5 main factors for female hair loss

Found on msn lifestyle

Iron deficiency: Many women have low iron levels thanks to our menstrual cycles and this is a common cause of hair thinning. If you're noticing a change in your hair and are also frequently tired or easily exerted you should ask your doctor to check your iron levels. She can tell you if you need to eat more red meat or start taking a daily iron supplement.

Medications: Birth control, acne medications and anti-depressants can cause temporary hair loss by putting hair follicles into a rest period. If you experience such a side effect, speak with your family doctor about other treatment choices.

Hormones: Conditions like polycystic ovaries can throw the body's hormones out of whack causing the hair follicles to become dormant. Rogaine is one of the most popular options when this happens because it wakes up the follicles. "It takes at least four to six months to see results and costs about $20 a month," says Dr. Jones. Pregnancy hormone fluctuations can also trigger temporary thinning that usually goes away once hormone levels return to normal.

Diseases: Hypothyroidism, lupus, and diabetes are diseases that commonly trigger hair loss because of changes in the metabolic system. "It's important to rule these out as possible causes when identifying your hair loss so you can get proper treatment," says Dr. Jones. Once you and your doctor are managing the condition, hair counts and thickness will most likely return to normal. If that doesn't happen, book an appointment with a specialist.

Stress: "A loss in the family, a disease diagnosis, or prolonged periods of severe stress can cause hair to thin or fall out," says Dr. Jones. Once stress levels drop, hair will re-grow. In the meantime, you can use cosmetic thickening sprays or powders to make hair appear fuller. These powdery treatments contain keratin protein fibers that stick to the hair and leave you feeling more confident.