5 Common Causes Of Female Hair Loss (And What You can do about it)
Struggling with female hair loss? Discover 5 common root causes—like hormones, stress, and nutrient deficiencies—and learn how to support healthy, natural hair regrowth from the inside out.
Noticing more hair in your brush lately? Wondering why your ponytail feels thinner or your part seems wider?
Female hair loss is widespread, especially in your 30s, 40s, and 50s, and it’s rarely talked about until it starts affecting your confidence.
Hair loss isn’t something you have to accept. When you understand the root causes, you can take natural, practical steps to support healthy regrowth.
As a Naturopath and Nutritionist who works with women navigating midlife changes, here are the 5 most common causes of female hair loss I see in clinic — and what you can do about them.
Hormonal Imbalances
One of the leading causes of female hair loss is shifting hormones. Whether it’s thyroid dysfunction, perimenopause, PCOS, or post-birth hormonal drops, any imbalance can impact your hair growth cycle.
Symptoms to look out for:
Fatigue
mood swings
irregular periods
dry skin
weight changes
Natural support:
Test your thyroid, iron, and hormone levels
Focus on balancing blood sugar
Support your liver with leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables
Consider herbal support like spearmint, saw palmetto, or adaptogens (with guidance)
Nutrient Deficiencies
Hair is non-essential tissue, so if you’re low in nutrients, your body prioritises other systems. Deficiencies in iron, zinc, biotin, vitamin D, and protein can all contribute to thinning hair or excessive shedding.
Are you:
Eating enough protein daily?
Absorbing nutrients well (e.g. no bloating, reflux, or food sensitivities)?
Eating a wide variety of colourful, whole foods?
Natural Support:
A whole-food, anti-inflammatory diet is one of the best foundations for reversing female hair loss.
Consider taking a comprehensive multu vitamin or hair loss specific supplement to ensure you are getting all the required nutrients each day.
Chronic Stress
Stress affects your body on every level, especially your hair. Elevated cortisol can push hair follicles into the shedding phase, disrupt your hormones, and affect nutrient absorption.
Support your stress response by:
Prioritising quality sleep
Moving your body daily (without overdoing it)
Practising deep breathing or mindfulness
Supporting your nervous system with magnesium and adaptogens
Postpartum and Perimenopause
Hair loss during postpartum or perimenopause is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s untreatable. Hormonal fluctuations, depleted nutrient stores, and disrupted sleep all impact female hair loss during these phases.
A targeted nutrition and lifestyle approach can support hormonal balance and regrowth, especially when tailored to this stage of life.
Poor Scalp Health
Your scalp is the soil your hair grows in. If it's inflamed, congested, or imbalanced, follicles won’t thrive.
Scalp imbalances that contribute to female hair loss include:
Seborrheic dermatitis
Product build-up
Poor circulation
Inflammation
Natural Support
Gentle scalp exfoliation (with natural ingredients like rosemary or tea tree oil)
Regular scalp massage to stimulate blood flow
Avoiding harsh products and sulphates
Female hair loss is never just about your hair—it’s often a sign of an internal imbalance. But with the right support, it’s possible to nourish your body, balance your hormones, and encourage healthy regrowth.
Want to dive deeper?
The Hair Reset eBook is your comprehensive, holistic guide to understanding the root causes of female hair loss—and taking action. It includes understanding the types and causes of hair loss, it help you to identify the root cause of your hair loss and how to treat this. In addition, it also covers nutrient recommendations, hair-supportive recipes, natural treatments, product reviews an much more in this 100+ page ebook.
Your hair can grow again. Let’s reset it—naturally.