Zoloft & Hair Loss

I don’t think it’s the Zoloft. Stress can do a number on our hair! Covid too!

I don't have COVID, never did so far.
I did have a 40 pound weight loss over the past 11 months. Nutritionist says weight loss can affect hair follicles...never heard of this. And I lost it the old fashion way - no drugs at all.
Yes, I have been under enormous stress recently but suffering from a severe anxiety disorder for years now.
Never noticed hair loss until Zoloft - which started in November 2023...and my hair started to shed more and more over the past 6 months. What makes you believe it's not Zoloft? It is a side effect but it is an uncommon one. And I am approaching 70...could it be just a natural thinning of the hair because of age?
I really don't know but it's very disturbing for me.

I've been taking Zoloft for years with no problem, but I just recently started losing lots of hair. Dr confirmed it's because of the trauma I went through 3 months ago. I was practically bed ridden for 2 months due to sepsis from a kidney stone, the first one ever! I lost 30 pounds because I had no appetite because of the strong antibiotics. I'm taking "hair" vitamins, lots of biotin, but not much improvement. I read that stress causes hair loss and that hair growth goes thru 3 month cycles, so I won't know if it improves because of the vitamins or just over time.
Good luck!

Yes, @igl, I have been hearing again and again weight loss can cause changes in hair follicles with resulting hair loss.
And no doubt stress has something to do with it as well. When I was in my 50s I lost 25 pounds and my hair stayed just fine. No hair loss.
Now I am older...and experiencing lots of stress in addition to a 40 pound weight loss.
I am also taking biotin and collagen peptide powder mixed in drinks. My PCP just told me this combination does nothing. He recommended as my dermatologist did - Rogaine 5% for women. I use the foam & follow directions. The 2.5% strength does nothing...I was told.
It's been about 2-3 weeks and nothing so far. The instructions do say you usually see hair shedding for about 2-3 weeks in initial use. But it takes time for the hair to grow back! Months!
Sorry to hear of your truly awful medical ordeal and hope you are well on the road to recovery!
Good luck as well 🙂

I took Zoloft at one time and experienced no hair loss. It’s not listed as a side effect. My guess would be stress. It could also be due to genetics and aging. Could be all three. Do you take a beta blocker? Those can definitely contribute to hair loss.

Well, I take a beta blocker, I am looking at age 70 and my Dad, of course, lost lots of his hair - my Mom's hair (it was always so thick) became thinner when she was in her 80s.
And I am under terrible stress due to a situational family issue.
I think I checked off all the boxes! 🙂
Thank you for your thoughts...

I have been losing a lot of hair for the past 20 years. I have very thick hair so it isn’t noticeable, but i find my hairs everywhere. I jave been taking Zoloft for about 30 years- never thought about a connection between the two.

Yes, it seems the jury is still out on Zoloft causing hair loss. My psychiatric practitioner doesn’t believe there is a connection. However I have heard from doctors, nurses & other women that weight loss can cause it. But you have been on it 30 years. My 40 pound weight loss coincided with my hair loss. And ironically the start of Zoloft. So this is what I am experiencing the past year. All happening at the same time. I wish I could get a definitive cause of my hair loss. I, too, always had thick hair so it’s not that noticeable but I certainly can tell as well as my hair stylist. I was told stress plays a factor too as well as genetics. And aging. Wish I could get a definitive answer. Good luck to you in your hair loss journey.

Yes, my stylist also noted. He said stress mental and physical plays a role.