Female Hair Loss After a Stroke

(female)
I recently started taking alot of new medications after i had a stroke. Can drugs such as plavix and lisinopril cause hair loss? My hair is coming out by the handfuls every time I brush or wash it. I am a severe diabetic and also take medicine for that.

Female hair loss is different from male hair loss. Women rarely develop the typical balding pattern as men do. Moreover, female hair loss can be attributed to many different factors, including stress, hormone imbalance (menopause, thyroid disorders), anemia, autoimmune causes (lupus), etc. While men can certainly have the same issues, the cause of hair loss in men is mostly from genetic male pattern baldness (MPB).

You seem to have many medical issues, including diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure. They can all contribute to your hair loss and unfortunately there is no specific cure for it. Even if you stop taking the medication you will still lose hair and these very medications can be the cause of the hair loss. The best option to date for women is topical Rogaine (minoxidil), which you can try — and it is available over the counter. Even Rogaine will not solve your problem completely, though. I would discuss your issues with your physician and see if there are other issues (like low thyroid) that can be contributing to your thinning hair.