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Alopecia is the general medical term for hair loss, and it has many different causes. Normal human hairs can be classified according to their phases of growth. Anagen is the growing stage of hair, while telogen is the sleeping stage of hair. About 80 percent of the hairs in the human scalp are growing hairs and about 20 percent of them are sleeping hairs. It has been estimated that the scalp normally contains about 100,000 hairs. Therefore, the average number of hairs that can be lost in a day is about 100. Contrary to popular belief, neither shaving nor hormonal changes, such as menstruation, has any effect upon hair growth.
Hair loss can be broken down into several different types, including alopecia areata (temporary hair loss in a coin-shaped patch), telogen effluvium (temporary hair loss secondary to a stressor on the system), and androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss). For the purposes of our discussion, we will focus on male-pattern hair loss. It generally shows itself in the 20s or early 30s by gradual loss of hair, chiefly on the top of the head and in the angles at the frontal hairline. There are several different patterns to this hair loss, but male-pattern hair loss is the most frequently encountered type. The exact mechanisms are still unknown. We have no doubt, however, that inherited factors and the effect of androgens (male hormones) on the hair are most responsible.
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Hair loss usually becomes a problem for women when they reach age 30. The condition becomes more serious or noticeable as they grow older and especially when they reach their menopausal stage. While in men the problem is usually attributed to a combination of genetics and hormones, for women it is rarely caused by genetic composition. Hormones do still play a role, however, alongside other factors. The difference between primary causes may be due to the dissimilarities in the way sebum or oil builds up in their scalp and the angle of hair follicles.
Possible Causes of Female Hair Loss
For females the problem starts out with hair thinning rather than having bald patches. Receding hairlines may also occur in some cases.
Birth Control Pills
If you noticed yourself suffering from hair loss about the same time you started or stopped taking birth control pills, you should consult your doctor immediately. Losing hair is one of the possible symptoms of contraceptives. A change of brand or a completely different type of contraceptive may be in order.
Improper Hair Habits
The way you comb or brush your hair can result into hair loss if you don't take care to do it properly. There are also a lot of things that you do and take for granted, things that are already damaging your hair. Trichotillomania, for instance, is a hair condition that results in loss of hair due to excessive pulling. Hair pulling can develop into a mannerism or unconscious habit that is difficult to stop. Traction alopecia, on the other hand, is due to improper hairstyles or anything that exerts too much pressure on hair follicles.
Medications and Treatments
Certain medications and treatments have hair loss as a possible side effect. The most obvious example would be chemotherapy, one of the most commonly used treatments for cancer. If you are terribly worried about your condition, you should consult your doctor and see if a change of medication and treatment is still possible.
Postmenopausal Trauma
The menopausal stage is a trying time in a woman's life. It is often a painful stage with physical, emotional, and psychological symptoms. Hair loss is just one of the many things you may start to suffer from at this point in time. Rest assured, however, that your hair loss is only temporary and will come to pass.
Pregnancy
Hair loss is a symptom of this delicate stage in your life. You could experience it during or after pregnancy. But as it is a natural part of things, you shouldn't worry about it and whatever hair loss you've experienced will be replaced by your body as soon as possible.
Diseases
Illnesses, diseases, and medical conditions like those affecting your liver or thyroid, anorexia, anemia, high fever, bulimia, fungal infections, and zinc deficiency are just a few examples of what could count hair loss as a symptom. In such cases, it's imperative that you treat the underlying condition and not hair loss itself.
Hair Products
If you use too much of the wrong kind of hair color, perm products, or shampoo, you run the risk of eventually suffering from hair loss and try to avoid excessive blow-drying, especially when using hot air.