Is This Hormone Causing Your Hair Loss?

There are many external (and internal) factors that affect our hair. Did you know one common hormone could be silently triggering your hair loss?

If you have been losing more hair than usual and cannot pinpoint why, the answer may be hormonal. One of the most common — yet least discussed — culprits is dihydrotestosterone, or DHT.

DHT is a derivative of testosterone, present in both men and women. In sensitive individuals, DHT binds to hair follicles on the scalp and gradually shrinks them. Over time, follicles produce thinner, weaker strands until they stop producing hair altogether. This pattern, known as androgenic alopecia, is the leading cause of long-term hair thinning.

Other hormones contribute too. An underactive thyroid slows hair growth and increases shedding. Postpartum drops in oestrogen cause noticeable hair fall around three to four months after delivery. PCOS often triggers diffuse thinning at the crown.

What you can do: get a blood panel to check thyroid, iron, ferritin, Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 levels. Eat enough protein — hair is made of keratin, and deficient diets show on the scalp first. Use scalp massages with oils containing rosemary, bhringraj or pumpkin seed, all of which have been studied for DHT-related hair fall.

Hormonal hair loss is rarely solved overnight, but it is highly manageable when caught early. If shedding feels excessive or persistent for more than three months, speak with a dermatologist or trichologist for a tailored plan.