While it is almost expected that most men will experience some hair loss, it is commonly believed that women are not supposed to lose their hair - their crowning glory. Most women who suffer are confused and embarrassed when it happens to them. One in two women experience some degree of thinning in their lifetimes and is therefore much more common than most people think.
Women's Hair Loss Philosophy
The good news for women is that, unlike for men, a large percentage of women's hair loss is reversible. However, diagnosing female hair loss is more complicated than for male pattern baldness. The underlying causes should be examined and tested for by your family physician to accurately diagnose.
Women seldom become bald in the way men experience balding. Rather, women commonly experience overall thinning and miniaturized shafts on the top of their heads as they age. At around age 40 or at the onset of menopause is most often when women notice a significant change in their hair quality.
For most women, thinning is hormonally related. It may be the after effects of menopause or pregnancy or an overactive thyroid, but there is usually an identifiable reason why women experience thinning. Identifying what that reason is and evaluating your options is your first step in dealing with it.
Symptoms of Female hair loss:
1. Thinning over the entire head.
2. Mild to moderate loss at the crown or hairline.
The most common baldness in women is called female pattern alopecia, and can come either the mother's or father's side of the family. Female pattern alopecia affects approximately one-third of all susceptible women, but is most commonly seen after menopause and is caused by a decrease in estrogen levels. Various forms of estrogen can "oppose" androgens and thereby reduce their availability to the cell, by blocking androgen receptors. A woman who notices miniaturization may not be sure if the loss is going to be temporary or permanent - for example, if there has been a recent event such as pregnancy or illness that may be associated with temporary thinning.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Here is a list of some of the most common causes for hair loss in women (in no particular order):
#1. DHT: In both women and men, the most common reason for thinning hair is thought to be an accumulation of DHT (dehydrotestosterone) at the root bulb of the hair follicle. The ultimate result is a shorter life cycle of hair leading to miniaturization and eventually shedding.
#2. Hereditary/Genetic: Commonly known as Androgenetic Alopecia, hereditary balding is more common in men than in women. While it can occur in women, most female hair loss is caused by other factors.
#3. Hormonal changes/imbalance: Over/under active thyroid glands and imbalanced estrogen levels can contribute to hair loss.
#4. Pregnancy: 2 to 3 months after pregnancy women often experience significant amounts of thinning.
#5. Drugs/Medications: Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can result in sudden loss as the growth phase of hair is suddenly stopped. Birth control pills, arthritis medications, blood thinners, certain drugs for ulcers and antidepressants can also cause weakening of follicles.
#6. Physical trauma: Aggressive toweling, rough combing when wet, extreme scalp massage or pulling causes hair to grow back finer and lead to permanent death of follicles.
#7. Intense stress: Usually temporary in nature, extreme physical or emotional stress can induce a period of shedding.
#8. Hair products/chemicals: Perms, hair coloring, ponytails, tight braids, hot oil treatments chlorine in swimming pools, too much sunlight and excessive shampooing can all lead to weakened follicles.
#9. Poor Blood Circulation: insufficient nutrients reaching follicles through the blood stream.
#10. Imbalanced Diet: While not usually a direct cause, too little protein or iron can lead to shedding. Strenuous dieting can lead to hair loss especially if you have thinning hair to begin with.
While correctly diagnosing the cause is a key aspect of treatment, the timing of the treatment program is also important. In almost all cases, the earlier treatment begins, the better the result.
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