Hair loss can have many causes: stress, deficiencies, fatigue, seasonal changes. But in women, hormones are a key factor that is often underestimated.
The real question is simple: how can you tell if your hair loss is hormonal?
There are some fairly characteristic signs. The challenge is knowing how to spot them.
Signs of hormonal hair loss
A hormonal drop is not a sudden or localized phenomenon. It doesn't create a "hole" overnight. It develops gradually, sometimes almost imperceptibly, over several months.
1. A diffuse fall
Hair loss is widespread, but it mainly affects the top of the head. The amount lost may not be significant at first, but you'll notice the density gradually decreasing.
2. A thinning at the top of the skull
The top of the head becomes less dense. In the light, the scalp is more visible, especially at the crown. This is a very common sign of chronic hormonal hair loss.
3. A widening line
The center part appears wider than before. Many women notice this in photos or when styling their hair. It's often one of the first visible signs of hormonal hair loss in women.
4. A loss of overall density
Hair volume gradually decreases. A very telling sign: the ponytail becomes thinner. You can really feel it when you tie your hair up. It's not necessarily a massive shedding, but a loss of volume over time, typical of a hormonal imbalance.
5. Thinner hair
Hair by hair, the diameter decreases. The hair appears flatter, less thick, and less covering. This phenomenon of progressive thinning is one of the most characteristic signs of hormonal hair loss.
How to differentiate between hormonal hair loss and other types of hair loss?
Unlike reactive hair loss linked to stress, iron deficiency, or a change of season, hormonal hair loss:
-
It gradually takes hold.
-
Evolves over several months
-
It mainly affects the top of the skull.
-
This is accompanied by a gradual thinning of the hair.
It is generally linked to a hormonal imbalance, whether temporary or chronic.
If you recognize these symptoms of hormonal hair loss, it's important not to wait. Blood tests and hormone testing can identify the precise cause and allow for earlier intervention, before the thinning worsens.