Hair Loss in Women - Editor's Choice

Around middle age my hairline started receding...A LOT! The entire shape of my face seemed to change since my forehead looked a lot bigger. It was disturbing and made me feel bad about my appearance--especially since I used to have quite a lot of hair. In recent years I developed many health problems, notably chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia (one or the other). So I have focused a lot on my health over the years. I gave up alcohol, started drinking lemon water every morning, etc. But still, there was the hair loss (which I have read can be associated with fibromyalgia) and hairline recession.

Then I read a little tidbit on some random website. EUREKA! It said RETINOIDS can be associated with hair loss. This was a light-bulb moment, because it coincided exactly with when I started losing so much hair. Right then and there I stopped using the topical retinoid that I had started years earlier (Differin). After several months my hair loss stopped and my hairline has filled back in. In the interest of full disclosure,

I also use a number of hair oils on my scalp that are supposed to be good for hair growth (I "oil my hair" before washing using oil blends like black seed oil, castor oil, argan oil, curry leaf infusions, etc.).

These are very good for your hair and can help reverse gray hair. There are lots of videos and diys about this online. I do recommend scalp and hair oiling for the health and appearance of your hair. But it was stopping the retinoid product that made ALL the difference for me!

I am a female, 37 years old. A couple years ago I began losing my hair. I was constantly pulling strands off of my clothes throughout the day and there was wads of more hair coming out whenever I showered. I tried different shampoos advertised for hair loss and they seemed to help a bit but the hair loss would start up again if stopped the shampoo.

Finally I went to my doctor and told him to test me for several vitamins and minerals. My zinc was significantly low (in the 40s), even though I ate meat. For some reason my body was not absorbing zinc through foods. I began supplementing with zinc sulfate and within a few days the hair loss stopped. I retested my levels a couple months later and it had gone up to 72 (optimal levels is about 90). My hair no longer falls out and the bald patches I was starting to get before have filled in. If you are losing your hair it is most likely a deficiency, like iron or zinc. Get tested.

Hi, I just have an observation to add to the discussion of hair loss and thyroid. Years ago when we moved from the West coast to the Midwest, we couldn't help but notice it was quite common to see women who were at least partially bald. Iowa is one of those states that used to be referred to as "the goiter belt". Was there a connection?

As an aside, another thing we noticed was that several vegetables weren't popular there. How did we ascertain this? In the grocery store check-out line, we were always having to tell the cashier what the vegetables were called. It was a bit comical, and it has been explained to us that the families of the state share a very strong work ethic and value the ability to put a quick meal on the family table above fine tuning the ingredients.

In my case, probably because they were so well priced, I started cooking with a lot more cruciferous vegetables than we had been used to and I developed visible thyroid nodules. Tests indicated my condition required monitoring and no treatment. I'm glad of that because it caused me to go digging for my own thyroid answers here on EC. I took Bill Thompson's advice and began taking all of the recommended companion nutrients for iodine supplimentation and used Loguls iodine. I also cut way back on cruciferous vegetables. Alas, I never liked the way the iodine made me feel, so I tried cutting out the Loguls, but continuing the companion nutrients, with great success. I might add that I use iodized salt faithfully in the kitchen and pink Himalayan salt at table. For anyone with a thyroid issue, I would recommend those companion nutrients and salts. You may find, as I believe I have, that all the needed iodine can then be absorbed through a good diet without iodine supplementation. When I go a few weeks without taking those vitamins, I find a bit of anxiety creeps in and that if I go long enough, I see the familiar lump of an enlarged nodule. This episode took a few years of experimenting to play out, and today I am back to enjoying fresh cole slaw and making our own sauerkraut. My nodules appear to have resolved completely, and I owe it to the companion nutrients that are well discussed on this site.

Back to the original topic, my vote is that thyroid and hair loss are indeed related, even if testing indicates a level within a normal range. Best wishes to all in finding your answers.

I suddenly started loosing gobs of my hair. I went to earth clinic and started down the list of remedies, one after the other. Nothing worked! I then got to Castor Oil. I didn't feel hopeful since there were only 2 testimonials. I took castor oil and put it on my fingertips and pulled it up my scalp from every edge to the top of my head. In the meantime I suddenly had several emergencies to deal with and didn't get to wash my hair for about 7 hours. When I finally washed my hair I noticed it felt thick and looked really shiny. The best thing was not one hair fell out. It stopped my hair-loss in its tracks. I couldn't believe it since I had been loosing my hair for more than 5 months. So every time before I would wash my hair I would once again spread castor oil on my scalp sometimes as little as 20 minutes before washing and I have had consistent results. No hair-loss!!!! I don't wrap my hair for this to work. I do shampoo twice.

