It’s never easy learning that you’re experiencing thinning hair at a seemingly young age and can create feelings of anxiety and worry for someone experiencing thinning hair or hair loss. So what is causing it exactly and how can you tell if it’s something you should be worried about right away? Most men will notice some sort of hair loss by their mid thirties and women make up about 40% of hair loss sufferers, according to the American Hair Loss Association. But reading hair loss statistics is sometimes not comforting enough for someone personally experiencing the condition.

Causes of Thinning Hair

Hair loss can happen very quickly or slowly depending on the person and the cause of thinning hair. The causes of hair loss and thinning hair are not just genetic, but genetic hair loss is one of the most common causes. When the sufferer first determines the cause of the hair loss, then it is easier to explore possible treatment options and solutions. For genetic hair loss, DHT-blocking solutions are the most effective, since the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is what is attacking the hair follicles and causing thinning hair. The sooner a treatment is started for genetic hair loss, the less hair will be lost over time depending on the treatment itself.

There are other causes of thinning hair besides genetic factors. One cause can be your weight – being overweight or obese affects insulin levels and hormones in the body. And when hormones are not in balance, this affects the hair, according to Dr. Melissa Piliang, a dermatologist and hair-loss specialist at the Cleveland Clinic.

The treatments and solutions for thinning hair, including products like Rogaine, Propecia and Revivogen, are helpful for those experiencing thinning hair for genetic reasons. But the education of genetic baldness and also other causes is crucial as well.