Telogen Effluvium is the term for hair loss which is caused by stress, a poor diet, or thyroid problems. The resting stage of the hair growth cycle is referred to as telogen. Hairs can be prematurely forced into the telogen phase due to stress on the body or mind. Telogen effluvium can be either acute or chronic depending on the cause and the individual.
In women, trauma is a common cause of telogen effluvium. This trauma could be caused by a violent or sexual assault, the loss of a loved one or child, or another serious emotional or psychological trauma. Physical traumas can also cause hair loss in women. This includes serious illnesses and surgeries.
Diet and extreme weight loss can cause telogen effluvium to occur. Women who eat diets high in vitamin A are at a risk of experiencing hair loss due to the way in which the vitamin effects the body. Rapid or fluctuating weight loss can also trigger telogen effluvium.
Trauma related telogen effluvium is referred to as acute. Cases of acute telogen effluvium usually occur a few weeks to a few months after the experience of a trauma. The condition will usually resolve itself around a half year after the onset of hair loss and does not require any form of treatment.
Chronic telogen effluvium is caused by a stressful lifestyle, poor diet, or thyroid problem. A physician should be able to run a simple blood test to determine the cause of the hair loss. Once the trigger of the disorder is identified, women usually find that the problem clears up in six to eight months.
Hormones can also cause telogen effluvium to occur in women. These hormones could be related to pregnancy, menopause, or birth control medications. The body usually begins to shed the hair around three months after the hormonal change and will generally resume normal hair growth within the following three months.