How Your Hormones Affect Your Hair Health

Your hair is a reflection of your inner biology. Good health is the foundation for thriving hair. When your body is in good overall health, it has the necessary resources to support hair growth and maintain scalp vitality. Unfortunately, underlying health issues, like hormonal imbalances, can manifest in your hair’s appearance and functionality. 

Hormones, which are chemical messengers in your body, help regulate various bodily functions, like hair growth. Hormonal imbalances can directly affect the hair growth cycle, leading to issues like hair loss, thinning, or changes in texture and appearance. 

The complex relationship between hormones and hair health is a topic of intrigue for trichologists and individuals who struggle with hormonal imbalances. Understanding how lifestyle, stress, and nutrition impact your hair can help you maintain optimal hair health and minimize the impact of hormonal fluctuations. 

That’s why I’m diving into the connection between your hormones and your hair health. 

Primary Hormones Impacting Hair Growth

The connection between hormones and hair is intricate, with genetics, diet, and environmental stress adding complexity to the mix. Hormones are super important in how your hair growth cycle flows, and the overall condition of your hair. They can affect the duration of the growth phase, the thickness of hair strands, and the timing of hair shedding. When certain hormones are imbalanced, the hair growth cycle is prematurely terminated and the falling-out stage is prolonged. 

It’s important to note that diet and other lifestyle factors also make a huge difference to your hair growth cycle—and your hormones. Many hormonal imbalances can be regulated with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle. 

Cortisol: The Stress Hormone

Stress is a known villain in the hair loss narrative because it raises your cortisol levels. Cortisol is a hormone released from the adrenal gland that regulates energy, immune function, sleep, and stress responses in the body. Chronic stress can disrupt the normal progression of the hair growth cycle, leading to irregularities in the timing and duration of each phase. 

Cortisol imbalances may result in hair thinning and loss, typically characterized by diffuse and patterned hair loss. In men, the thinning often targets the temples, frontal area, and crown, while women experience noticeable thinning around the temples, top of the head, and frontal area.

Elevated cortisol levels can also slow down the rate of hair growth, causing it to take longer to reach its desired length. People with high cortisol levels might observe dry, brittle hair that is more prone to breakage. 

Androgens, Particularly DHT 

Androgens are typically considered “male hormones,” but women have them too, just in smaller amounts. The most notorious androgen for hair is dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT can shorten the anagen phase and cause hair follicles to shrink. It can also prolong the telogen phase, where the hair falls out. Over time, this can lead to hair loss. Conditions like Female Pattern Hair Loss (FPHL), including androgenetic alopecia, suggest a link between androgens and genetic factors. 

With androgens, the key lies in inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which targets hair follicles. This enzyme converts the hormone testosterone into a more potent hormone, DHT. Reducing the activity of this enzyme reduces the production of DHT in the body and prevents its negative effects on hair follicles. 

Thyroid Hormones (T3 and T4)

The thyroid is a critical regulator of fair follicle growth. Disruptions in thyroid function, such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), can lead to hair issues. Hypothyroidism can cause hair thinning, reducing the thickness and volume of the hair. It can also slow down the rate of hair growth. Hyperthyroidism can affect hair texture. Hair may become finer and more fragile due to the increased metabolic activity. 

Interestingly, stress also exacerbates thyroid hormone imbalances, resulting in symptoms like fine, brittle hair, hair dryness, and hair loss in the top frontal area of the scalp. 

Estrogen

Estrogen is often called the “female hormone,” although both men and women have it. It plays a role in promoting hair growth by extending the anagen phase of the hair cycle for thicker, longer hair.  It also delays the transition to the telogen phase, reducing shedding. This hormone can make hair thicker and shinier by boosting hair fibers. Remarkably, your hair follicles have estrogen receptors, making them highly sensitive to this hormone. 

Low estrogen levels, like during menopause, can trigger telogen effluvium, a condition characterized by excessive hair shedding. Estrogen imbalances can also lead to hair thinning, particularly in postmenopausal women. As estrogen declines, hair strands become finer. 

