Causes of Hair Loss

There are a number of factors that can contribute to hair loss in both men and women. Hair requires specific nutritional and hormonal conditions in which to properly thrive. This necessary balance can be affected by a number of factors. These factors include disease, malnutrition, hormonal imbalances, stressful lifestyles, and androgenetic alopecia, which is the most common cause of hair loss.

Androgenetic alopecia is a medical term that refers to a genetic predisposition for hair loss. Male hormones called androgens are a large factor in the disorder. There are three factors which lead to a diagnosis of androgenetic alopecia, these are: a genetic predisposition or family history of hair loss, the production of male hormones or androgens, and significant passage of time, which will allow the two factors to create the effects of balding.

All three of these factors must be present for androgenetic alopecia to be the cause of hair loss. Simply having a relative with baldness does not result in a diagnosis of this disorder. Having relatives who suffer from balding also does not mean that individuals are at a risk of hair loss. Additionally, having no relatives with hair loss does not mean that an individual should not or will not experience balding.

There are many causes of hair loss that are not necessarily genetic in nature. It is important to understand the potential causes of hair loss before pursuing a treatment option.