Culprit: DHT (Dihydrotestosterone)
Yep, it’s this one — DHT. Sounds like something from a science book but it’s basically a stronger form of testosterone (yes, women have that too, just less than men).
Here’s what happens:
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Testosterone turns into DHT with help of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase
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DHT attaches to hair follicles (esp at scalp)
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It shrinks the follicles
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Hair gets thinner, weaker, and falls out
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New hair doesn’t grow back easy
This is how androgenetic alopecia (aka female pattern hair loss) happens. It’s more common than you think, especially after 30s or 40s.
But wait – women have low testosterone, right?
True, but when your hormones get outta balance, even a small increase in testosterone or DHT can mess things up. Also, things like PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) make this worse. In PCOS, your androgens (male hormones) get too high and bam – hair fall, acne, irregular periods, weight gain… all that drama.
Other hormones that can cause hair loss in women:
It’s not just DHT. Other hormones also affect your hair big time:
1. Estrogen
Estrogen actually protects hair. That’s why during pregnancy (when estrogen is high), hair feels so thick and shiny. But after giving birth, estrogen drops suddenly — and so your hair starts falling like crazy (postpartum shedding, ugh).
Also during menopause, estrogen drops again, and hair starts thinning especially on top of the head.
2. Thyroid hormones
If your thyroid is too low (hypothyroidism) or too high (hyperthyroidism), your hair gets affected. Hair becomes dry, brittle, and falls more than normal.
Signs include fatigue, weight gain/loss, cold hands/feet, mood swings, etc. A simple blood test (TSH, T3, T4) can show if thyroid is off.
3. Cortisol
That’s the stress hormone. If you’re always anxious, overworking, or not sleeping right, cortisol levels rise. High cortisol messes with other hormones and can trigger telogen effluvium — a type of hair fall where too many hairs shift into the resting phase.
So how do u fix hormone-related hair loss?
Well… depends on the cause. But here’s a few things that can help:
✅ 1. Get tested
First things first — get a blood test. Ask your doctor to check:
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Hormone levels (testosterone, estrogen, progesterone)
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Thyroid (TSH, T3, T4)
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Vitamin D, B12, Iron (because these also affect hair)
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Maybe insulin & LH/FSH if PCOS is suspected
✅ 2. Balance your hormones naturally
Some changes that help big time:
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Eat clean – less sugar, more greens, healthy fats (avocado, nuts, etc)
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Exercise – keeps insulin & cortisol under control
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Sleep – at least 7 hrs, no excuses
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Avoid crash diets – starving messes hormones fast
✅ 3. Talk to a doctor
If the issue is PCOS, thyroid, or menopause-related, you need a doctor’s help. They might prescribe:
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Birth control (for hormonal regulation)
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Spironolactone (blocks DHT)
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Thyroid meds
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Supplements (like inositol, zinc, biotin, etc.)
✅ 4. Use gentle hair products
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Sulfate-free shampoos
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No heavy styling or heat
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Scalp massages with oils like rosemary, castor or coconut
✅ 5. Be patient
Hormonal hair loss doesn’t fix in 1 week. It takes time — sometimes 3–6 months before you even see progress. Keep going, and take pics to track results (don’t just look in mirror every day, it’ll stress u out more )
Final Thoughts
So yeah, DHT is the main hormone that causes hair loss in females, especially when androgens get too high. But also watch out for estrogen drops, thyroid issues and stress hormones.
If ur hair is falling way more than usual, don’t ignore it. Could be your body telling you something’s off inside.
And remember — hair will grow back once you fix the root problem (pun intended ).