Losing it…
Is Your Hair Falling Out?
Understanding the Causes & How to Regrow Naturally
Hair loss can feel overwhelming and emotional, but the causes (and solutions) are often connected to hormones, nutrition, lifestyle, or genetics. The good news? Once you understand what’s happening inside your body, you can take steps to restore balance and support natural regrowth.
My Hair Loss Story
When I was in high school, I noticed my hair thinning more than usual. At first, I chalked it up to stress, but the shedding didn’t stop. My ponytail got smaller, and I started seeing more hair in my brush and shower drain. After testing, I learned the culprit was a hormone imbalance. My estrogen and progesterone were low, and my body was in stress mode—two major contributors to hair loss.
It was devastating to feel like I was losing such a big part of my identity, but it pushed me to dive into research and holistic practices that helped me restore my hair. Now I want to share what I learned so you don’t have to go through the same thing alone.
🧬 The Science Behind Hair Loss
Hair grows in a natural cycle of three phases:
Anagen (growth phase): Lasts 3–7 years, when hair actively grows.
Catagen (transition phase): A short resting stage.
Telogen (shedding phase): Old hairs fall to make room for new growth.
When stress, hormones, or illness disrupt this cycle, more hairs shift into the shedding phase, leading to noticeable thinning.
Why Stress Matters
Chronic stress increases cortisol, which disrupts follicle activity and pushes hair into telogen effluvium (shedding). Stress also restricts blood flow to the scalp, weakening follicles over time【Malkud, 2015†source】.
Hormones and Hair
Women: Drops in estrogen/progesterone (postpartum, menopause, PCOS, birth control changes) or thyroid imbalances can cause thinning.
Men: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a byproduct of testosterone, shrinks follicles and drives male pattern baldness【Messenger & Sinclair, 2006†source】.
Other Contributing Factors
Nutrient Deficiencies: Low iron, zinc, vitamin D, biotin, or protein weaken strands【Almohanna et al., 2019†source】.
Scalp Health: Build-up, dandruff, fungal overgrowth, or inflammation suffocate follicles.
Medical Conditions: Autoimmune disease, diabetes, and medications like chemotherapy or long-term antivirals.
Genetics & Environment: Family history, chemical-laden products, hard water, and heat styling all play a role.
🌱 Natural Ways to Support Hair Regrowth
While not every type of hair loss can be completely reversed, many cases improve significantly with the right approach:
1. Balance Hormones
Women: Seed cycling, adaptogens (ashwagandha, maca), and stress management.
Men: Natural DHT blockers like saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, or nettle root.
Both: Get thyroid and hormone panels checked if hair loss is persistent.
2. Improve Nutrition
Minerals: Zinc, iron, selenium, magnesium, silica.
Vitamins: D3, B12, folate, and biotin.
Protein: At least 0.8–1g per pound of body weight—hair is 95% protein (keratin).
Hydration is key: dehydration = brittle strands.
3. Reduce Stress
Breathwork, meditation, journaling, and gentle exercise help lower cortisol.
Prioritize sleep, when repair and growth hormone release happen.
4. Care for the Scalp
Use sulfate-free shampoos.
Massage with rosemary, peppermint, or castor oil to stimulate circulation.
Exfoliate weekly to remove buildup and encourage healthy follicles.
5. Professional Options
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma): Uses your plasma to stimulate follicles.
Redlight Therapy: penetrates the scalp to energize hair follicles, increase blood flow and oxygen delivery, and promote cellular activity.
Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT): Helps reactivate dormant follicles.
Minoxidil/Finasteride: Conventional meds (with possible side effects).
Hair Transplants: A last resort for advanced genetic cases.
Men’s hair loss: Mostly linked to DHT and genetics.
Women’s hair loss: More often due to hormone changes and nutrient gaps.
For both: The foundations of regrowth are the same—balance hormones, restore nutrients, reduce stress, and nurture the scalp.
Your hair is more resilient than you think. With the right care, it can return stronger, shinier, and healthier.
Check out my other blog posts about hair growth for more tips on best practices and nutrition.
Works Cited
Almohanna, H. M., Ahmed, A. A., Tsatalis, J. P., & Tosti, A. (2019). The role of vitamins and minerals in hair loss: A review. Dermatology and Therapy, 9(1), 51–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13555-018-0278-6
Malkud, S. (2015). Telogen effluvium: A review. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research, 9(9), WE01–WE03. https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2015/15219.6490
Messenger, A. G., & Sinclair, R. D. (2006). Follicular miniaturization in female pattern hair loss: Clinicopathological correlations. British Journal of Dermatology, 155(5), 926–930. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.2006.07415.x
Trüeb, R. M. (2009). Oxidative stress in ageing of hair. International Journal of Trichology, 1(1), 6–14. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-7753.51923
Gupta, A. K., & Charrette, A. (2015). The efficacy and safety of saw palmetto in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 19(4), 373–381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1203475415581951
