“Why is my hair falling out?” is one question we ladies never want to ask ourselves (or anyone else for that matter). As if we didn’t have enough on our plate to deal with each and every day, losing hair is never a fun ordeal. The truth is we all experience our share of shedding from time-to-time—in fact, the average woman loses between 50 to 100 strands a day!

Hair loss is an integral part of my personal health journey and one of many reasons I wrote the Super Woman RX! After seeing more than 10,000 patients, many of who battle hair loss, I know what it takes to STOP hair loss dead in its tracks!

Unsure if you’re losing an abnormal amount of hair?

At-home Hair Test

A good way to test if you’re losing hair normally is to take a handful of about 60 hairs (I know it’s hard to judge the amount) and slightly tug as you run your fingers through. On any given attempt you should yield somewhere around 5 to 8 hairs. If you’re getting upwards of 20, that’s when you definitely know something’s off. And, if at any point you start noticing huge clumps coming out in the shower or more than usual letting loose when you brush or blow-dry your locks, this could be a sign of something more serious. 

Here are some key causes of hair loss that I’ve seen in my patients—and what you can begin to focus on to help grow it back.

#1 Thyroid Gland Condition

A good thyroid keeps us healthy and, more specifically, our hormones in check. When it’s out of balance, a whole slew of other health problems can come into focus. Hair loss is one common symptom of hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid, which an estimated 60 percent of all thyroid disease patients suffer from. So many women come to my practice and have already had their thyroid levels checked. They were told their levels are within the “normal” range. However, they’re still suffering from half the symptoms of hypothyroidism. While hair loss is one sign, others include fatigue and lethargy, unexplained weight gain, constipation, brittle nails and hair (or even hair loss), a puffy face, muscle aches and tenderness, sensitivity to cold, depression and even lapses in memory. I fully believe in finding the right levels for each individual. In the Super Woman RX, I talk about how to recognize if you have a thyroid condition – because some power types are more prone to thyroid issues. I’ve also included all the recipes you’ll need to help nourish this important gland.

#2 Stress

I notice more and more how stressed out to the max women are, and it’s one of the worst things for your health. Stress increases our body’s production of cortisol, the hormone that provides the body with glucose, and lead to skyrocketing blood sugar levels. It can also lead to excessive shedding of hair. When we’re stressed, inflammation occurs in our body, which can cause the hair follicle to shift from the growing stage to the resting stage. One way to reduce stress is to understand your body better and live based on your power type. Seems elementary, but finding the root of stress is one of the hardest things for women to wrap their minds around! Once you understand how and what stresses your body out (both physically and mentally), you can follow my 3-week plan for healing. Regardless of which power type you are, one treatment I like toprescribe for stress is essential oils like lavender, frankincense and bergamot. For some, adding essential oils to their daily routine is just what they need to help alleviate or take the edge off of their stress. I also love the adaptogenic herb ashwagandha. This herb is hugely popular in Ayurvedic medicine and really helps lower cortisol levels and is soothing to the adrenals and thyroid. I find women do so well on this herb and it promotes hormone balance all-around.

#3 Your Diet is Off

Maintaining a healthy diet is so important. I cannot stress it enough. Food has become such an integral part of medicine, which I talk a lot about in the Super Woman Rx. Digestion is so vital for healthy hair growth! Everyone has a different digestive health picture. That’s why eating for your “power type” and supplementing with the right enzymes and herbs helps to individual your plan for healing. For some women it’s a lack of iron and proper protein digestion, and for others it’s a lack of healthy fat and absorption. Not eating enough food is another big problem. Make sure your diet is full of brightly colored foods, lean proteins and healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids.

#4 Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

This condition is fairly common and actually becoming an epidemic. Currently, between 1 in 10 women (and 1 in 20 of childbearing age) has PCOS. The scary part is that researchers are still trying to figure out the exact cause. One symptom in particular is hair loss, among many others including unexplained weight gain, irregular periods, acne, infertility and hypoglycemia or insulin resistance. Many doctors will not diagnose this condition unless you’re having extreme symptoms or all of the criteria, but I’ve found some women are suffering from PCOS but it looks slightly different than the “standard” diagnosis. This is why understanding your body and power type is paramount to finding hormone balance and healing!

#5 Genetics + Meds

Don’t go blaming your mom just yet, but there are some hereditary patterns involved in balding—even for women. It’s harder to see that women are losing their hair than men, but it is common. If you’ve noticed that your mother or grandmothers struggled to keep thick hair in their adult or elderly life, chances are you will have the same issue. Of course your age plays a role here as well.  Also, certain medications, especially the prescription kind, are linked to hair thinning. Antidepressants, cholesterol-lowering meds, migraine drugs and certain acne medications like Accutane can be culprits for lost strands. If you think your medications may be to blame, talk to your doctor to find out it one or more may be playing a role.

What are you waiting for? Don’t wait too long – let’s get your hair, and most importantly your entire body back in balance! Now that you know your power type, you’re ready to get your 3-week custom plan! Checkout my book, the Super Woman RX and my upcoming online course “Upgrade Your Life with Your Power Type Plan!” I’ll teach you my secrets and what you need to stay healthy, vivacious and youthful! You’ll find lasting healing, stop hair loss, increase beauty from the inside out, experience weight loss and more. 

Don’t Know Your Power Type?
Take the Power Type Quiz HERE!