How To Turn Off The Hormones That Cause Hair Thinning

What it looks like: Thinner hair all over—the shedding happens throughout the scalp, so you might just notice a tinier ponytail.

Related: 7 Reasons Why Your Hair Might Be Falling Out

What helps: Ample exercise, meditation, and healthy habits are the best kinds of treatments, says Cleveland Clinic dermatologist Melissa Piliang, M.D. “These techniques help restore your body to its natural state.” Meaning: Your hair follicles can return to their regularly scheduled programming (there is no rule, but it could cut the shedding time in half, from seven months to three). (Torch fat, get fit, and look and feel great with Women’s Health’s All in 18 DVD!) 

In addition, if your condition was brought on by a medical-related (not a trauma-induced) hormonal issue, your doctor may put you on hormone-regulating medications, like progesterone or even birth control, to fix the underlying issue.

No matter the source of the shedding, minoxidil and supplements that address multiple sources of hair loss make great options (since this type of shedding could result from any number of causes), says Fusco. She is particularly impressed with Nutrafol ($88, nutrafol.com), which can kick-start strands to grow in about three months. “It has vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and adaptogens that address stress and inflammation and in general optimize the immune system so hair follicles can be triggered to grow healthy and strong.”

Learn how to blow dry fine hair to make it look full and gorgeous:

This article originally appeared in the March 2017 issue of Women’s Health. For more hair care secrets, pick up a copy on newsstands now!