Autumn Hair Loss in Women: Does Seasonal Hair Loss Really Exist?

Yes, there is evidence of a seasonal rhythm to hair loss. It is less severe than it feels when suddenly more hair is left in the brush and the drain. The topic concerns many: Google autocomplete for Germany, Austria, and Switzerland as of October 2, 2026, includes suggestions such as "autumn hair loss women," "autumn hair loss how long," and "is autumn hair loss normal."

Autocomplete shows search interest, not case numbers. A dermatological evaluation is more reliable: Kunz, Seifert, and Trüeb analyzed the hair root patterns (trichograms) of women complaining of hair loss over six years. After excluding diseases and hair-loss-triggering medications, 823 women remained.

The result: The proportion of hair in the resting and shedding phase (telogen) was highest in the summer. A second, less pronounced peak appeared in the spring, with the proportion at its lowest in late winter. The study is retrospective and concerns women who came for an examination due to hair loss anyway. It measures hair roots, not how many hairs actually fall out.

→ Source: Kunz M, Seifert B, Trüeb RM – Seasonality of hair shedding in healthy women complaining of hair loss, Dermatology (2009)

A second piece of evidence comes from search behavior. Dr. Shawn Kwatra of Johns Hopkins University and his team analyzed Google searches for "hair loss" from 2004 to 2016 in eight English-speaking countries in both hemispheres. Searches were most frequent in the summer, followed by autumn, and least frequent in the spring.

Search interest is not a metric for hair loss, and the data does not come from German-speaking regions. However, they fit the picture of the trichogram study: The summer peak is followed by an awareness of the problem. We are referring here to a report about the study, not the original publication, which we were unable to access.

→ Source: Live Science – Hair loss searches peak in summer (Report on Kwatra et al., British Journal of Dermatology, 2017)

How many hairs per day is normal?

About 60 to 100 hairs falling out per day is considered normal. Dermatologist Hans Wolff describes in "Arzneiverordnung in der Praxis" (2015) that hair grows cyclically: a multi-year growth phase, a short regression phase, and a resting phase of two to four months. At the end of the resting phase, the hair falls out and makes room for a new one.

→ Source: Wolff H – Haarausfall in der Praxis – was tun?, Arzneiverordnung in der Praxis 42(1) (2015)

Normally, according to StatPearls, about 85% of hair is in the growth phase (anagen) and about 15% in the resting phase (telogen). Ralph Trüeb gives the growth phase as about three years and the resting phase as about three months. He uses the term telogen effluvium when significantly more than 20% of hairs are in the resting phase. According to his presentation, there is no universal number for daily hair loss because it depends on the total number of hairs.

→ Source: Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D – Telogen Effluvium, StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf) · Trüeb RM – Zu viel oder zu wenig Haare, Dermatologie & Ästhetische Medizin (Rosenfluh)

How big is the autumn effect? Dermatologist Dr. Golnaz Delir speaks of a change in hair, not real loss: with seasonal hair loss, at most about 10% of hairs are affected, and treatment is generally not necessary. Hair only becomes visibly thinner when more than 30% has been lost. These figures come from a report by inFranken, which cites miss.at, and are not study results.

→ Source: inFranken – Haarausfall im Herbst: Was steckt hinter dem Phänomen (with Dr. Golnaz Delir)

Why does hair fall out in the autumn and not already in the summer?

Because there are weeks to months between the transition into the resting phase and the actual shedding. Prof. Hans Wolff, a dermatologist at LMU Munich, explains according to a report by Heidelberg24 that many people show a "periodically increased hair turnover," especially in spring and autumn. He attributes this to stronger sunlight in the summer, which sends hair follicles from the growth phase into the resting phase. The shedding follows two to four months later.

→ Source: Heidelberg24 – Haarausfall im Herbst: Sind Sie „Fellwechsler“? (with Prof. Hans Wolff, LMU Munich)

This fits the trichogram study, in which the telogen proportion was highest in the summer. Those who transition into the resting phase in July or August lose those hairs roughly in the autumn. In his review article for doctors, Wolff lists the season—specifically autumn—alongside medications, childbirth, and hormonal changes as a potential trigger that synchronizes many follicles simultaneously.

One caveat: the link between sunlight and the hair cycle is an expert explanation. In the sources we examined, we did not find a study that directly tests this in humans. As an observation, the rhythm is documented, but the mechanism remains a hypothesis.

→ Source: Wolff H – Haarausfall in der Praxis – was tun?, Arzneiverordnung in der Praxis (2015)

How long does autumn hair loss last?

