The Root of Female Hair Loss: A TCM Perspective on Causes & Renewal - Part 1
Healthy hair isn’t just an outward beauty marker, it’s a reflection of the way in which we nourish ourselves, inside and out. When our hair begins to thin, shed, or lose its vitality, it’s often a sign that the body is asking for support — a gentle warning of imbalance. For many women, changes in hair arise during periods of chronic stress, illness, postpartum recovery, and as a result of hormonal shifts like perimenopause and menopause. And while more than half of all women will experience noticeable hair loss at some point in their lives, that doesn’t make it any less emotional. Any amount of hair shedding can feel alarming, unsettling, and deeply concerning.
But, rather than scour the internet for hair loss solutions, it’s important to first understand why your hair is changing in the first place. Remember: hair loss is a highly individual journey, and it's rarely just about the exterior of the body — it’s often rooted in something much deeper, such as nutrient depletion, slowed circulation, blood deficiency, or Kidney deficiency. Once you understand what’s shifting internally, everything becomes easier. You know what to test for, what to nourish, what to replenish, and which practices will actually make a difference.
Why Does Female Hair Loss Happen?
Have you noticed chunks of hair falling out in the shower, strands shedding as you’re brushing your hair, or hair thinning that seems to appear overnight? Unfortunately, female hair loss is more common than you might think — it’s something many women quietly struggle with. And though hair loss can feel sudden, the truth is that hair loss rarely occurs out of the blue. Oftentimes, the imbalance has been building beneath the surface for weeks or even months, and hair loss is simply the outward expression of that shift, revealing that hormones, nutrients, stress, or circulation may need deeper support.
What TCM Says About Hair Loss
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the hair is nourished by the Kidneys and considered an extension of the Liver Blood. When these systems are in balance, the scalp receives ample Blood, Qi, and Essence, resulting in strong, resilient hair. But, if the Liver or
Kidneys become depleted — as they often do during stressful seasons or major hormonal shifts — hair may begin to thin or shed.
From chronic stress, to overwork, to poor sleep, and long-standing digestive weakness, our modern lifestyle often asks more of us than the body was designed to give. The constant output, rushing, and multitasking take a toll on the body, draining the reserves that keep our hair lush and strong. Add in major hormonal transitions — like childbirth, breastfeeding, perimenopause, and menopause — and it becomes clear why so many women experience hair loss during these chapters of life.
So, how do we know how to bring our hair back to balance? By recognizing the patterns at play so we can understand what’s happening beneath the surface.
Common TCM Patterns Linked to Hair Loss
Kidney Deficiency
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, we say that our “Kidney Essence manifests in the hair”. This Kidney Essence (or Jing) is what’s linked to our energy, vitality, fertility, and hair health. When Kidney Essence is abundant, the hair grows thick, strong, and vibrant. However, when it declines (whether through age, pregnancy, chronic stress, or long-term illness), the body has fewer reserves to nourish the scalp. This pattern often develops slowly, where women may notice gradual thinning, weaker strands, premature graying, or hair that simply doesn’t grow as it once did.
Common signs of Kidney Essence deficiency:
- Gradual hair thinning over months or years
- Early hair graying
- Brittle, weak hair and bones
- Low back pain
- Weakness, fatigue, or burnout
- Reproductive issues, such as infertility
- Premature aging or early menopause
- Lack of vitality
- Dark under-eye circles
Liver Blood Deficiency
In Chinese Medicine, we say that “the hair is the surplus of Blood.” Therefore, well-nourished hair depends on well-nourished blood! When Liver Blood becomes deficient — as often happens after childbirth (and during the post-partum period), heavy periods, chronic stress, under-eating, or long-standing digestive weakness — our hair pays the price. We often see this as hair shedding, dryness, brittleness, or slow regrowth.
