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Endometriosis is more than a narrowly defined menstrual disorder. It exists outside of someone’s period and has a range of symptoms beyond only pelvic pain. Anyone living with it will tell you that, more often than not, it’s defined by a host of seemingly unrelated symptoms that are actually really, really related.
One symptom that often comes up in someone’s “Is this connected to endometriosis?” search is excessive hair loss.
In conversation with Dr. Ryniec, who focuses on reproductive endocrinology and infertility, she explained that the best thing you can do if you’re struggling with hair loss is to check in with your doctor first.
“If hair loss is concerning to you, it's worth evaluating at any amount,” encourages Dr. Ryniec. “Especially if it seems like a change from your typical shedding.”
Endometriosis and hair loss explained
Typically, how you shed hair may differ from your friend's or sister’s. You don’t have to measure hair loss strand by strand to look for a reason behind the sudden increased change. You know your body best.
If you live with other endometriosis symptoms like painful periods or heavy bleeding, it’s natural to wonder if endometriosis is the culprit behind the extra hair on your bathroom floor. As Dr. Ryniec explained, no studies can support that endometriosis causes hair loss, but this doesn’t mean that endometriosis-adjacent symptoms or conditions don’t have something to do with it.
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Dr. Ryniec adds:
“This can either be related to hormonal changes with endometriosis or its treatments (long-term hormonal suppression), increased inflammation or association with autoimmune diseases that can cause hair loss, related GI symptoms and nutrient deficiencies, and stress of a chronic painful disease like endometriosis.”
Your body doesn’t operate in a vacuum. What is impacting one part of your health may very well affect another.
What to do if you’re losing more hair than normal
No matter why you’re struggling with excessive hair loss, you deserve support and guidance to find a better way forward.
In some cases, you may be able to work with your doctor to get a prescription — like Rogaine or Nutrafol — for hair loss. This will depend fully on whether your doctor can diagnose a specific cause for your hair loss, which in and of itself may take time to uncover.
No matter your conversations with your doctor, you can also make certain lifestyle changes to support your hair health.
“Being gentle with your hair is the first step: gentle washing and conditioning, avoiding pulling hair back tightly, limiting the use of hot tools and hair products, avoiding smoking, and having a well-balanced diet,” adds Dr. Ryniec.
Other reasons behind hair loss as a woman
Dr. Ryniec also shared that there may be a slew of other reasons that can lead to excessive hair loss. Some of those factors include pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes, long-term fertility treatment, nutritional deficiencies, autoimmune illness, thyroid disorders, or even existing hair treatments.
As you try to determine the cause of your hair loss, reflect on your life and write down anything new you’re using or trying out. Make a note of any significant changes in your lifestyle or any new stressors that have popped up since the last time you noticed your hair. These can all be helpful clues as you and your doctors try to piece together whether endometriosis is the root of your excessive hair loss.
Vivian Nunez is a writer. Her award-winning Instagram community has created pathways for speaking about mental health and grief. She hosts the podcast, Happy To Be Here, and has been featured by Spotify, Instagram, Netflix, CBS This Morning, Oprah! The Magazine, and more. You can find Vivian @vivnunez on Instagram/TikTok and her writing on vivnunez.substack.com.