None of the sources we examined provide a fixed duration for the purely seasonal portion. This is the honest answer, even if many guidebooks give specific week numbers. Guidance is provided by the related pattern with a clear trigger: according to StatPearls, acute telogen effluvium generally lasts less than six months, and it can take up to six months for new hair to visibly regrow.

Practically speaking: hair loss that begins in September and slowly subsides by December fits a seasonal pattern. Loss that persists for many months without an identifiable end does not. Dr. Delir advises seeking medical consultation if the loss lasts for several months and exceeds 100 hairs daily.

→ Source: StatPearls – Telogen Effluvium · inFranken – with Dr. Golnaz Delir

Seasonal, Telogen Effluvium, or Genetic: A Comparison

Three patterns are often confused, and they require different reactions. The table summarizes how to distinguish seasonal hair loss from telogen effluvium with a trigger and from genetic hair loss. Categorization in individual cases should be left to medical professionals.

→ Source: StatPearls – Telogen Effluvium · Cochrane – Interventions for female pattern hair loss, CD007628 (2016)

The Cochrane review evaluated 47 studies involving 5,290 women. Minoxidil was found to be more effective than a placebo, with six studies showing approximately twice the rate of moderate regrowth. This applies to androgenetic alopecia, not to seasonal hair loss. We explain the daily differences between both forms and what helps with a permanently thinning part in the article Hair loss in women: Blood values, guidelines, and studies.

Self-check at home: Pull test, counting, and photos

At home, it is only possible to roughly estimate whether hair loss is more than usual. StatPearls describes a gentle pull test for practical use, where at least four hairs remain in your hand during acute telogen effluvium, and notes as a rule of thumb that 100 or more collected hairs in 24 hours indicate the condition. Neither replaces a medical examination, as hairstyle, hair length, and washing frequency significantly alter the number of visible hairs.

→ Source: StatPearls – Telogen Effluvium (Evaluation)

The progression is more informative. A photo of your part taken every two to three weeks under the same lighting will show whether your hair is thinning overall or if only more hair is falling out while the part remains equally dense. A noted date also helps to count back: Was there an event such as a fever, surgery, a diet, or a new medication about three months before it started?

Precise diagnosis is performed by a dermatologist. Trüeb cites dermoscopy (epiluminescence) of the scalp, a trichogram—where hair roots are examined under standardized conditions—as well as blood tests and, in individual cases, a biopsy. In cases of diffuse hair loss, the priority is to identify the cause.

→ Source: Trüeb RM – Too much or too little hair (Rosenfluh)

What other triggers can overlap in the fall

Not every increase in hair loss in the fall is seasonal. Anyone who loses more hair in the fall often has an additional trigger that occurred three months earlier. StatPearls mentions, among others, acute febrile illnesses, severe infections, major surgery, hormonal shifts after childbirth, hypothyroidism, iron deficiency, as well as crash diets with insufficient protein.

Medications are also a possibility. StatPearls’ list includes beta-blockers, retinoids, anticoagulants, and carbamazepine. In his overview, Wolff also mentions heparin. Important: Never discontinue a medication on your own; instead, discuss your suspicion with your doctor.

→ Source: StatPearls – Telogen Effluvium (Causes) · Wolff H – Hair loss in practice (2015)

We cover several of these triggers in more detail: postpartum hair loss in the article Postpartum hair loss, thyroid diseases in the article Hashimoto's in women, and the role of chronic stress in the article Cortisol belly in women. If you are also unusually tired in the fall, you can find background information in Fall fatigue: Causes and nutrients.

Which blood values are useful for hair loss in the fall

Iron, ferritin, and TSH are useful, supplemented by T4 if necessary. Wolff recommends exactly these examinations for hair loss of unclear origin, as well as a syphilis test (TPHA) as part of exclusion diagnostics. He does not consider further measurements, such as blood zinc levels, to be necessary. StatPearls adds a complete blood count and transferrin saturation.

→ Source: Wolff H – Hair loss in practice (2015) · StatPearls – Telogen Effluvium (Evaluation)

Ferritin indicates iron stores, TSH is the standard screening value for thyroid dysfunction, and the blood count provides indications of anemia. Vitamin D can be added if a deficiency is suspected. It is important to discuss biotin with your doctor beforehand: The review by Yelich et al. warns that biotin can interfere with laboratory assays and thus lead to misdiagnoses.

