Stress Causes Hair Loss

Is hair loss common amongst women? I recently experienced quite a bit of hair loss. I thought it was due to my long hair and cut it shorter. I even tried female pattern hair loss therapies but my hair still continued to drop by the handfuls everytime I took a shower. My hairdresser told me the hair loss is probably due to stress! Maybe I should stop buying hair loss treatment products and book myself a relaxing holiday instead!