Telogen effluvium occurs when sudden or severe stress causes an increase in the shedding of the hair throughout the whole scalp. In telogen effluvium a sudden or stressful event can cause certain hair follicles to prematurely stop growing and enter into the telogen (resting phase). The hairs affected will then stay in the resting phase for about 3 months after which time they will shed. Often the person involved will have recovered from the event before the hair loss occurs.
In most cases the hair loss is temporary and the hair soon recovers. However in some cases the hair loss continues until the underlying cause is resolved. Telogen effluvium appears to affect more women than men because the precipitating events such as childbirth are experienced by women.
• Child birth
• Pregnancy terminations
• Gastric dietary surgery
• Starting or stopping birth control pills
• Dieting drugs
• Therapy
• Severe emotional stress
Hair loss after child birth
It is quite common for some women to experience some hair loss approximately 3 months after childbirth. This hair loss is triggered by the sudden changes in hormone levels. Some statistics suggest that 20% of mothers lose hair after childbirth and others suggest a figure closer to 45%. Fortunately in most cases the hair will return to normal 9-12 months after the child's birth.
Many women notice that their hair is thicker and healthier during pregnancy; this is due to the increased levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone which cause more hairs than normal to remain in the growth phase. However, when the child is born many of the hair follicles that had delayed entering the resting phase suddenly enter the resting phase due to the rapid drop in hormone levels. As a result of this, these hairs are then shed about 3 months after birth.
Hair loss resulting from pregnancy terminations
Similar to the way in which sudden hair loss can occur after giving birth, sudden hair loss can also occur after an abortion or miscarriage when the hair loss is triggered by sudden changes in hormone levels. Hair that has remained in the growth phase due to increased hormone levels will suddenly enter the resting phase and will shed approximately 3 months after the event.
Hair loss resulting from taking the birth control pill
Birth control pills affect the hormone levels within the body and these hormone levels can affect hair growth. In some cases hair thinning may occur due to male hormones present in some types of contraceptive pills. This type of hair loss is similar to pattern baldness or androgenitic alopecia. However discontinuation of ‘The Pill’ can result in hair loss similar to that which occurs in child birth due to the drop in hormone levels.
Gastric dietary surgery
This surgery is taken by individuals who are excessively over weight. The operation is very stressful for the body and it's immune system. The rapid weight loss due to the shrinking of the stomach in the gastric area results in a reduced supply of natural nutrients which in turn affects the individual’s complexion and body hair. Thinning of the cranial hair (top area) is normal after a 3 month period. The hair loss is normally temporary and after the weight loss stabilizes (which is normally 18-24 months) the hair returns to normal. Individuals that have this surgery, that are of the age of 40 and above, may experience permanent hair thinning.
Surgery
The shock involved in a major operation (gastric dietry surgery included) can result in sudden hair loss.
After micrograft and minigraft surgery where follicles are transplanted on the scalp, telogen effluvium almost always occurs. Due to the shock of surgery the hair follicles will fall out within 3 months after which the new hairs will grow from transplanted follicles.
Prescribed drugs that can cause hair loss
Some drugs have been reported as causing hair loss in some individuals. While not everyone will experience hair loss, some drugs are more likely to cause hair loss than others.
If you suspect that prescription drugs that you are taking are causing hair loss you should discuss this with your doctor.
Hair loss caused by severe emotional stress
Some people experience telogen effluvium or sudden diffuse hair loss after a traumatic event such as death of a family member or someone close, an accident, divorce, abuse or any other severely traumatic event. These events may trigger hair follicles to enter the resting phase prematurely, in which case an increase in the amount of hair shed will be noticed about 3 months after the event.
The above types of hair loss are usually temporary and in most cases the hair will grow back normally soon after it has fallen out. However in some cases the hair loss may continue until the cause is treated. These cases include; thyroid gland malfunction, diabetes, anemia and systemic lupus erythematosis.
