Anyone can get permanent hair loss at any point in his or her lifetime. Alopecia areata, also known as “spot baldness” is common in men and women in varying degrees. Is it just age or heredity or are there other medical causes that might have triggered its onset?

As much as $3.5 billion is spent on permanent hair loss treatments This is how pandemic this condition is. Genetics or heredity is the top factor to blame for permanent hair loss. Hair loss does not just affect the scalp but also the rest of the body.

4 Medical Causes of Permanent Hair Loss – What is Beyond Normal?

Practically everyone sheds around 100 hair strands daily and 90% of your hair is continuously shedding and growing at around half-inch per month. This is part of a normal hair growth cycle and nothing to fuss about. However, when hair loss seems to be over the top, then this could signal hair loss.

Shedding of hair is normal but hair loss isn’t. There are different factors that contribute to permanent hair loss which include stress, hormonal issues, nutritional deficiencies, and the like. If you notice a receding hairline or thinning of hair then you have to get into the bottom of that. While some hair loss types are temporary, alopecia areata is permanent.

Heredity

This is the most common cause of permanent hair loss. Hereditary-pattern baldness is a medical condition is triggered by hormonal fluctuations, genetics, and aging.

Around 40% of men would have permanent hair loss which could begin even in their 20’s or 30’s. It’s called male pattern baldness in men and androgenetic alopecia in women which could occur during or after menopause. This can be inherited from both parents.

Thyroid Problems or Hormonal Imbalance

Any thyroid condition such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can trigger hair loss mainly because of hormonal imbalance. The body’s hormones regulate all bodily functions which include hair growth. Basically, if you are able to manage your thyroid condition then it would be easier to control hormonal changes and prevent or reverse hair loss.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Menopause

Using birth control pills or going through different women’s stages such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause or even undergoing hysterectomy can cause hormonal imbalances or wild shifts that can affect mood, behavior, and even trigger hair loss.

It’s normal to see hair thinning or minimal hair loss following childbirth. This could go on for about three months. Don’t fret because hair loss at this stage is only temporary.

Medications

There are a number of medications that could trigger hair loss. In fact, it’s one of the most common side effects of these medications. OTC drugs for depression, blood thinning, cancer, hypertension, NSAIDs and even oral contraceptive pills can also lead to hair loss.

Minoxidil and finasteride are the most common hair treatments for hair loss. Surgical techniques such as hair transplant, scalp reduction, and hair flaps would also be viable options for permanent hair loss.