Question: I've been losing handfuls of hair lately and have not had my menstrual period in about four months. Are these two things related? I am 20 years old and am not pregnant.
Dr. Hibberd’s answer:
Both conditions may be related, but it’s important that you get checked out. Unexplained hair loss and loss of menses can be caused by a variety of health conditions. You must have your doctor examine you to determine what’s causing your symptoms.
Interruption of menstruation is often seen with anorexia, bulemia, malnutrition, and sometimes with a hormonal disorder, diabetes, hypothyroidism, and other conditions. Without a precise diagnosis for your menstrual loss, I cannot say whether it’s associated with your hair loss.