Also I notice my new hair growth is about 2 inches long on my forehead and it looks like I have purposely given myself bangs. Just put it on usually 20 minutes before washing my hair. Hope this helps!!! So happy to share this with Earth Clinic since everyones posts have helped me so much over the years!

P.S. I love Castor Oil. It also helps my former insomnia. Will post my insomnia method now in insomnia section.

I have been losing my hair since my teens, and that's about 20 years ago. Instead of doing one remedy, you really need a 4 step synergistic approach. For reference, I am 36, have a great head of hair, normal to oily skin and scalp. Here is the synergistic combination that worked for me. No one thing is going to work for you 100%, you have to use a combination to fight all the toxins you are facing daily.

I call this the 4 step FILTER - DHT - GROW - MASSAGE method.

1.) First you need to get rid of toxins that's inhibiting your hair follicles and hair growth. Surprise...where does that come from? Your daily shower water. Chlorine and lead pipes both kills follicles. I lived in a place with lead pipes and my hair loss went 50% worse. Once I moved out, and installed a shower filter that gets rid of chlorine (plus some other substances), my hair loss significantly decreased. I bet a whole house system that gets rid of fluoride would be even better, but I can't afford that, so a shower filter does the job.

2.) The second step is killing the DHT hormone on your scalp and your body. DHT is the primary hormone responsible for hair shredding. You do this by supplementing with Saw Palmetto Extract. This is a naturally safe method. The one side effect is that it makes you gain 5 lbs. So you need to clean up your diet and exercise routine to make up for that, in order to look the same weight. If I ever get off the Saw Palmetto, my hair loss increases. Once I get on again, it remains stable.

3.) Next you need to focus on growth. To do so, you need a high quality hair supplement. Do your research there, there are tons on the market. Make sure it has Biotin, Vitamin C, Magnesium, Silica, etc. Your body needs all the help it can get to regrow hair.

4.) The fourth step is primary for oily scalps. Although it may also help a dry scalp with a different solution. The reason you need to brush your scalp is because for most women, shampoo isn't helping your scalp. You are just washing hair strands. Its your scalp that needs help. I make a solution of caster oil, a bit of alcohol and some castile soap in one of those tooth shaped plastic bottles used for dying hair (you can get them at a beauty supply store). Apply the solution into my scalp, then brush my scalp with a medium to hard hair brush. Preferably one with hard, pointy plastic bristles, the real hair bristles wont get to your scalp. Important you are cleaning and exfoliating your scalp. There will be a lot of oily substances on the hair brush and you. What comes out of it is a cleaner scalp with less oil, allowing hair to grow stronger. I do this for about 15 - 20 minutes, sometimes, 30 minutes. Do this massage once a week to keep your scalp in optimum condition.

If you apply the synergistic approach of Filter - DHT - Grow - Massage, your hair loss will significantly decrease. This approach was much better than any rogaine or prescription product I have ever found. I am still doing it 10 years later.

I suffered Alopecia for many years - had steriod injections, tried an indian herbal remedy which worked for a while but eventually I lost ALL my hair on my body. It was great not to have to shave my legs but totally depressing. I ended up wearing a scarf for a about a year before a wig which at least made me feel like a woman again. I lost all my eyebrows as well and had to use a thin paintbrush to apply make-up strokes. I had used carrot juice in the past for other things and when my sister experienced bad skin she started chinese medicine and carrot juice. Her hair grew back (she had alopeica too) and at first we thought it was the chinese remedy but then I started drinking it daily (ABOUT 8 oz a day) in large glass. I juiced it fresh and sometimes made more and stored it in fridge. About 3 months later I noticed my eyebrows coming back. Then the hair on my legs started growing and then the hair on my head.

I now have hair all over my head (with just one or two patches) and it is growing thicker and thicker all the time. It has taken me about a year to get this far and although thicker I still have a way to go before being able to walk around without a scarf or wig as it's thin in places where it hasn't fully grown in yet.

I use a Champion juicer but my sister just used a normal centrifugal one that she bought in a superstore for about $40.00

When I get lazy I buy fresh carrot juice from the health shop where they make it fresh while you wait.

Initially I added one apple to the mix and sometimes a small chunk of beetroot and sometime some spiriluna powder but I got a bit worried it was too sweet and now just have carrot juice (occasionally I add beetroot or spiriluna to break up the boredom).

But I am sure just plain carrot would be enough.

If I eat a lot of sugar, bits start to fall again so I stop eating so much and keep up the carrot juice. If I go too long without carrot I think it would also start to fall again. So I drink it daily.

Hope this helps you!! I suffered for about 12 years off and on.