4 Major Contributors of Hair Loss

By Di Di Payne 10/20/2025

Hair loss, or alopecia, can be caused by many different factors- both internal and external. From stress and diet to hormones and genetics, our hair often reflects what's happening inside our bodies and minds. Understanding the root causes can hep you take practical steps to protect and restore your hair's natural growth cycle. Below are 4 major contributors of hair loss.

Stress

Stress can cause Telogen Effluvium, a condition where hair prematurely enters the resting/shedding (telogen) phase of its growth cycle.When this happens, you may notice more shedding or thinning than usual. The good news is that Telogen Effluviym is usually temporary and can be reversed once stress levels are reduced.

Removing stress from you life is of course good for your overall health, but for you hair health it can be the difference between full thriving hair and limp, brittle hair. Rest and Refuel , include protein, iron and vitamins like B12 and Vitamin D- all essential for hair strength and growth.

Health

Healthy hair starts within. What you eat, how you care for you body and the medications you take all play a role in your hair's strength and vitality. One of the most common internal factors linked to hair thinning is high blood pressure and the medications used to control it. Some blood pressure drugs, such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors, can alter circulation or affect the nutrient supply to your hair follicles and leading to gradual thinning or increased shedding.

Practical ways to support healthy hair from within:

Monitor your blood pressure , nourish your body by eating leafy greens, omega-3 fatty acids to help blood flow and feed your follicles. Stay hydrated and DON'T SKIP CHECKUPS. Get regular health screenings to detect thyroid issues or nutrient deficiencies.

Genetics/Hereditary

Sometimes, hair loss runs in the family - and that's not just coincidence. Genetics and hereditary factors play a major role in determining how, when and where you might experience such thinning or shedding. Most of this presents itself as female or male- pattern baldness.

In men, hair loss tends to appear as a receding hairline or thinning in the crown. This can start as early as the late teens and early twenties. In women, it typically presents as overall thinning, especially at the crown or part line, while the hairline often remains intact.

As a American Medical Association certified Trichologist, I can break down the medical reason for you. Genetic hair loss occurs when inherited genes make your hair follicles more sensitive to androgens , specifically male hormones such as DHT ( dihydrotestosterone). Overtime, these follicles shrink, producing thinner, shorter strands until they eventually stop growing altogether. DHT presents itself a lot in those who have PCOS. This is why as discussed in the Health section it is important to get regular check-ups to rule out hormonal factors.

Post Partum Shedding

During pregnancy, high levels of estrogen prolong the anagen phase (growth phase) of the hair cycle, making strands appear thicker, fuller and more lustrous. However, after childbirth, estrogen levels drop rapidly, and many of those hairs that were "held in" suddenly shift into the telogen phase (resting/shedding phase). This is what causes postpartum shedding. To learn more about post partum shedding, read my article here.