Hair often plays a critical role in forming a womans identity, so it should come as no surprise that female hair loss can have a major effect on self esteem, mood and confidence. It can even result in increased stress, anxiety and clinical depression, according to board certified dermatologist Anna Drosou of DermSurgery Associates in Houston, Texas.

Discussion around female hair loss pales in comparison to talk about male baldness, so we spoke with several experts who explained to us the most common causes of female hair loss and how to treat them.

As always, consult with your doctor before diagnosing yourself with any of the following causes or conditions.

First, Get To Understand Your Hair Cycle

Everyones healthy hair cycle follows a similar pattern: The active growth phase of hair (anagen) lasts 3-5 years, followed by a 10-day transitional period (catagen), and finally the telogen phase, in which the hair sheds and follicles fall out . The follicle is then inactive for three months before the whole cycle is repeated.

Some people experience hair loss at a pace thats more rapid than usual (telogen effluvium), which is a prolonged (and usually sudden) period of hair loss. Telogen effluvium is a reactive type of hair loss, caused by some sort of internal disruption, i.e. nutritional inadequacies, illness, surgery or hypo/hyperthyroid, Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist, associate member of The Institute of Trichologists and brand president at Philip Kingsley, told HuffPost.