In brief
Losing more hair than usual, or noticing thinning. Pattern hair loss is common and runs in families, and other causes include stress, hormone changes and thyroid problems.
- Over time, stress may cause hair loss, according to healthdirect.
- If you have acne, irregular periods or a lot of body hair, your doctor may check your hormone levels.
- Talk to your doctor if hair loss is worrying you or you are losing more hair than usual.
When to get help
Get help now
- If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero (000) immediately.
See your doctor if
- You are losing a lot more hair than usual.
- Hair loss comes with acne, irregular periods or a lot of body hair.
- Hair loss is causing you worry or distress.
Things that can contribute
- Family history
- Hormone changes
- Emotional stress
- An underactive thyroid
- PCOS
- Autoimmune conditions
- Tight hairstyles
Questions you could ask your GP
- Could thyroid or hormone levels be playing a part?
- Could any of my medicines contribute?
- What treatments could slow my hair loss?
Based on healthdirect Australia, Male pattern baldness. You can also check your symptoms with the healthdirect Symptom Checker, or speak with a registered nurse on 1800 022 222.
How it works
Male pattern baldness is an inherited condition that affects about 1 in 5 males in their 20s, 1 in 3 in their 30s and nearly half in their 40s. Female pattern hair loss is also linked to genes and is more common after menopause. In both, hair follicles are more sensitive to androgen (male) hormones.
Other causes of hair loss include hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions, infections, radiation therapy, emotional stress and tight hairstyles. Thinning hair is a symptom of an underactive thyroid, and scalp hair thinning can occur with PCOS. Treatments such as minoxidil aim to slow or stop hair loss.
Connections
4 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Hair loss or thinning is linked with
- Chronic stress (allostatic load) Supported
Over time, stress may cause hair loss.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Stress
Hair follicles sit in the skin, and inflammation of them is one cause of hair problems.
Hair loss or thinning can be caused by
Thinning hair is a symptom of an underactive thyroid.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
Scalp hair thinning or baldness can occur with PCOS.
Source: healthdirect Australia, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Sources
- Male pattern baldness
- Female pattern hair loss
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid)
- Stress
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 12, 13 and 16 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.