IIt can start with a larger tuft of hair down the drain when you shower, or in the morning when you notice a few stray hairs on your pillow, or when your ponytail feels a bit slimmer than usual. But no matter when the realization strikes that you are losing your hair, it is inevitably accompanied by a deluge of questions that fly through your brain, like “WTF?” and “Why is this happening to me ???” Trust me – I was there.

First things first: don’t panic. Hair loss is far more common than you probably think, and affects more than 50 percent of women at some point in their life. The other good news is that in many cases it can be repaired.

However, before delving into any solutions, consider the why behind your hair loss – which in most cases means planning a visit to your dermatologist. “The causes of hair loss are innumerable and there are many different types of hair loss, and this is the only way to know what type of hair loss it is [you might have] and what causes it is to be seen in person by a dermatologist, “says Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, a certified dermatologist based in Pittsburgh. If you want answers asap, keep scrolling for the four most common causes of hair loss she says could be responsible for that lump in your drain.

1. Stress

Stress causes a type of hair loss called telogen effluvium, which is characterized by the loss of 150 or more strands of hair per day. “When we’re stressed, our adrenal glands produce this hormone called cortisol, and then the cortisone signals our hair follicles to switch from the growth phase to the catagen phase.” [a transition phase], and then hair falls out, “Tess Marshall, ND, a naturopathic doctor who works with the hair growth supplement Nutrafol, previously told Well + Good.

The first way to deal with stress-related hair loss is to try to deal with all of the stressors that are hanging around in your life. Since “being less stressed” is not exactly good advice, choosing the right products can also help. “One of the goals that increase inflammation and oxidative stress in our hair follicles comes from the outside world. So when we use products that contain chemicals that upset our entire hormonal system, it can have a negative impact on our hair, “says Dr. Marshall, who suggests getting everything through chemicals like sulfates through plant-based shampoos and conditioners from brands like Verb and replace prose.

2. Aggressive brushing of the hair

If you notice that strands of hair are coming out every time you run a brush through your strands, it may be because you are going too hard. “Brushing your hair too aggressively can result in pulling the hair by the base or the hair follicle from which the hair grows,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “Constant, repetitive trauma and damage to the hair bulb or follicle can result in irreparable damage and the hair may not grow back over time.” The best way to avoid this, she says, is to brush gently and hold the hair near the scalp with your non-brushing hand to prevent pulling and tugging. You can also try using a soft brush, such as a boar bristle brush or a wet brush, to make sure you’re not doing further damage.

3. Vitamin D deficiency

“Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to several types of hair loss, including telogen effluvium, an autoimmune disease called alopecia areata, and hair loss in women,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “It’s a lot more common than most of us know.” If you suspect your levels are low, make an appointment with your dermatologist or family doctor to have things checked. If so, it is best to tweak your diet or include a vitamin D supplement in your routine to balance things out.

4. Hormones

Add “hair loss” to the list of annoying things we can blame our hormones for (directly via mood swings and gas). “When pregnant women experience hair loss, it is usually due to a condition called telogen effluvium, which is a temporary hair loss that occurs several months after giving birth due to fluctuating hormone levels,” says Dr. Zubritsky. “There are other hormone-related causes of telogen effluvium, including, for example, using or stopping birth control pills or menopause.” While there are no real treatments for this type of hair loss, it goes away on its own in most women after a few months.

For more information on hair loss, see the video below.

Oh hello! You look like someone who loves free workouts, discounts on cutting-edge wellness brands, and exclusive Well + Good content. Register with Well +, our online community of wellness insiders, and activate your rewards immediately.