→ Source: Yelich E et al. – Biotin for Hair Loss: Teasing Out the Evidence, JCAD (2024)

Iron and ferritin: When stores play a role

Iron deficiency is a recognized trigger of diffuse hair loss, but not the explanation for every autumn occurrence. StatPearls lists it as a cause of telogen effluvium. This does not mean that every woman with seasonal hair loss has too little iron. The seasonal rhythm was shown in the trichogram study in women after excluding medical conditions.

Women before menopause have higher requirements because menstrual bleeding depletes iron. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) specifies a reference value of 16 mg per day for women aged 19 to under 51 before menopause. However, a reference value for nutrition is not a dosage for treating a deficiency. Whether supplementation is necessary and in what quantity is decided by a doctor based on the ferritin level.

→ Source: DGE – Reference values for nutrient intake: Iron · StatPearls – Telogen Effluvium

Background information on requirements, symptoms, and dosage can be found in the article Iron for women: Requirements, dosage, and signs of a deficiency. Iron should not be taken without testing blood levels.

Vitamin D in the fall: Connection yes, evidence of treatment no

Low vitamin D levels are frequently found with hair loss, but whether vitamin D helps is unproven. A meta-analysis by Yongpisarn et al. (Frontiers in Nutrition, 2024) evaluated 81 studies with 15,339 people with hair loss, including 3,048 with telogen effluvium. In telogen effluvium, vitamin D levels were on average 5.71 ng/ml lower than in the control groups. The pooled proportion with deficiency was 53.51 %.

→ Source: Yongpisarn T et al. – Vitamin D deficiency in non-scarring and scarring alopecias: a systematic review and meta-analysis, Frontiers in Nutrition (2024)

The diagram shows that vitamin D deficiency was common in all forms studied, most commonly in telogen effluvium. The authors call for further studies on treatment with vitamin D; they do not cite any existing treatment studies. The analysis cannot clarify whether a low level promotes hair loss or simply occurs alongside it.

Overall supply is relevant for the fall. The DGE provides an estimated value of 20 µg (800 IU) per day for adults, but this specifically applies in cases where no endogenous synthesis occurs. With frequent sun exposure, this level can be reached without supplements. Sun exposure decreases in the fall and winter, making it worth checking your own levels.

→ Source: DGE – Reference values for nutrient intake: Vitamin D

Details on dosage and measured values can be found in the article Vitamin D3 dosage: How many IU per day actually make sense; the connection with mood is described in Vitamin D and mood in winter.

Biotin, zinc, and "hair vitamins": What the data reveals

Current evidence suggests that biotin does not help with hair loss unless there is a biotin deficiency. Yelich and colleagues found only three studies, including one double-blind, placebo-controlled study with 46 participants. There was no difference between biotin and placebo regarding hair growth. The authors write that the benefits of biotin as a hair supplement are not supported by high-quality studies.

→ Source: Yelich E et al. – Biotin for Hair Loss: Teasing Out the Evidence, JCAD (2024)

The same applies to zinc and other micronutrients: Wolff considers additional nutrient supplementation to be unnecessary for simple effluvium without a proven deficiency. Treatment consists of identifying and addressing the trigger; after that, the loss usually subsides on its own. Further clarification is offered by our articles Biotin: Hair, skin, nails and Zinc: Immune system, hair, skin, nails.

→ Source: Wolff H – Hair loss in practice (2015)

Care and daily life: What can improve hair appearance

Hair care changes how hair looks, but does not demonstrably change how much hair falls out. The inFranken article recommends protecting hair from drying out, reducing the use of hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons or using heat protection, and massaging the scalp with a brush. These are plausible everyday tips for hair structure.

We did not find any studies in the reviewed sources showing that hair care products shorten seasonal hair loss.

→ Source: inFranken – Hair loss in the fall (Care tips)

Evidence Map: What plays a role in seasonal hair loss

This overview separates observation, correlation, and proven treatment. It shows where your efforts are useful and where they are not.

The VEYT Autumn Hair Check: 5 steps in the right order

The VEYT products for this article

VEYT products can correct a medically diagnosed nutrient deficiency. They are not a remedy for hair loss and do not replace medical evaluation. We only show the two nutrients that can play a role in diagnostic workups. Shipping is from Germany within 1 to 3 business days; a 14-day right of withdrawal and a 60-day guarantee apply.

Dietary supplements do not replace a balanced diet or medical treatment. Please consult a doctor beforehand if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have medical conditions, or take regular medication.

Expert Perspectives & Protocol Breakdown

Prof. Hans Wolff (Dermatologist, LMU Munich)

His perspective: Wolff describes hair loss as a cyclical process in which triggers like seasons, hormones, medication, or childbirth synchronize many follicles simultaneously. His advice for clinical practice: find the triggers, check iron, ferritin, and thyroid levels, and omit additional nutrients in the absence of a deficiency. According to Heidelberg24, he supports the sunlight explanation for autumn hair loss; the details provided come from that press report.