Progesterone 

Like estrogen, progesterone is known as a “female hormone,” but men have small amounts of it, too. This hormone is most known for its role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, though it impacts sperm production and mood responses in men. Progesterone helps maintain hair in the growing (anagen) phase of the hair growth cycle. 

For women, when progesterone levels drop relative to estrogen levels, as can occur during the menstrual cycle or menopause, it may lead to hair follicles spending less time in the anagen phase. This results in thinner hair and increased hair shedding. For men, changes in progesterone affect other hormones like testosterone and DHT, which are known to impact male pattern baldness. 

Prolactin

Prolactin, primarily known for its role in lactation, can increase during stressful situations. Elevated prolactin levels, known as hyperprolactinemia, can potentially contribute to hair thinning and hair loss. High prolactin, often triggered by stress, can trigger telogen effluvium, causing a significant number of hair follicles to shift into the resting phase prematurely. This causes excessive hair loss and can result in noticeable thinning of the hair. 

Testosterone

Testosterone is a sex hormone produced in both men and women, although it is more abundant in men. Testosterone stimulates the development of hair follicles during the anagen phase. It can also be converted to DHT through the action of the 5-alpha reductase enzyme. As we know, DHT has a specific negative impact on the hair follicles of the scalp. 

High levels of testosterone, especially in women with conditions like PCOS, can lead to increased androgenic effects on the hair follicles, potentially causing hair thinning and excess facial or body hair. 

Insulin

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas and regulates blood sugar levels in the body. People with insulin resistance due to type 2 diabetes often experience chronic inflammation throughout the body, including their scalp. This can negatively affect the hair follicles. 

Fluctuations in blood sugar have also been linked to increased risk of male and female pattern baldness. High insulin levels can stimulate androgen hormones, such as testosterone, which can contribute to hair loss in people with genetic predispositions.  

A Note About Aging, Hormones, and Hair Health

Hair loss is a natural part of the aging process for many individuals. Growth hormone levels decline with age, contributing to age-related hair changes. The diameter of the hair will become smaller and the growth phase will shorten. The skin on the scalp becomes more sensitive and sun exposure could cause hair follicle damage. Plus, the mitochondria stop producing pigmentation, and the hair's malleability is not as strong. 

I know these changes in our hair can also affect us emotionally. Hair is deeply connected to our sense of identity and self-esteem. These shifts can sometimes make people feel frustrated or self-conscious. Thankfully, there are preventative measures to take to mitigate effects while managing your expectations of your changing body. It’s not about accepting these changes but getting the tools to support your hair as you age. 

What To Do If Your Hormones Are Impacting Your Hair Health

If you suspect a hormonal imbalance is affecting your hair, it is crucial to consult a healthcare professional who can diagnose and provide appropriate treatment. You could be lacking key vitamins and nutrients preventing you from keeping your hormones, and hair health, in check. 

Discovering the right vitamins for your unique needs is essential. Trichologists like me are trained to recommend various vitamins and therapies to combat hair loss and maintain scalp health.

For example, I see so many clients with vitamin D deficiencies. This deficiency is well-documented in cases of androgenetic alopecia, hair shedding, and other common scalp conditions. Vitamin D serves multiple functions, including immune support. Menopause, which brings changes in estrogen levels, can lead to a decline in vitamin D. I have prescribed this to clients who have seen great results. 

Saw palmetto is another supplement that could aid in your hair growth journey by suppressing the 5-alpha reductase enzyme and countering DHT’s impact on skin and hair. Science has proven how it can slow down hair thinning and promote hair growth. 

But it’s important that you don’t experiment with supplemental treatment without being under the guidance of a professional. By getting a thorough scalp analysis, you can uncover personalized, safe solutions to improve your hair and health. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment, and you don’t want to exacerbate your symptoms or risk experiencing side effects due to improper care and knowledge. 

Book a consultation with me to begin your hair renewal journey and get the support you need. I’m now booking in-person and virtual appointments. I look forward to taking this step with you.