Medically reviewed by Dr. Irene Thuel, medical director · MED10355
Women · Hair loss
Hair loss in women: understand the cause to treat it
In women, hair loss is usually diffuse: less volume all over, a wider part or a thinner ponytail. Its causes are different from those in men and they often combine. At La Clínica del Pelo we examine your scalp with SmartHair and, when needed, with lab tests, to find the cause before recommending a treatment.
What you may notice
- More hair on the pillow, in the brush or in the shower.
- Your part looks wider than before.
- Your ponytail feels thinner.
- Under overhead light, more of your scalp shows.
The most common causes
- Female androgenetic alopecia: it has a hereditary and hormonal origin. Hair gradually becomes finer, especially on the top of the head, and the part widens.
- Shedding after a major change: giving birth, an illness, surgery, a very stressful period or a strict diet can trigger hair loss months later. It is usually temporary.
- Hormonal changes: in the thyroid, the ovaries or during menopause.
- Nutritional deficiencies: for example, iron.
- Hairstyles that pull on the hair: very tight ponytails, braids or extensions worn for a long time.
That is why lab tests are often an important part of the consultation for women. Dr. Thuel orders them when needed, interprets them and explains them to you.
How we approach it
We use the same six-step method with every patient. Dr. Irene Thuel decides what to use in each step, based on what she finds in your consultation:
- Understand why it is falling out: assessment with SmartHair, our exclusive hair assessment system, and lab tests or a genetic test if needed. This is the most important step.
- Slow the shedding: address what is causing it.
- Stimulate growth: help the hair you have grow stronger.
- Nourish and regenerate: in-clinic sessions such as mesotherapy and photobiostimulation, together with your exclusive compounded formulation for home.
- Consider a transplant, only if needed: in women it is considered in specific cases, when there is a defined area that can no longer recover and the hair loss is under control.
- Maintain the results: follow-up visits to sustain the result and adjust the plan when needed.
Every case is different. Your treatment plan or medical procedure is designed for you. Changes appear gradually and timing varies from person to person.
Your consultation
- It is done by Dr. Irene Thuel, code MED10355, by appointment at Centro Médico Nunciatura, San José, Costa Rica.
- We examine your scalp with SmartHair: density, thickness and affected areas.
- We explain the likely cause, your options and how we will measure progress.
- The consultation costs US$100, VAT included. The full amount is credited to your treatment or medical procedure if you pay for it and schedule it the same day or within the following seven calendar days.
Questions about hair loss in women
Is it normal to lose more hair after giving birth?
It is common. After giving birth many women notice more shedding for a while, and it is usually temporary. If it does not improve or you notice areas with less density, a consultation helps rule out other causes.
Can hair loss in women be treated?
Yes. Treatment depends on the cause, which is why we study it first. Many women are treated with non-surgical Hair Restoration, with in-clinic sessions and an exclusive compounded formulation for home.
Do I need lab tests?
Not always, but for women they often help a lot to find the cause. Dr. Thuel tells you which ones you need; the results are sent to her, and she interprets them and explains them to you.
How long until I see changes?
Usually, the first thing you notice is that hair loss slows down, and that tends to take a few months. Changes in density and thickness come later, over several months, because hair grows slowly. Everyone responds in their own way, depending on the cause of their hair loss and the treatment prescribed. During the consultation, Dr. Irene Thuel explains what to expect in your case and how we will measure progress at follow-up visits.