In addition to chemotherapy, there are many other medical conditions that cause hair loss. Here’s a brief overview of some of the major causes of hair loss:

Chemotherapy: Hair loss is one of the most recognized side effects of chemotherapy. Most chemotherapy drugs lead to some form of hair loss in many cancer patients. In most cases, hair will grow back once treatment has been completed.

Approximately 25 million women in the United States suffer from hair loss. Approximately 40 percent of women will face some sort of hair loss by the age of 60. There is an increased incidence of female pattern baldness during and after menopause. Trichotillomania is a psychological condition in which people pull out their hair. Hair loss also accompanies Lupus, an autoimmune connective tissue disease.

Following organ transplantation, anti-rejection drugs are used to keep the transplanted kidney or other organ healthy. Hair loss is a side effect of anti-rejection drugs such as Imuran and Prograf. Hair loss may also occur in patients who undergo major surgery, such as gastric bypass surgery.

In addition, patients may experience Alopecia Areata which is hair loss in a sharply defined area of the body, most noticeable on the scalp. They may also experience the related conditions of Alopecia Totalis, in which the whole of the scalp becomes bald, or Alopecia Universalis, a hair loss condition affecting the entire body.