Hair Loss in Women
Hair loss in women can feel very personal, especially when you notice more hair in the shower, a thinner ponytail, a widening part line, or a change in the way your hair sits. At Carmen Du Preez Trichology in Perth, female hair loss is assessed by looking at the pattern of loss, the scalp, the hair follicles, and the history behind the change.
There is not always one single cause. Female hair loss may be linked to genetics, hormonal changes, stress, illness, surgery, medication changes, nutritional deficiencies, scalp inflammation, postpartum changes, menopause, autoimmune conditions, or repeated tension on the hair.
If you are concerned about hair shedding, thinning, or a visible change in hair density, a trichology assessment can help narrow down what may be contributing to the problem and what the next step should be.
Female Pattern Hair Loss
Female pattern hair loss is one of the most common forms of progressive thinning in women. It often appears gradually, with reduced density through the top of the scalp, crown, or part line. Many women first notice that their part looks wider, their scalp is more visible under bright light, or their hair does not feel as full as it used to.
When I assess this, I would look at the distribution of thinning, whether there is variation in hair shaft thickness, whether the follicles are still intact, and whether there are signs of scalp inflammation. Trichoscopy can be helpful because early miniaturisation may not be obvious to the naked eye.
Female pattern hair loss can be influenced by genetics and may become more noticeable around hormonal changes such as menopause. It can also overlap with shedding conditions, so it is important to distinguish gradual density loss from sudden shedding.
Telogen Effluvium and Sudden Hair Shedding
Telogen effluvium is a type of diffuse hair shedding that can happen after the body has been under strain. Triggers may include illness, surgery, high stress, weight loss, nutritional deficiency, medication changes, hormonal changes, or other health events.
Often, the trigger happened two to three months before the shedding became noticeable. This can be confusing because the hair may start coming out after the stressful event has already passed.
In clinic, I would ask when the shedding started, whether it came on suddenly or gradually, how much hair is coming out when washing or brushing, and whether there were health, stress, diet, medication, or hormonal changes in the months before it began. The good news is that shedding does not always mean permanent hair loss, but ongoing shedding should still be investigated properly.
Hormonal Hair Loss, Postpartum Shedding and Menopause
Hormonal changes can affect the hair cycle. Some women notice shedding after pregnancy, during breastfeeding, after stopping or changing hormonal medication, around perimenopause, or after menopause.
Postpartum shedding is often related to the normal change in the hair cycle after pregnancy, but it can feel quite confronting when large amounts of hair are coming out. Menopause-related thinning may be more gradual and can overlap with female pattern hair loss, nutritional factors, thyroid changes, stress, or scalp health concerns.
Rather than assuming the cause is only hormones, I would also look at iron stores, thyroid function, vitamin D, B12, folate, diet, stress, sleep, medications, scalp condition, and family history where relevant. The pattern, timing, scalp health, and history all matter.
Alopecia Areata and Patchy Hair Loss
Alopecia areata is an autoimmune form of hair loss that often causes round or oval patches. The skin may look normal, and the follicles may still be intact, which is different from scarring hair loss.
Patchy hair loss should be assessed carefully because not all patches are alopecia areata. I would look for defined margins, short broken hairs, black dots, redness, scaling, tenderness, or signs that another condition may be present.
Traction Alopecia
Traction alopecia occurs when repeated tension is placed on the hair follicles over time. It may be linked with tight ponytails, buns, braids, extensions, weaves, or other hairstyles that repeatedly pull on the same areas.
It commonly affects the hairline, temples, or areas exposed to repeated pulling. Early traction-related hair loss may improve if the tension is removed, but long-standing traction can damage follicles and may become permanent.
When I assess possible traction alopecia, I would look at the hairline, temples, broken hairs, scalp tenderness, inflammation, and whether the hair care routine is placing ongoing strain on the follicles.
Scarring Alopecias and Hairline Changes
Some forms of hair loss are scarring, which means the follicle openings may be damaged or lost. Conditions such as frontal fibrosing alopecia, lichen planopilaris, and central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia need careful medical assessment because early recognition may help reduce further follicle damage.
Signs that need attention include a receding frontal hairline, eyebrow thinning, scalp tenderness, itching, redness around follicles, scaling, smooth shiny areas, or areas where the follicle openings are no longer visible.
What a Female Hair Loss Assessment May Include
At Carmen Du Preez Trichology, an assessment may include:
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a detailed history of when the hair loss started
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whether the change is sudden, gradual, patchy, or diffuse
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scalp symptoms such as itching, flaking, oiliness, redness, tenderness, or inflammation
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family history of hair loss
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hormonal changes, including postpartum and menopause-related changes
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stress, illness, surgery, weight loss, or recent life events
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medications, supplements, diet, and nutritional factors
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previous products or treatments used
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visual scalp and hair assessment
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trichoscopy where appropriate
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discussion of relevant blood test results, if available
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guidance on suitable next steps
The aim is to understand what may be triggering the hair loss, not only to look at the hair itself.
When to See a Trichologist for Female Hair Loss
It is worth booking an assessment if you notice:
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increased shedding for several weeks or months
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a widening part line
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a thinner ponytail
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visible scalp through the crown or top of the scalp
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patchy hair loss
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changes around the hairline or eyebrows
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scalp itching, flaking, tenderness, or inflammation
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hair loss after illness, stress, surgery, medication changes, childbirth, or menopause
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uncertainty about supplements, products, or treatments
Understanding the cause is the first step towards knowing what to do next.
Book a Female Hair Loss Consultation in Perth
If you are concerned about female hair loss, thinning hair, or ongoing shedding, you can contact Carmen Du Preez Trichology to arrange an assessment. The consultation is private, practical, and focused on helping you understand what may be contributing to the change.
Book an initial trichology consultation to better understand your hair and scalp concern and take the next step with more confidence.