- Common signs of Liver Blood deficiency:
- Dry, dull, lusterless hair
- Increased hair shedding
- Slow hair regrowth
- Postpartum hair loss
- Pale complexion
- Dizziness or fatigue
- Light periods or amenorrhea
- Dry skin or nails
Liver Qi & Blood Stagnation
When it comes to hair loss, Qi and Blood stagnation affects the scalp as a result of poor blood circulation. Even if our Liver Blood is abundant, it must flow to nourish the scalp. How does this free-flow happen? Through the smooth movement of Liver Qi, the “driver” of circulation. When Liver Qi becomes stagnant — often from stress accumulation, emotional tension, or physical inactivity — circulation slows, and the hair follicles receive less nourishment. Over time, this lack of flow can lead to increased hair shedding, scalp soreness, or localized thinning in areas where circulation simply can’t reach. The good news is that this pattern is less chronic — once Liver Qi is smoothed and circulation is restored, the hair has a chance to regrow.
Common signs of Liver Qi & Blood Stagnation:
- Patchy or localized hair loss
- Scalp tension or soreness
- Slow-growing hair
- Stress or emotional stagnation
- History of trauma, surgery, or inflammation
Spleen Qi & Blood Deficiency
While not highlighted as often, Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency can absolutely be a pattern contributing to hair loss — especially in women with digestive issues, fatigue, or irregular eating habits. In TCM, the Spleen governs digestion and is responsible for transforming food into high-quality Qi and Blood. If Spleen Qi becomes weak, however, this transformation process falters. The body cannot generate enough Blood to nourish the hair, and over time, the scalp receives less and less of what it needs to sustain healthy growth. As a result, hair may begin to thin, becoming finer and more prone to shedding.
Common signs of Spleen Qi deficiency:
- Whole hair thinning (not just in patches)
- Weak hair
- Digestive issues (such as bloating and loose stools)
- Feeling fatigued, especially after meals
- Feeling heavy or sluggish
Looking at Hair Loss From a Functional Medicine Approach
Just like TCM, Functional Medicine understands that female hair loss is rarely a standalone issue. In fact, research has shown us that our hair health is deeply connected to the rest of the body. Our hormones, digestion, metabolism, and stress all influence whether our follicles stay nourished or whether they become vulnerable to shedding. With this in mind, here are some factors to consider:
Hormonal Shifts
Hormones play a central role in regulating hair growth, and even slight fluctuations can make the follicle more prone to shedding.
Common hormonal drivers include:
- Thyroid imbalance (such as Hashimoto’s)
- Postpartum shifts in estrogen and progesterone
- Declining estrogen during perimenopause and menopause
- Elevated androgens, such as DHT
Nutrient Deficiencies
Just like we talked about with Spleen Qi and Blood deficiency, hair requires a constant supply of nutrients to grow. With our busy lifestyles, poor diets, and lack of adequate nutrients, deficiencies are one of the most common — and most overlooked — causes of female hair loss.
Key nutrients to evaluate for hair health include:
- Ferritin
- Folate
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin D
- Zinc
- Protein intake and amino acid status
Gut Health
Because our hair depends on nutrient absorption, impaired digestion and gut imbalances can directly influence hair.
Common Gastrointestinal contributors to hair loss include:
- Poor absorption (from IBS or dysbiosis)
- Chronic inflammation
- Low stomach acid
- Celiac, gluten sensitivity, or food intolerances
- Autoimmune responses
- Stress & Cortisol Imbalance
While a little stress can be healthy, chronic stress is a major contributor to disease and dysfunction — hair loss included. If experienced consistently, stress can prematurely push hair follicles into the “shedding” phase, known as telogen effluvium. Similar to Spleen Blood and Qi deficiency, stress-related hair loss often shows up as diffuse thinning across the entire scalp.
That said, numbers and lab values only tell part of the story. To understand the full picture — especially why stress, fatigue, aging, or hormonal transitions affect the hair so profoundly — we must also look through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Together, these perspectives create a complete, integrated understanding of why hair loss happens and how to restore harmony.