→ Source: Wolff H – Arzneiverordnung in der Praxis (2015) · Heidelberg24 – Interview Report

Prof. Ralph M. Trüeb (Dermatologist, Zurich)

His perspective: Trüeb is a co-author of the trichogram study on seasonality and describes in an overview that for diffuse hair loss, the focus should be on diagnostic workup and causal treatment, supplemented by counseling on hair care, nutrition, and lifestyle. He refers to epiluminescence microscopy, trichograms, and blood tests as diagnostic tools.

→ Source: Trüeb RM – Too much or too little hair (Rosenfluh) · Kunz M, Seifert B, Trüeb RM – Dermatology (2009)

Dr. Eric Berg (Chiropractor, nutrition author)

What he recommends: In his article on the causes of hair loss, Berg cites chronic stress, which pushes follicles into the resting phase via cortisol, as well as hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies (B vitamins, Vitamin D, iron, zinc, copper), and a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates. He recommends stress reduction, a nutrient-dense, low-carb diet (his "Healthy Keto" approach), Vitamin D from sun and fish, and gentle hair care. He does not mention seasonal hair loss.

→ Source: Dr. Eric Berg – The Causes of Hair Loss

Dr. Josh Axe (Nutrition and natural health author)

What he recommends: Axe identifies genetics, hormonal changes, illness, and medication as causes and advises women to have their thyroid checked. His recommended measures include pumpkin seeds, wild salmon, bone broth, saw palmetto, fish oil, and biotin, as well as stress reduction, scalp massage, and rosemary oil. He also makes no mention of seasonal hair loss.

→ Source: Dr. Josh Axe – How to Stop Hair Loss

Where They Differ

Wolff and Trüeb prioritize diagnostics and advise against additional nutrients for simple effluvium as long as no deficiency exists. Berg and Axe, on the other hand, recommend broad dietary and nutrient protocols, including biotin, which showed no benefit in the best available study. They all agree on two points: thyroid and nutrient status should be considered, and stress is recognized as a potential factor.

What the Evidence Says

There is observational data for the seasonal rhythm itself, but no treatment studies. It is proven that identifying other triggers is useful, and that Minoxidil is effective for androgenetic hair loss. We found no reliable studies on seasonal hair loss for saw palmetto, pumpkin seeds, bone broth, or rosemary oil in this research. We intentionally do not equate expert opinion with study evidence, and VEYT does not necessarily endorse every statement made by the aforementioned authors.

Myths about hair loss in autumn

“Hair falls out in clumps in the autumn, it’s like molting”

The seasonal effect is measurable but moderate. Dermatologist Delir estimates the affected portion to be at most about 10% of hair, and the trichogram study found fluctuations in the telogen percentage, not a collective molting process.

“High-dose Vitamin D stops autumn hair loss”

A low Vitamin D level is more common in cases of hair loss. The 2024 meta-analysis does not cite studies showing that supplementation improves hair loss. Intake should be based on measured levels, and the German Nutrition Society (DGE) estimate is 20 µg per day.

“Hair vitamins or biotin accelerate regrowth”

According to the 2024 review, the benefit for people without a deficiency is not proven. Furthermore, biotin can falsify lab results, which may delay diagnoses.

“Hair loss in autumn is always harmless”

Mostly yes, but not always. If the loss persists for months, is significantly over 100 hairs a day, or is accompanied by fatigue, cycle irregularities, or scalp issues, medical evaluation is required.

Conclusion: Autumnal hair loss is usually a rhythm, rarely a problem

Frequently Asked Questions About Autumn Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss in autumn in women: Is this normal?

A certain amount of seasonal hair shedding is considered normal. In an analysis of 823 women, the proportion of hair in the shedding phase was highest in the summer, with a smaller peak following in the spring. A dermatologist estimates that the affected portion accounts for at most about 10% of hair. It only becomes conspicuous if the loss persists for months or the part becomes visibly thinner.

How long does hair loss in autumn last?

None of the sources we reviewed provide a fixed duration for the purely seasonal component. According to StatPearls, the duration of acute telogen effluvium, a related pattern with a clear trigger, is usually less than six months. If the increased hair loss persists for several months, a doctor should look for other causes.

When does hair loss in autumn begin?

