To think more women losing their hair these days?

[adrianmolesmole]

I know this is a weird question..!

I'm noticing it everywhere, small balding spots on tops of women's hair, or their crowns or partings, is this a covid thing or something? I've been experiencing hair loss myself so it could be me reading too much into things, being as paranoid as I am! Is it just me of us this actually happening?

It can be a side effect of the menopause in some women. I used to have extremely thick, curly hair - like pp I used to consider it a nuisance more than anything - but now I wish I could have it back. From my late 40s / early 50s it started thinning on the crown and it's quite noticeable.

Then I caught Covid last year and although I recovered, 4 months later my hair started coming out in handfuls. It has recovered a bit now, but when the light shines on my head and I look in a mirror I flinch because I can see my scalp.

I wonder if because of lockdown people didn’t maintain their haircuts and colour and let their natural hair colour grow out a bit. Maybe you’re seeing grey roots?

I’m certainly finding it difficult to get back the hairdressers. I’ve cancelled the last three appointments due to family illness/covid/isolation and my hair is not great!

I think poor diet has something to do with it. They don’t get the nutrition they need.

My hair comes out so much every time I brush or wash my hair and it seems to have really ramped up over the past year. But I do also have a bit of an issue with hair pulling. I don’t think I have noticeable bald patches yet, but my hair is definitely thinner than when I was a teenager (now in my early thirties). Even if I don’t pull hair out, I rake my hands through it obsessively to feel all the different hair textures and find the good ones. Doing that unintentionally pulls hairs out too. I wish I could stop but I just love it. I’m going to get my hair done for the first time in years (it’s crazily long right now) and hoping that having nice hair will mean I leave it alone. Probably not though. Tying it up helps more and the longer it is, the more frequently I tie it up. I’m definitely going to have bald patches as natural hair loss starts to occur with age if I can’t stop messing with it.

My hair thinned and at first I was told it's just one of those things. I've since found out I was very iron deficient and have coeliac disease which was (and still probably is) affecting my absorption of nutrients. If anyone has significant hair loss insist on some basic blood tests to rule out or pick up an underlying problem.

@VexedofVirginiaWater

It can be a side effect of the menopause in some women. I used to have extremely thick, curly hair - like pp I used to consider it a nuisance more than anything - but now I wish I could have it back. From my late 40s / early 50s it started thinning on the crown and it's quite noticeable.

Then I caught Covid last year and although I recovered, 4 months later my hair started coming out in handfuls. It has recovered a bit now, but when the light shines on my head and I look in a mirror I flinch because I can see my scalp.

Have you had a thyroid check? Viral infections can cause autoimmune thyroid disorders.

I've seen a couple of articles about hair loss after Covid, apparently the fever causes stop/starts in the growth, and other aspects of covid such as stress can also cause hair loss and disrupt hormones. Fun!

I panicked the other day, got home from the swimming baths and thought the chemicals in the water had made my hair fall out. 😱
Turns out I had forgotten to take my swimming cap off. 😂

I’ve been on HRT for 32 years now. My oestrogen levels are those of a young woman and my hair has thinned considerably.
I guess it is age related.

I always had thin straight hair but lots of the individual strands if that makes sense? Last year I had bariatric surgery and a common side effect is hair loss, I’ve lost tons of hair from my whole head and also have a visible balding patch at the front of my hair line in the middle, now it’s starting to grow back I have tons of baby hairs that stick straight up whatever I do. They’re so thin and whispy- like the extreme version of post partum hair loss/regrowth and you can see my scalp clearly through it still.
But yes I have noticed a lot of women with thinning hair, I think because I’m more self conscious of mine perhaps?

my hair has really thinned, I think due to autoimmune disorders

Mine has been thinning on and off since my late twenties. I'm not sure what causes it, but it's usually only temporary. I could have months of hair falling out everywhere, shower getting blocked, hairbrush full of hair etc., and then it stops. I got blood tests done but the doctor couldn't find a reason for it. I've always suspected it was hormonal though.

Interesting. I noticed for the first time a few months ago that I have a thinning patch at the front, fairly noticeable, where my parting would be.

I haven't used hair dyes or anything (ever). Assume either age or stress? (Pandemic, homeschooling and full time job had my on my knees)

o lost a lot of hair after having my son. I've been anaemic on and off for years which has contributed . I've recently had a baby and had very little hair fall out during the pregnancy and have kept up with my iron and vit d tablets since having my baby. I think it is hereditary in my family as my mum's started to thin in her 30s and now she is 55 it is very thin and doesn't appear to grow much at all, my auntie's all have the same issue.

I'm 35 and am trying to lose weight and keep my diet in check to slow it down.

I think stress also pays a part. More women than ever are balancing working with taking care of a family and often end up putting themselves last.

I shed more than the dog! But I've always had a very thick head of hair so it's fine. I was pleased tbh when it thinned during pregnancy as it was so thick (I'm now 38).

I haven't noticed other people's hair thinning but I think it probably is a thing given how much more people dye their hair, straighten etc.

Both me and my friend early thirties have recently had covid and have noticed clumps of hair falling out. I'm rather fortunated that I have thick hair but she has little patches missing. I believe it is related to Covid. I actually want to start a thread as I've noticed quite a few other changes since having covid which I never had before.

I don't know if anyone has mentioned this, but thinning hair can be a symptom of thyroid problems. And the good news is that it grows back if you take the right dose of thyroid medicine

I don’t think there’s any evidence to suggest it’s happening more or less than in the past.

My hair was thinning obviously, until I was diagnosed with coeliac disease. When I gave up gluten it seemed to stop thinning- it’s not regrown, but doesn’t seem to be falling out at the rate it was. Thank goodness. Hope it lasts.

@Annonnimoouse42 - same here.

Mines just starting to grow back after lots of it fell out during a very stressful year. I look like I’ve got a frizz halo…

I've been putting it down to hormonal changes as I age too. I used to need really big hair clips ordered online from a specialist supplier because the biggest ones in highstreet shops were too small and couldn't fasten around the amount of hair in a bunch. Now I only need a little clip and the big ones are useless as far too big.

@VestaTilley ☹️
the monthly migraine injections I have don't help either

I started losing my hair after my first pregnancy 17 years ago. It’s never stopped falling out but it seems to grow at almost the same rate so my thinning isn’t very bad but is more noticeable if I part it in the middle.
When I brush my hair the hair brush gets so clogged and I need to clean the brush out at least 3 times when drying after a shower. If I take a bath there is hair absolutely every where! I do tend to notice other women’s hair more now because I’m looking to see if it’s just me balding so young (under 40) it’s so depressing. But there are women worse off than me at my age so I try not to dwell if I can help it.

I'm afraid I have and have always had the opposite problem - massive thick unruly hair.