Have you noticed there's more hair on your brush after brushing it, that your parting looks wider, or that your ponytail feels feels less substantial than it used to? Once you notice hair thinning, its hard not to think about it every time you look in a mirror.

Some hair loss is normal we shed approximately 100 hairs a day but what to do when it's a significant amount? Hair thinning and loss in women can have many causes, and are often a combination of factors. It's especially common as we hit mid-life. Here we explore some of the most common causes and share expert tips on what to do when you start to lose your hair.

Dozens of medical issues from autoimmune conditions and hormonal imbalances to scalp infections and genetics can cause hair loss and thinning . A doctor or trichologist can carry out a full medical history, blood tests and a scalp biopsy to help you work out whats causing it.

Androgenetic alopecia or female pattern hair loss is by far the most common a quarter of women have it and youll notice it as thinning especially at the crown and the temples. It happens when a sensitivity to male hormones (androgens) causes follicles to shrink over time. "The hair becomes thinner until eventually the follicle closes over altogether," explained Dr Martin Wade a dermatologist at The London Skin and Hair Clinic.

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If it starts in your teens, its considered to be genetic. If it starts in midlife, from 35 to 55, it can be a combination of factors including hormonal changes and lifestyle, which a doctor can help you to unpick.

Post-menopausally, its also called senescent alopecia, which basically means were getting older and everything slows down.

But all is not lost... "In genetic cases, some of the smaller follicles can recover with anti-androgenetic drugs such as finasteride or spironolactone," says Dr Wade. For mid-lifers, topical minoxidil such as Regaine For Women, can help the hair grow thicker and faster.

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When the hair falls out in patches, its often down to alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that affects 2% of women. "Its still largely a mystery as to why it strikes, although stress is a known trigger," said Dr Wade. "We can treat it with steroids and in most cases, the hair grows back."

We might think our hair is essential, but in evolutionary terms its the first thing that the body deprioritises when were in crisis. Crash diets, illness, divorce or the loss of a loved one can lead to diffuse (ie all-over) hair shedding called telogen effluvium. Dr Wade explained: "Stress shocks the hair prematurely out of the growth phase and into the resting phase." You might notice less hair overall or wonder why your hair just wont grow as long as it did. "If the stress is acute, typically the shedding lasts for three months and then turns itself off," Dr Wade said.

If stress is ongoing, then its another story. "There is absolute association between chronic telogen effluvium and stress," confirmed Dr Justine Hextall of the Tarrant Street Clinic in Arundel. "Addressing the causes of your stress is imperative. Often when were stressed we also dont eat well, so looking at diet and supplements as well as whether you might be pulling at your hair due to stress can all help."

Even the type of exercise you do can add to your stress load. Consider choosing yoga over HIIT.

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In the meantime, there are a range of cover-up solutions. Try hair fibres such as Nanogen Hair Thickening Fibres or Toppik Hair Building Fibres, or hair makeup such as the Bumble and Bumble Color Stick.

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As we move towards menopause and oestrogen levels drop, theres less of a buffer against the effect of male hormones on our follicles. As we know from female pattern baldness, a sensitivity to androgens causes the follicles to miniaturise and die over time.

There are products to tackle this topically: Plantur 39 Shampoo and Tonic have a phyto-caffeine complex to fight the effects of testosterone on the hair root, while Tricho 7 Step 2 scalp drops by Philip Kingsley contains zinc sulphate, azelaic acid and vitamin B6 to reduce the conversion of testosterone.

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Its important to support the adrenal glands too, says nutritional therapist Eve Kalinik, not only because they are overworked at this often stressful life stage, but because they step in to produce sex hormones as the ovaries retire. "This causes a knock-on effect on hormonal balance, which can manifest as hair loss or thinning," she explained.

Supporting the adrenal glands with anti-inflammatory healthy fats, B vitamins and anti-oxidant vitamins (A,C,E) is vital to make us more stress resilient.

There are some nutrition basics when it comes to hair health says Eve. "Hair is mostly protein, so make sure you get a serving with every meal, using your palm as a measure of the amount you need, which depends on your own body size," she explained. Omega 3 fats, found in oily fish, organic eggs, flax, chia and walnuts, nourish the follicles.

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Vegans should soak pulses, legumes and grains before cooking to gain the maximum protein and iron from them.

Iron too (in red meat, full fat dairy, eggs and lentils) is vital to nourish healthy hair. Runners may need extra iron due to "foot strike haemolysis" where red blood cells are damaged by the impact of running. You may also be low on iron if you have heavy periods.

What you eat is only the first piece of the nutrition/hair puzzle. "You are also what you absorb," Eve explained. "A poorly functioning digestive system can be a sign that were not getting hair nutrition from our food. Light coloured floating stools can suggest that your gut is not absorbing fats, for example." Eve often recommends a stool test for a fuller gut health picture and liquid probiotics such as Symprove to support the gut.

If you have hair thinning or shedding and youre also tired with dry skin and gaining weight, Eve recommends a blood test to check your thyroid.

Switching up your haircare routine can make a big difference to hair health. Most experts agree that heated styling tools are a no-no for fragile hair, so cut down your use or cut them out altogether. Avoid products with silicones, too (look for anything ending in "cone" on the label) recommended hairdresser Paul Windle. "Silicones are sealants," he explained, "They are what gives you that fake 'plastic' shine. You think your hair is healthy, however, the silicone merely masks the problem." They can also weigh down fine hair.

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Keeping the scalp clear of build-up can help those ever more delicate menopausal hairs push through. Try Briogeo Scalp Revival, which is silicone-free with detoxing charcoal to clear the scalp from dead skin, pollution and product build-up, or Kerastase Soothing Scrub Apaisant , which is designed for sensitive scalps with an uplifting citrussy scent. Beware of scalp oils however, Dr Wade cautioned that they can have a toxic effect on the follicle.

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Everything you need to know about losing your hair as you get older - goodhousekeeping.com

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