“Is Hair Loss Hitting Women Harder than Men?”
A study by Hers in 2025 reveals that women across four generations, including Gen Zs, Millennials, Gen Xers, and Baby Boomers, are experiencing more hair thinning and loss compared to men. This challenges the common belief that men are more prone to hair loss and raises questions about the gender investment disparity in the hair loss market. Despite men holding a dominant share (61.1%) in the global hair growth supplement and treatment market, women are reporting higher instances of hair thinning and loss.
While scientific studies show that male pattern hair loss affects 50% of men by age 50 and female pattern baldness affects around 40% of women, the Hers research paints a different picture. Women in the study report a higher prevalence of hair thinning and loss than men. Notably, 23% of women aged 18 to 65 claim their hair has become thinner, compared to 18% of men, and 18% of women state they have experienced hair loss, as opposed to 16.5% of men. This discrepancy might be due to women in the study facing various forms of hair loss beyond female pattern hair loss.
Additionally, women are 1.5 times more likely than men to express concerns about hair thinning. Stress emerged as a significant difference in women’s health compared to men, with more women reporting increased stress levels, anxiety, and burnout over the past five years.
Although stress and hair loss may not be directly linked, they can influence each other. Emotional and physiological stress can trigger telogen effluvium, a temporary hair loss condition where a large number of hair follicles prematurely enter the resting phase before shedding. Women across different age groups reported higher stress levels than men, with Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X, and Boomer women experiencing more stress than their male counterparts.
Despite these challenges, women are actively seeking solutions for their hair health. A high percentage of women have either tried or are open to trying hair growth supplements and medications, showing a willingness to explore new avenues for hair growth and restoration.
Hair Growth Products Survey Results:
According to the survey results, 64% of men have either tried hair growth supplements in the past (36%) or are open to trying them in the future (28%). Additionally, 59% of men have either tried hair growth medications before (32%) or are willing to try them (27%). Despite hair loss being more common among older women scientifically, younger women are more receptive to prescription hair loss treatments than older women. Specifically, 61% of Gen Z women and 66% of Millennial women have either tried or expressed willingness to try hair growth medications, in contrast to only 48% of Gen X and Boomer women.
Tips for Dealing with Stress-Induced Hair Loss:
If you are facing hair loss, thinning, or shedding due to stress, here are some suggestions to promote regrowth and prevent further hair loss:
1. Consult a healthcare provider: Hair loss can have various causes, including stress, genetics, diet, and immune system issues. To effectively manage your hair loss, it is crucial to speak with a healthcare provider who can identify the underlying causes and provide actionable steps for treatment.
2. Make lifestyle changes: Lifestyle adjustments can be beneficial for different types of hair loss. For instance, if your hair loss is due to a vitamin deficiency, incorporating the necessary vitamins into your diet or taking supplements may aid in hair regrowth. Seeking medical advice for stress-related hair loss can help you identify the root cause and receive guidance on reducing stress levels through interventions like improving sleep quality and increasing physical activity.
3. Consider medication: Lifestyle changes may not always be sufficient for addressing all types of hair loss. Treatment options such as minoxidil can facilitate hair growth, but potential side effects should be discussed with your healthcare provider. Depending on the specific type of hair loss, other medications may also be effective.
4. Explore different hair styling products or hairstyles: While waiting for hair regrowth, you can opt for products that add volume to your hair or experiment with new hairstyles that create the appearance of fuller hair.
Data & Methodology:
The study is based on an online survey of 7,100 participants conducted in January 2025. The survey included 5,000 individuals aged 18 to 65 from the top 50 metropolitan areas, 5,000 respondents from each of the 50 states, and a nationally representative sample of 500 participants in the same age range. The analysis considered various demographic and psychographic factors, including city, region, gender, age, race, ethnicity, and relationship status.
This article was created by Hers and was reviewed and shared by Stacker. It covers topics such as relationship status, sexual orientation (including heterosexual, bisexual, gay, lesbian, pansexual, asexual, queer, etc.), interests in fandoms (such as music, sports, etc.), as well as fitness and diet preferences, among other areas of interest.
