Hair loss can be caused by an imbalance in hormone levels. Cortisol is one of the hormones often identified with hair loss.
Both short-term and chronic stress, which trigger increased cortisol secretion, can promote hair loss. High cortisol levels reduce the synthesis and accelerate the breakdown of hyaluronic acid and proteoglycans in the scalp by about 40%. This deters the normal activity of hair follicles and can lead to hair loss.
Failure to properly manage stress may inhibit the long-term ability of the adrenal glands to produce a natural balance of hormones. This adrenal gland dysfunction may trigger a variety of serious side effects, including fatigue, weight loss, dizziness, nausea, and hair loss.
“Fortunately, if the hair loss is strictly due to the stress, complete recovery often occurs after several months to a year,” Haber says.
Telogen effluvium hair loss — the type of hair loss linked to stress — typically affects your scalp and may appear as patchy hair loss. However, it can also cause you to shed more body hair or notice less hair on your body than you normally would.
Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure. You may have more symptoms if you have untreated Addison's disease or damaged adrenal glands due to severe stress, such as from a car accident or an infection. These symptoms include sudden dizziness, vomiting, and even loss of consciousness.
Corticosteroid medicine is used to replace the hormones cortisol and aldosterone that your body no longer produces. It's usually taken in tablet form 2 or 3 times a day. A medicine called hydrocortisone is usually used to replace the cortisol.
Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands don't make enough of the hormone cortisol. The primary kind is known as Addison's disease. It is rare. It is when the adrenal glands don't make enough of the hormones cortisol and aldosterone.
As with male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness comes from hormone imbalances, specifically dihydrotestosterone imbalances, or DHT. This hormone is similar in structure to testosterone, but it is significantly more potent [3]. DHT can attach to receptors on the hair follicles, causing the follicles to shrink.
DHT: The hormone behind hair loss
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is made from testosterone by an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. It can also be made from DHEA, a hormone more common in women. DHT is found in skin, hair follicles, and the prostate.
DHT, a derivative of the male hormone testosterone, is the enemy of hair follicles on your head. Simply put, under certain conditions DHT wants those follicles dead. This simple action is at the root of many kinds of hair loss. Testosterone converts to DHT with the aid of the enzyme 5-alpha reductase.
Adrenal fatigue is the cause of many problems as it inhibits the proper production of hormones. As it causes a decreased production of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone, it can lead to severe hair loss in men and women.
Is stress-related hair loss permanent? If your hair loss is caused by stress, it's possible for your hair to grow back in time. The rate of regrowth will be different for everyone.
Remember magnesium will help lower cortisol, if you do not have adequate levels of magnesium your body cannot relax and remove excess cortisol. Start by taking some at diner and before bed.
Typically, the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis recovers after cessation of glucocorticoids, but the timing of recovery can be variable and can take anywhere from 6–12 months.
If your daily hair fall is more than the usual 80-100 strands of hair, you might be suffering from stress-related hair loss. If you notice bald patches on your scalp, it may be a sign of Alopecia Areata. If you have had the urge to pull out your hair, it may be stress-induced Trichotillomania.
Stress and Hair Loss: Potential Ways to Cope
Get regular exercise, which helps manage stress and its effects. Spend time with positive people — isolating yourself can make stress worse. Seek professional help from a therapist. Eat a healthy diet and take a multivitamin if your doctor recommends it.
Severe stress.
Prolonged periods of stress can result in telogen effluvium. Hair loss typically occurs about 3 months after the stressful event.
“Eating foods such as processed meats, high sugar foods, caffeine and alcohol, which provide little nutritional value, have been associated with more psychiatric symptoms and can increase cortisol levels—our primary hormone responsible for stress,” she said.
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is an androgen. An androgen is a sex hormone that contributes to the development of what are thought of as “male” sex characteristics, such as body hair. But it can also make you lose your hair faster and earlier.