Condition guide

Hair loss in women

Also known as Hair fall, Baal jhadna, Female pattern hair loss, Telogen effluvium, Hair thinning.

Fine glossy fibres in brown, ink and gold tones sweeping in a soft curve across a cream surface

In short

Losing some hair every day is normal, but noticeable shedding or thinning in women usually has a cause that can be found. Common reasons include sudden shedding after illness, stress, delivery or crash dieting, low iron or thyroid problems, PCOS, and gradual thinning along the parting known as female pattern hair loss. Many causes are treatable, and early assessment gives the best chance of keeping hair density.

Typical signs

More hair than usual on the pillow, comb or shower drain
A wider parting or more visible scalp
A thinner ponytail
Shedding that started 2 to 3 months after delivery, fever or stress

When to see a dermatologist

Shedding has lasted more than 3 months
You can see your scalp or your parting is widening
You have bald patches, scalp pain, redness or scaling
Hair loss comes with irregular periods, acne or excess facial hair
You feel tired all the time or have other signs of low iron or thyroid problems

Signs vary from person to person and several skin conditions look alike. Only an examination can confirm a diagnosis.

Terms to know

Alopecia: The medical word for hair loss. It covers many types with different causes, from genetic thinning to autoimmune patchy loss.
Telogen effluvium: Temporary, diffuse hair shedding that often starts two to three months after a trigger such as illness, fever, childbirth or major stress.
Androgenetic alopecia: Hereditary hair thinning influenced by hormones. In men it is called male pattern baldness and in women female pattern hair loss.
Hair follicle: The small pocket in the skin from which a hair grows. Oil glands open into it.
Minoxidil: A medicine that can slow hair loss and help regrowth in pattern hair loss, used as a solution or foam on the scalp and sometimes prescribed as tablets. It works only while it is used, and some shedding in the first weeks is common.
PRP: Platelet-rich plasma. A concentrate made from your own blood that is injected or applied to the scalp or skin, used for some types of hair loss and scarring.

Full glossary

3D Skin ExplorerSee where it starts: the hair follicleOpen the interactive model Research libraryGuidelines and studies on hair5 entries

Read the guides

Full, referenced articles on hair loss in women written for Indian skin, with answers to common questions.

Hair7 min read

Hair Fall in Women: Causes, Tests and Treatment in India

Hair fall in Indian women is usually shedding after illness, stress or childbirth, or slow thinning linked to genes, iron, thyroid or PCOS. How to tell which.

Updated 26 October 2026

Hair7 min read

Postpartum Hair Loss: Why It Happens and When It Stops

Heavy hair shedding a few months after delivery is common and temporary. Most women regain normal fullness by the baby's first birthday. Here is what helps.

Updated 26 October 2026

Hair8 min read

Minoxidil for Hair Loss: What to Know Before You Start

Minoxidil can slow pattern hair loss and regrow some hair, but it takes months, needs ongoing use and may cause early shedding. What to expect.

Updated 26 October 2026

Women's Skin9 min read

PCOS Skin and Hair Symptoms: A Complete Guide for Women

PCOS often shows on the skin first, as acne, facial hair, dark neck patches or thinning hair. Learn why it happens, what helps and when to get tested.

Updated 26 October 2026

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This page is a short summary for general education and does not replace a consultation with a qualified dermatologist. Do not start, stop or change any medicine based on this page. Read the full medical disclaimer.