Hair Loss in Women: Causes and Solutions

Hair loss, or alopecia, is a prevalent condition that affects hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. Fewer than 45% of women go through life with a full head of hair. ⁽¹⁾ It has many causes and can present as a widening part, receding hairline, gradual thinning, or a loss of hair density overall, leading many patients to become discontent or dissatisfied with their appearances. Fortunately, there are several non-surgical solutions to addressing these concerns.

True You Medical Aesthetic is a premier medical spa located in San Jose, California. Our team has helped countless patients revitalize their appearance, allowing them to achieve refreshed, natural-looking results without compromising their comfort.

We invite you to contact us online or call (408) 223-8818 to start working with our team.

About Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss in women is a complicated condition that can appear at any stage of their life. While it is normal to shed up to 150 hairs a day, increased shedding or thinning can be a sign of an underlying change or condition that may require further intervention to properly address.

What Contributes to Hair Loss

Several factors contribute to hair loss, with the primary two being genetics and hormonal fluctuations. However, hair loss may also be exacerbated with feelings of stress, medical conditions, as a side effect of certain medications, and nutritional deficiencies. During your consultation, your specialist can help you determine the root cause of your hair loss.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia, also known as female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), is a highly prevalent condition that can impact your appearance and quality of life. This treatment consists of a decrease in hair density and the miniaturization of hair follicles, leading to thinning and shedding, a widening part, a receding hairline, diffusion at the crown of the head, and more. Most patients are genetically predisposed to this condition, but it may also be caused by natural aging factors and the influence of androgens, specifically dihydrotestosterone (DHT). In patients with FPHL, a naturally occurring enzyme called 5-alpha-reductase converts testosterone into DHT. This then binds the androgen receptors to your hairs, which then affects the follicles and suppresses essential pathways needed for new growth. ⁽²⁾

Hormonal Changes

Women undergo many hormonal shifts throughout their lives, one of the biggest being menopause. This is the natural and permanent cessation of menstrual cycles resulting from declining ovarian function and estrogen deficiency. This shift can lead to a number of different symptoms, including disruptions in the hair cycle and the development of hair loss.

During pregnancy and in premenopausal women, the heightened estrogen levels in the body signal the hair follicles to remain in the anagen phase (growth phase) of the hair cycle for longer periods of time. As this estrogen declines, many women experience finer growth and increased shedding.

Research shows that the decline of estrogen during menopause can lead to the shrinking of blood vessels, reducing the blood supply to the hair follicles. This can limit the nutrients and oxygen flow to the area, slowing the growth of the hairs. ⁽³⁾

Medications

Medications that can cause hair loss include chemotherapy, certain types of birth control, antidepressants, and more. These medications disrupt the hair cycle by causing the hair to shed, or for new growth to occur more slowly. Patients experiencing this type of hair loss can often see improvements after discontinuing their medications, if it is safe for them to do so.

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune disorders, inflammatory conditions, prolonged infections, or certain illnesses, can affect your natural hair growth. Many of these concerns can damage your hair follicles or affect your natural hair cycle, leading to a gradual loss of hair.

Nutritional Deficiencies

The balance of your diet can directly influence the structure and growth of your hair. Several nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair loss, including:

While many of the foods you eat every day contain these ingredients, it is important to understand how much of each you are consuming to support your hair’s health and avoid the development of brittleness or breakage.

Available Hair Loss Solutions for Women

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a treatment that uses the body’s natural regenerative properties to restore the density and thickness of the hair. PRP is a concentrated solution of platelet-rich plasma than that found in peripheral blood, and it contains several types of growth factors and proteins that can regenerate tissue and heal wounds. ⁽⁵⁾ It is collected from a sample of your whole blood and processed through a centrifuge before being injected into the regions of your scalp experiencing signs of hair loss.

PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factors)

Ariessence Pure PDGF+™ (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor) is an innovative treatment that uses naturally occurring proteins and growth factors to stimulate dormant hair follicles and slow the signs of hair loss. This treatment consists of your specialists injecting or topically applying the PDGF+ solution, allowing it to soak directly into the scalp to reach the hair follicles. With it, you can restore stronger, thicker, and healthier hair growth.

Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy

Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is a treatment that can address hormonal imbalances and deficiencies by using hormones that are chemically identical to those found in the body. ⁽⁶⁾ We customize the type of hormones you receive, as well as the administration route, and offer estrogen, testosterone, estrogen blockers, or a combination of two as either a plant-based pellet or an intramuscular injection.

Ideal Candidates

You may be an ideal candidate for one of our hair restoration treatments if you have noticed an increased amount of thinning or shedding, a widening part, a receding hairline, balding near your crown, or other signs of hair loss.

Anyone interested in undergoing one of our treatments should be in good general health without any underlying medical conditions that may affect their recovery or results. It is also important to establish realistic expectations and goals. Our team of hair restoration specialists will assess your candidacy during your personal consultation.

Personal Consultation

The personal consultation is your first step to restoring the natural appearance of your hair. During this visit, your hair restoration specialist will converse with you one-on-one to finalize your candidacy and determine which hair restoration treatment is best for you. They will review your medical history, including any previous treatments you underwent, your current medication intake, any sensitivities or allergies you possess, and more. They will ask about your specific concerns and goals. They will also perform a physical examination to assess the condition and health of your scalp.

Using this information, your hair restoration specialist will determine the root cause of your hair loss and start creating your treatment plan. They will decide which course of action will help you achieve your goals, and they will tailor it accordingly. They will also answer any questions you may have, as we want our patients to feel confident and well-informed ahead of their treatment.

If you are ready to schedule this meeting, please contact us online or call (408) 223-8818 to reach our San Jose office.

Preparation

Once you have scheduled your treatment, your hair restoration specialist will provide you with a detailed set of instructions. These will vary depending on the exact procedure you undergo, but they generally include:

Recovery

Your recovery process will depend on the type of treatment you undergo, but you can expect it to be fairly minimal.

You may initially experience some redness or swelling around any injection or incision sites, but these effects will subside on their own with time. We recommend managing this using a cold compress and over-the-counter medications. You may also be instructed to refrain from using harsh skincare products or engaging in any strenuous tasks or activities for 24 to 48 hours. Your specialist will provide you with further instructions when meeting with you in-person.

Results

You will be able to enjoy the full results of your hair loss treatment after several weeks to months, once your body has started acclimating to the effects of either your PRP, PGDF+, or BHRT. While the exact effects you experience will vary, you can expect to enjoy newer, thicker, and denser hair growth around areas that were previously experiencing thinning, shedding, and other signs of hair loss.

Cost of Hair Restoration Treatments in San Jose, California

The pricing of your hair restoration treatment will vary depending on each of its details. These include the type of treatment you undergo, the number of treatment sessions you undergo, and whether your hair restoration specialists combine your treatment with another. Once your specialist has established your treatment plan, they will provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.

FAQ

References

1. Dinh QQ, Sinclair R. Female pattern hair loss: Current treatment concepts. Clinical Interventions in Aging. 2007;2(2):189. Accessed August 3, 2026. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2684510/
2. Ho CH, Zito PM. Androgenetic Alopecia. StatPearls Publishing; 2019. Accessed July 31, 2026. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430924/
3. Gupta AK, Economopoulos V, Mann A, Wang T, Mirmirani P. Menopause and hair loss in women: Exploring the hormonal transition. Maturitas. 2025;198:108378. doi:10.1016/j.maturitas.2025.108378
4. Guo EL, Katta R. Diet and hair loss: effects of nutrient deficiency and supplement use. Dermatology practical & conceptual. 2017;7(1):1-10. doi:10.5826/dpc.0701a01
5. Paichitrojjana A, Paichitrojjana A. Platelet Rich Plasma and Its Use in Hair Regrowth: A Review. Drug Design, Development and Therapy. 2022;Volume 16:635-645. doi:10.2147/dddt.s356858
6. Cirigliano M. Bioidentical hormone therapy: a review of the evidence. Journal of Women’s Health (2002). 2007;16(5):600-631. doi:10.1089/jwh.2006.0311