What Causes Hair Loss?

Doctors don't know why certain hair follicles are programmed to have a shorter growth period than others. However, several factors may influence hair loss:

• Hormones, such as abnormal levels of androgens (male hormones normally produced by both men and women)
• Genes, from both male and female parents, may influence a person's predisposition to male or female pattern baldness.
• Stress, illness, and childbirth can cause temporary hair loss.