Have you noticed more hair than usual in your brush, on your pillow, or in the shower drain lately?
You’re not alone — and you’re not imagining things.

Hair loss (also called "hair shedding" when it’s temporary) can feel devastating. It can impact your self-esteem, your confidence, even your sense of identity. But the good news is: hair loss almost always has a cause — and with the right approach, it often has a solution.

Today, let’s walk through the real reasons hair loss happens (spoiler: it's not just aging!) — and most importantly, what you can do about it.

First Things First: Some Hair Shedding is Normal

Before we get too deep, know this:
It’s completely normal to shed about 50–100 hairs per day.
That’s just part of the natural hair growth cycle:

Growing phase (anagen)
Transition phase (catagen)
Resting/shedding phase (telogen)

At any given time, different hairs are in different stages of this cycle.
But when you notice more shedding, or your hair feels thinner, less full, or your part is widening, it’s a sign to pay closer attention.

6 Common (But Often Overlooked) Causes of Hair Loss

1. Hormonal Changes

Hormones are one of the biggest drivers of hair health — and when they shift, your hair notices.

Menopause & Perimenopause:
Estrogen and progesterone (the “hair-friendly” hormones) decline, while androgens (like testosterone) can rise. This shift can cause the hair to thin, especially around the crown and part line.
Postpartum Hair Loss:
After giving birth, estrogen levels plummet. The result? A sudden shedding (called telogen effluvium) about 3–6 months postpartum.
Thyroid Disorders:
Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause diffuse hair loss.
Birth Control Changes:
Starting, stopping, or switching birth control pills can also shock your hair cycle into a shedding phase.

2. Stress (Physical, Emotional, or Environmental)

Stress isn’t just a mental burden — your body feels it too.

Emotional Stress:
Grief, anxiety, major life changes, or trauma can all trigger hair loss.
Physical Stress:
Illnesses (especially COVID-19), surgery, rapid weight loss, and even high fevers can push more hairs into the shedding phase prematurely.

This stress-related shedding (again called telogen effluvium) usually shows up 2–3 months after the stressful event, which can make it hard to connect the dots.

3. Nutritional Deficiencies

Your hair needs fuel to grow — and certain nutrients are absolutely essential.

Iron deficiency (even without anemia) is one of the most common causes of hair loss, especially in women.
Protein deficiency can slow down hair production.
Vitamin D, zinc, biotin, and collagen all play key roles in healthy follicles.

If your diet has been restricted, unbalanced, or if you’ve had gut issues that impair absorption, your hair might suffer first.

4. Medications and Medical Conditions

Certain medications can list hair loss as a side effect:

Blood pressure meds
Antidepressants
Hormone therapies
Chemotherapy (and surprisingly, even non-chemo meds can thin hair)

Autoimmune diseases (like lupus or alopecia areata), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and even diabetes can also lead to noticeable shedding.

5. Weight Loss Medications: Semaglutide, Wegovy, Zepbound

One newer — but increasingly common — cause of hair loss is the use of GLP-1 medications like:

Wegovy (semaglutide)
Ozempic (semaglutide)
Zepbound (tirzepatide)
Mounjaro (tirzepatide)

These medications are highly effective for weight loss, but many people experience increased hair shedding during rapid weight loss phases.

Why it happens:

Rapid weight loss can shock the hair cycle into the resting/shedding phase (telogen effluvium).
Reduced nutrient intake — even unintentionally — can deprive follicles of key nutrients.
Physical stress on the body from fast changes can trigger a temporary hair loss response.

Important to know:
This type of hair loss is often temporary and usually stabilizes within 6 to 12 months, especially with early intervention and proper support.

6. Styling Damage & Lifestyle Factors

Sometimes it’s not internal — it’s external.

Excessive heat styling (curling irons, flat irons, blow dryers) without protection
Chemical processing (bleach, perms, straighteners)
Tight hairstyles (ponytails, buns, braids) causing tension (traction alopecia)
Poor scalp health (buildup, inflammation, dandruff)

These external stresses can weaken hair strands and damage follicles over time, leading to breakage and true hair loss if not corrected.

What You Can Do About Hair Loss

The earlier you address hair loss, the better your chances for recovery.
Here’s a multi-step strategy you can start today:

1. Get Curious (and Get Bloodwork)

It’s crucial to uncover why your hair is falling out.
I always recommend speaking with your Primary Care or OBGYN. Mention your concerns and request a full panel, including:

Iron (Ferritin)
Thyroid levels (TSH, T3, T4)
Vitamin D
Hormone levels if menopausal or post-partum

Testing gives you a map to guide your hair recovery plan and get to the bottom of why.

2. Detox and Nourish Your Scalp

Your scalp is the soil your hair grows from.
If it’s clogged with buildup or inflammation, hair growth suffers.

💆‍♀️ Scalp detox treatments (like exfoliating scrubs, clarifying treatments, or professional scalp facials) clear away buildup and revive follicles.
Think of it like hitting the “reset” button on your scalp!

3. Strengthen What You’ve Got

Help your existing strands stay stronger, longer:

Deep conditioning masks
Bond-building treatments (Olaplex, K18, or others)
Leave-in heat protectants when styling

Treat your hair like delicate silk, not rope!

4. Support From Within

Adding the right supplements in addition to a healthier diet can make a huge difference:

Biotin (Vitamin B7) for keratin production
Iron (if low) for oxygenating hair follicles
Collagen for stronger hair structure
Vitamin D and Zinc for follicle health

Always check with a healthcare provider before starting a new supplement routine — but these can be game-changers!

5. Protect Your Energy

Chronic stress doesn’t just make life harder — it literally shows up in your hair.
Prioritize activities that lower your stress hormones:

Yoga
Meditation
Journaling
Regular exercise (even walking!)
Saying “no” more often!

Healing your nervous system helps heal your hair, too.

The Bottom Line

Hair loss can feel scary.
It can feel frustrating, embarrassing, overwhelming.

But you are not powerless.
Understanding the why behind your hair loss is the first step toward reclaiming healthier, stronger, more confident hair.

Whether it’s adjusting your routine, nourishing your body, or investing in professional treatments, every little action adds up.

✨ If you're ready to start your hair recovery journey, book a consultation with me today — let’s create a personalized plan that helps you feel your most radiant, inside and out.
Book your consult HERE

Your hair — and your spirit — deserve it.

Why Your Hair Might Be Falling Out — And What You Can Do About It