Hair Loss in Women
Research shows that up to two thirds of women experience hair loss at some
stage in their life and this can often be a very stressful time for women
and is an integral part of their self image.
The most common causes of hair loss in
women is not related to inherited genes but usually associated with
other factors such as pregnancy, stress, chemotherapy, certain diets, thyroid
hormone deficiency, some drugs or infections. Unlike men the hair loss
in this case is usually temporary and healthy re-growth can occur over
time.
Unlike men, women rarely go bald but may experience significant thinning
and reduction of the hair shaft diameter around the forehead and crown of
the scalp as they age.
If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from hair loss the most
important factor is to understand why you are losing your hair before you
seek out a remedy or solution.
Causes of hair loss:
1. Genetics: The most common cause of hair loss is rooted in your genes
also known as androgenetic alopecia, hereditary hair loss can begin any time
after puberty, but usually sets in before the age of forty and may accelerate
around the time you reach menopause.
2. Pregnancy: A large amount of oestrogen is produced during pregnancy causing
the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the birth is over
the hormonal balance is restored and the opposite happens with the hair follicles
going into a hair loss phase.
3. Alopecia areata: The reasons for this are relatively unknown but research
has shown that the cause is thought to be an auto immune disorder where the
body mistakenly attacks the hair follicles. What follows is an inflammation
of the follicles and surrounding hair structures. This causes the hair follicles
to retreat into the deeper layers of skin shutting off an important nutrient
supply, the follicles starve and the hair starts shedding followed by a dormant
period.
4. Stress: Another common reason for hair loss in women is stress as known
as Telogen Effluvium. What happens is that the growing healthy hairs enter
the resting (telogen) phase of hair growth. The hairs matrix appears to stop
dividing causing the hair to begin falling out. Women in their 40’s
to 60’s will be affected by this kind of hair loss.
5. Drugs or Supplements: The most common drug treatment that causes hair
loss is Chemotherapy. This kind of medication attacks the hair cells of the
matrix causing 90% hair loss from the scalp. Prescription drugs are also
known to thin hair out. These can be Blood thinners, high blood pressure
and cholesterol drugs. Some dieting supplements can also be causes of hair
loss.
6. Hair pulling: Also known as trichotillomania. Unlike other types or hair
loss this is not a medical but more a psychological disorder. There are literally
millions of people around the worlds that suffer from this condition. These
are mostly adult women that suffer from low self esteem, anxiety, depression
or are dissatisfied with their bodies. This condition can be treated with
counselling.
