Hair Loss in Women: Causes and What Helps

Noticing more hair in the shower or a wider parting can be worrying. Hair loss in women is common, it has many possible causes, and many of them are temporary or treatable. This guide explains the most common causes, what happens during menopause and after pregnancy, what you can do yourself, and when to see a doctor.

Why women lose hair

Hormonal changes: pregnancy, the months after giving birth, stopping hormonal contraception and menopause can all change the hair cycle.
Iron, thyroid and other health causes: low iron, a vitamin D deficiency or a thyroid problem can cause shedding or thinning. A blood test can show this.
Stress and illness: after a stressful period, an illness or surgery, many hairs can enter the rest phase at once and fall out two to three months later. This is called telogen effluvium and is usually temporary. Read how to recognise hair loss from stress.
Genetics: female pattern hair loss runs in families and leads to gradual thinning, typically a wider parting while the front hairline stays in place.
Hair habits: tight hairstyles, heat and harsh products can strain the hair. See why tight hairstyles can lead to hair loss.
Season: many women shed more in late summer and autumn. Read why many women experience hair loss after summer.

Hair loss and menopause

During perimenopause and menopause the levels of oestrogen and progesterone fall. Many women notice thinner hair, a wider parting or slower growth, and the hair can feel drier. The change is gradual and often comes with other symptoms. A gentle routine and good nutrition can support your hair, and your GP can talk through the options, because medical treatments exist too.

Hair loss after pregnancy and during breastfeeding

During pregnancy, higher hormone levels keep more hairs in the growth phase. After the birth these levels drop and many of those hairs enter the rest phase together, so you shed a lot at once. This usually starts two to four months after the birth, and for most women it settles within about a year.

Our month-by-month timeline shows what to expect. If you are not sure it is normal shedding, read postpartum hair loss or something else. If the shedding is very heavy, goes on for more than a year or comes with extreme tiredness, ask your GP to check your iron and thyroid. This article explains when blood tests make sense.

Whether a product or supplement is suitable while you are breastfeeding is a question for your GP, midwife or pharmacist. Read breastfeeding and hair growth: what is safe and what should you avoid.

Thinning at the parting

Female pattern hair loss rarely gives a receding hairline or bald patches. Instead the parting gets wider, the ponytail gets thinner and more scalp shows through at the top. It happens gradually. Iron deficiency or thyroid problems can cause similar thinning, so see your GP if you notice it, to make sure you start with the right cause. Read what causes thinner hair.

What you can do yourself

Get the basics checked. If hair loss lasts, ask your GP for a blood test that includes iron (ferritin), vitamin D and thyroid function.
Eat enough protein, iron and zinc. Do not start supplements without knowing you are low, because too much of some of them can be harmful.
Be gentle with your hair. Use a soft brush, avoid tight styles and limit heat.
Care for your scalp. Wash with a mild shampoo and keep the scalp calm.
Look after your sleep and stress. Long periods of stress can trigger shedding.
Be patient. Hair needs months to respond. Take a photo of your parting in the same light once a month. For more ideas, see 10 habits that can support your hair growth.

A simple routine

The ZENLUCA routine has four steps and is for women and men: the shampoo three times per week, the conditioner after the shampoo, the serum every day and the roller once per week. The women's routine explains each step.

These products support the scalp and the hair. They are not a medical treatment and do not replace advice from a doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, ask your GP, midwife or pharmacist before you start a new product. You can see every ingredient on our ingredients page.

When to see a doctor

See your GP if you notice:

hair loss that is sudden or heavy
shedding that lasts more than a year after giving birth
round or patchy bald spots
a red, painful, itchy or scaly scalp
hair loss together with tiredness, weight changes or irregular periods
a parting that keeps getting wider

Your GP can check your iron levels and thyroid function and talk through the options.

Frequently asked questions

Is hair loss during menopause normal?

It is common. Falling hormone levels can make hair thinner and slower growing. If it worries you or comes with other symptoms, talk to your GP, because treatment options exist.

How long does hair loss after pregnancy last?

Shedding usually starts two to four months after the birth and settles for most women within about a year. If it lasts longer or is severe, ask your GP to check your iron and thyroid.

Can I use ZENLUCA while breastfeeding?

We cannot give medical advice. Ask your GP, midwife or pharmacist whether a product suits you while you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and show them the ingredient list on our ingredients page.

What is the difference between hair loss and thinning hair?

Hair loss means you shed more hairs than usual. Thinning means the hairs get finer or there are fewer of them. A wider parting points to thinning. Both can have the same causes, so a doctor can help you work out which one it is.

Which vitamins help against hair loss?

Vitamins only help if you are low. Iron, vitamin D and zinc are checked most often. Get a blood test first, because too much of some supplements can do harm.