Treating Hair Loss Problems due to Testosterone Levels and Stress Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Women's Health Treating Hair Loss Problems due to Testosterone Levels and Stress By Dr. Orli EtinginReviewed: February 19, 2008Fact-CheckedQ1. I have had blood work done a few times over the past five years, and each time I am told that my testosterone is high. Lately, my hair has been falling rapidly. Do you think my hair will grow back if I lower my testosterone? I'm really going to watch my diet, but is there any other treatment I can use to lower my testosterone? — Jennifer, Pennsylvania Lowering your levels of testosterone will help your hair grow back, but first you need to determine what is causing your high testosterone. Elevated testosterone levels and hair loss in women can be related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so you should be tested for this condition. While there are other conditions that can raise testosterone levels in women, such as an increased secretion of hormones or an overgrowth of the adrenal glands (which sit atop the kidneys), PCOS is more common. Be sure to see an endocrinologist for a full hormonal evaluation. If you do have PCOS, it's usually treated with birth control pills and a medication, spironolactone, which can lower testosterone. If you don't have PCOS, there are other medications that can be used to lower testosterone levels. Talk to your doctor about your options. Q2. I'm a 56-year-old woman and have been losing hair for about the past seven or eight months. Could stress be a factor? I have a lot on my plate but have always been able to handle it in the past. — Rita, Minnesota Rita, this is one of the most difficult clinical problems to solve for women in their fifties. There are many causes of hair loss, including the onset of menopause; familial pattern hair loss; hormone deficiencies such as hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism; certain diseases such as lupus and diabetes; infections, especially fungal infections of the scalp; medications; and, yes, stress. Here's the deal: Hair grows in several phases and when a person is stressed, all the hair "cycles" into the last phase of growth — the one in which hair falls out. That's why many people lose a lot of hair within a few months of a major stressful event. Weight loss and dietary deficiencies of protein or iron can also be factors. The bottom line is that if you are experiencing inordinate hair loss, you should see your doctor for evaluation, including a review of any drugs you are taking. Excessive vitamin A, birth control pills, antidepressants, blood thinners, and, of course, some drugs used in chemotherapy to treat cancer are all known to cause hair loss. If your doctor doesn't find a specific medical cause, your next step is to see a dermatologist or hair loss expert. He or she will analyze your hair and recommend appropriate strategies to help it grow back. For example, vitamins like selenium, zinc, and biotin can stimulate hair growth. Minoxidil solution, sold over the counter as Rogaine, may also help in some cases. The important thing is to be sure that there is not a medical cause that requires intervention. Good luck. Learn more in the Everyday Health Women's Health Center. NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Women' s Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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