Unlike male pattern hair loss, the main factor for female hair loss is hormonal imbalance. A woman, during her stage of the life cycle, will experience different hormonal changes. Childbirth for example, may cause a woman to lose her hair but this is usually temporary. Others such as stress, discontinuing birth control pills or hormonal therapy will also lead to some degree of female hair loss.

It may not be in the head area that hair may fall off. Other parts of your body may also have the same problem.

The affected area can help to diagnose the possible factor. For example, for stress alopecia, the loss might occur over other parts of the body and the loss over the scalp is general. A simple test is to run your fingers through your hair and if you find clubbed shafts, you are most likely to suffer this type of condition.

Women like to style their hair differently and go for chemical treatments such as re-bonding and dyeing.The chemicals used can cause the hair shaft to break off but this generally should only last once the chemical wears off.

Different styling may cause permanent damage to the hair shaft. Tying a ponytail too tightly or having a tightened braid may exert unnecessary pressure on the hair and cause it to fall off. Hence it is important not to tie your hair too tightly. You may also find the front area of your hairline receding when you tie the hair too tightly.

A medical condition known as alopecia areata which is usually hereditary may cause hair loss as the healthy hair follicles are attacked and weakened.

Understanding the causes will aid in seeking the right hair loss treatment.