Hair loss in women is most often very gradual and is more easily affected by hormonal changes, medical conditions, and external factors. Hair loss in women is no less distressing than in men. In fact many women become very self conscious about their thinning hair and can very uncomfortable in the presence of others.
Around two thirds of women have some type of hair loss at one point or another in their lives. Unlike men, women do not usually go bald. More often women's hair loss is limited to the thinning of the hair especially around the crown area. A receding hair line is rare in women. Thinning for most women usually appears around middle age, which is when most women begin to produce less estrogen. However, thinning hair can begin for some women at a much younger age. It usually starts with the hair follicle becoming thinner, revealing more skin. Then the hair will begin to fall out at a rate that is higher than one hundred strands a day (fifty to one hundred is typical hair loss).
Reasons for hair loss include physical, emotional, and genetic conditions. Hair loss can occur from many common causes that most women do not even think of. The causes are varied and can depend on many factors. Here are some of the more common factors so you can identify what may be causing your hair loss.
The most common is stress. The number of women who suffer from stress and hair loss is growing. Our daily lives are full of stressful activities concerning the job, the home, family, friends and relatives. Stress leads to various health conditions which cause hair loss. Traumatic events such as surgery, death of a family member, divorce, or shock after an accident, can cause female hair loss.
Also, taking a new medication, such as high blood pressure medications, birth control pills, antidepressants, and blood thinners, may make your hair fall out as well, so if it is three months after you started taking these pills (three month is how long it will take for you to notice a major change) and your hair is falling out you may want to call your doctor.
Along with stress and medication, another reason for hair loss could include: poor diet, sudden weight loss, lack of proper nutrition, iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, thyroid imbalance, major illness, chemotherapy, ringworm, and some fungal infections.
Hormonal changes in the body are a common cause of hair loss for women, such as the increase of testosterone occuring during menopause. Progesterone is another hormone that precisely targets the hair during menopause. Progesterone levels decrease due to the lack of ovulation in the female body. It compensates by producing extra androstenedione, which prevents hair growth. Usually hair will return to its original thickness following menopause.
Coming off birth control pills and pregnancy can cause hair loss. Women may experience hair loss 2-3 months after having a baby.
Harsh hair treatment such as pulling with brushes, tight braiding and styling with irons and straighteners can be a cause of female thinning hair. Thinning hair can also be the result of chemicals in certain styling products.
Finding what has caused your hair loss will greatly increase your chances of finding the right treatments to help re-grow your hair.
Causes Of Hair Thinning In Women
There are already an increasing number of health conditions that pester the lives of many people and and one such condition is hair loss. You may think that this is not a serious problem but you'd better think twice. It may not be life threatening but it can cause a lot of embarrassment and some social awkwardness.
Hair loss is classified into different types. It is more commonly referred to as alopecia or baldness. You can't possibly treat it if you don't know the cause of the problem. This is the most common mistake many females commit when treating hair loss. They fail to identify the underlying causes of the problem.
Telogen effluvium is a common hair loss type which can occur in diffuse patterns. This condition exhibits hair shedding in the scalp and other parts of the body. Another type of hair loss has something to do with hormone production in the body and it is called androgenic alopecia. According to experts, this condition is largely brought about by the genetic predisposition of an individual. Androgenic alopecia is more noticeable in women when they reach their forties. 5 a-reductase and aromatase are the two enzymes that responsible for androgenic alopecia. In this condition, women experience hair thinning especially on the side and crown areas.
Alopecia areata affects about 2% of the United State's population. It is considered as one of the immune diseases that often begin with small circular bald patches. If left untreated, the small patches will lead to extensive and chronic hair loss.
Some women feel that they lost their feminine side because of alopecia areata so you must act on it immediately. Don't wait until it's too late and the condition is already noticeable. The blood cells, particularly the white ones, attack your hair follicles which causes your hair to shed in large quantities.
Slight hair thinning can still be tolerated by women but total loss of hair is terribly heartbreaking. Since alopecia cannot be cured, a lot of women spend large amounts of money to consult hair specialists and use popular hair loss products sold in the market. They are unaware that without proper identification of the root cause of the problem, no amount of products can restore their lost hair.
Unhealthy care for your hair can lead to hair loss. Washing, brushing, and too much combing can break your hair strands. You must therefore have good caring habits for your hair. Make sure that you take vitamins to keep your existing hair healthy to prevent further shedding.
Other treatments may include therapies like anthralin or topical immunotherapy. Then there are surgical procedures like hair replacement, scalp reductions, and hair transplantations. Some of the popular products sold in the market are Rogaine or Minoxidil, Propecia, and Dutasteride. There are also natural treatments that you can turn to like herbal remedies and other natural hair loss products. You can also start keeping your body healthy by getting the proper amount of exercise and eating a balanced diet. A healthy body will also lead to healthy and beautiful hair.
The causes of hair loss in women are somewhat similar to men but there are also specific causes like pregnancy and menopause. If these two are the major causes, then you will not need any form of medication because as soon as the body functions return to normal, the hair cycle will also be restored. Your hair will start to grow normally again.
Both Rick Harvey & John Tulley are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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