Hormonal changes and imbalances can often result in temporary or permanent hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of hair loss, is tied to the presence and levels of certain androgen hormones in men and women. Androgenetic alopecia can be treated, but hair loss is generally considered permanent.

Some causes of hormonal imbalance that lead to hair loss in females are:

• Overproduction of androgen
• Androgen therapy - most often used to treat a low sex drive
• Polycystic ovary syndrome - usually initiated by high levels of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen
• Pregnancy
• Use of birth control pills - particularly in women who have an inherited tendency for androgenetic alopecia

Other causes of hormonal imbalance leading to hair loss in both males and females are:

• Diseases of the thyroid and pituitary glands
• Thyroid problems – both an under active and over active thyroid can cause hair loss
• Pituitary tumors can cause hair growth or loss - or both sequentially.

For more information on Medical Causes of Hair Loss, request our free Medical Guide.

Information on this page, provided as a service by Peggy Knight Solutions, draws upon information from the following sources: the American Academy of Dermatology, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Medical Association, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.