Hair typically falls out weeks to months after entering the resting phase. Dermatologist Hans Wolff cites a delay of two to four months. Because the peak of the resting phase occurs in summer, the increased shedding is often noticed in autumn.

How much hair does one lose per day in autumn?

Losing about 60 to 100 hairs per day is considered normal, even in autumn. According to StatPearls, losing more than 100 hairs in 24 hours suggests telogen effluvium. How many hairs per day are still normal also depends on the total number of hairs.

What helps against hair loss in autumn in women?

According to dermatologist Golnaz Delir, no treatment is usually necessary for purely seasonal hair loss. It makes sense to rule out other triggers: check ferritin, TSH, and blood count, review medications, and avoid crash diets. Products with proven efficacy exist for pattern hair loss, not for seasonal loss.

Which vitamins help with hair loss in autumn?

No vitamin has been proven as a remedy for seasonal hair loss. Low vitamin D levels occur more frequently in cases of hair loss, but studies on treatment with vitamin D are currently lacking. In the best available study, biotin showed no benefit over a placebo. Supplements should only be taken if a deficiency is measured.

Is there also hair loss in spring?

Yes, the analysis of 823 women found a second, less pronounced peak of hair in the shedding phase in spring, in addition to the summer peak. The proportion was lowest in late winter. According to the authors, the difference is smaller than the summer peak.

Which blood values should I have checked for hair loss in autumn?

Iron, ferritin, and TSH are useful, as is T4 if necessary. StatPearls also mentions a complete blood count and transferrin saturation. Vitamin D may be useful if there is a suspected deficiency. Biotin should be discussed with the practice before having blood drawn because it can falsify some laboratory values.

When should I see a doctor for hair loss in autumn?

If the loss persists for several months and significantly exceeds 100 hairs a day, or if you notice bald or patchy areas, itching, redness or scaling of the scalp, as well as cycle irregularities, severe fatigue, or weight changes. It is also worth investigating after starting new medications, following a feverish infection, or after a diet.

Is hair loss in autumn a sign of iron deficiency?

Not automatically. Iron deficiency is a known trigger for diffuse hair loss. However, the seasonal rhythm was identified in the trichogram study after excluding illnesses and hair-loss-triggering medications, so a deficiency is not the only explanation. Only the ferritin value indicates whether iron stores are low. Iron should not be taken without blood test results.

Read More

• Hair loss in women: What blood values, guidelines, and studies really show
• Hair loss after birth: What ferritin, iron, and studies really show
• Iron for women: Requirements, dosage, and signs of deficiency
• Vitamin D3 dosage: How many IU per day really make sense
• Autumn fatigue: What studies show about causes, nutrients, and effective countermeasures
• Biotin effectiveness: What studies on hair, skin, and nails really show

References & Scientific Citations

• Kunz M, Seifert B, Trüeb RM – Seasonality of hair shedding in healthy women complaining of hair loss, Dermatology (2009)
• Live Science – Hair loss searches peak in summer (Report on Kwatra et al., Br J Dermatol 2017)
• Wolff H – Haarausfall in der Praxis – was tun?, Arzneiverordnung in der Praxis 42(1) (2015)
• Hughes EC, Syed HA, Saleh D – Telogen Effluvium, StatPearls, NCBI Bookshelf
• Trüeb RM – Zu viel oder zu wenig Haare, Dermatologie & Ästhetische Medizin (Rosenfluh)
• Yongpisarn T et al. – Vitamin D deficiency in non-scarring and scarring alopecias, Frontiers in Nutrition (2024)
• Yelich E et al. – Biotin for Hair Loss: Teasing Out the Evidence, JCAD (2024)
• DGE – Reference values: Vitamin D
• DGE – Reference values: Iron
• Cochrane – Measures for female hair loss, CD007628 (2016)
• inFranken – Haarausfall im Herbst: Was steckt hinter dem Phänomen (with Dr. Golnaz Delir)
• Heidelberg24 – Haarausfall im Herbst: Sind Sie „Fellwechsler“? (with Prof. Hans Wolff)
• Dr. Eric Berg – The Causes of Hair Loss
• Dr. Josh Axe – How to Stop Hair Loss

Source transparency: The mentioned physicians and authors are used as perspective sources. We categorize statements on diagnosis and treatment primarily based on overview studies, reference values, and clinical trials. Three details are derived from press reports (Kwatra et al. via Live Science, Wolff via Heidelberg24, Delir via inFranken) rather than from the original publications, which could not be accessed. Expert opinion, observational data, and clinical evidence of efficacy are not equated. This article was written independently; the mentioned figures were verified against the linked sources.