Hair loss can be extremely embarrassing and concerning for both men and women.  However, in order to prevent or treat hair loss one needs to first understand what causes it.  There are many different causes of hair loss, each of which is defined as either temporary or permanent depending on the stage of life that the hair loss occurs.

Although certain illnesses and stress can cause occasional hair loss, typically this type of hair loss is temporary and not something to be over concerned about.  However, other medical conditions can cause hair loss that is semi-permanent.

For example, hormonal problems such as a thyroid gland that is underactive or overactive can cause hair loss and can be treated along with the treatment of thyroid disease.  Additionally, if men or women are low on either androgen or oestrogen this can cause hair loss, although this can usually be treated.

Pregnancy can also cause hair loss after labour, but after the body recovers from the pregnancy and hormones begin to return to normal the hair loss generally stops and hair begins to re-grow.

Hair loss can also be caused by certain medications, this can be improved if the medications can be avoided or changed.  This is a factor that a doctor should be consulted about first because the ramifications can be serious.  Medications that are known to cause hair loss in some include gout medications, blood thinners, heart medications, blood pressure meds, birth control, vitamin A, and antidepressants.

Outside of these medical reasons for hair loss, the most common type of hair loss occurs in regards to men and is known as androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness.  Men who face this problem inherit it from their fathers, with men who begin to lose their hair at an earlier age more likely to become completely bald later in life.

Women can also suffer from female pattern baldness but this condition is much rarer and involves hair thinning all over the scalp instead of complete balding.  Women also face baldness from certain hair treatments or hairstyles if worn or repeated excessively over time.

For example, cornrows and pigtails can cause hair loss known as traction alopecia to occur since hair can be pulled out leading to the scalp becoming scarred.  If you stop the intense pulling before the scar develops hair growth will return, but once scarring occurs hair loss may be permanent.

Other treatments that can cause scarring and subsequent hair loss include perms, hot oil treatments, and excessive dying over time.  These chemicals can cause the hair follicles to become inflamed which leads to eventual hair loss.

Most of the time hair loss is not attributed to poor health, but at times infection or disease can cause hair loss to occur.  Fungal infections can cause children to lose hair but is easily remedied.

However, occasionally hair loss may occur as a symptom of a disease such as diabetes or lupus so if you cannot trace the cause of your hair loss it is best to consult a doctor.