Male pattern baldness is commonly expected, but women experience hair loss, too. About 40 percent of those adults losing their hair are women, according to the American Hair Loss Association. The experience can be especially damaging psychologically for women, many of whom consider their hair to be a crucial aspect of their identities.

It’s normal to lose between 50 and 100 strands of hair per day, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, but if hair falls out in clumps or if the scalp becomes visible, the hair loss is considered abnormal and can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Abnormal hair loss can occur for several reasons. Menopausal women are likely to experience hair loss because the body’s estrogen levels begin to dip. Autoimmune conditions like lupus, thyroid disease and diabetes can also trigger hair loss. A blood test can diagnose these conditions, so it’s important for people experiencing significant hair loss to visit their doctor.

Significant hair loss can be triggered by severe emotional or physical trauma, such as after a surgery, divorce or loss of a loved one. This condition is called telogen (TELL-uh-gen) effluvium (eff-FLU-vee-um). In this case, hair loss is usually temporary.

How can women stop hair loss? If the hair loss is caused by a medical condition, medication can help turn the tide. If it’s caused by telogen effluvium, hair loss subsides within a few months, and the hair begins to regrow. In both cases, medicated shampoos can help jumpstart hair growth.

Female hair loss can be scary, but with patience and treatment, luxurious locks can return.