Until recently, the problem of hair loss in women was considered abnormal. However, recent research has shown that it is much more widespread than previously thought. Some estimates say that 25 million American women (or more) experience noticeable hair loss and the often troubling effects that go with it. The causes of hair loss in women are somewhat different from those commonly found in men, and the emotional effects can be quite different as well.
appearance of hair loss in women
The appearance of hair loss in most women is usually different from its appearance in men. Women are usually not bald or partially bald, and they usually do not have bald spots on the crown of their heads. In women, hair loss usually appears as an overall thinning of the hair, both the amount of hair on the head and the thickness of each individual hair. Some women have mild hair loss, but it is rarely as obvious and noticeable as many men experience.
Emotional Effects of Hair Loss in Women
A woman’s self-esteem and sense of self are usually much more dependent on the way she looks than men. Of course, men find hair loss upsetting, but for women the emotional effects can be especially devastating.
When you consider how much money and effort goes into advertising women’s hair care products, styling products, cosmetics, and hair care tools like blow dryers and curling irons, it’s easy to understand why. Why do women find it so painful to experience hair loss? Our society places so much emphasis on looks, especially for women, that female hair loss can lead to emotional pain, anxiety, and even episodes of depression.
medical causes of hair loss in women
The most common causes of female hair loss are related to medical conditions and hormonal changes. While many are similar to those experienced by men, many are specific to women.
hormones Women experience far more hormonal issues than men, and at a much higher frequency. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause are situations unique to women that can affect the amount and permanence of hair loss and lead to baldness.
Medicine Many drugs can cause or contribute to female hair loss, including anti-depressants, blood thinners, birth control pills, anti-cholesterol drugs, and chemotherapy drugs.
illness / surgery – Many common diseases can cause female hair loss, such as diabetes and over- or under-activity of the thyroid, as can conditions that put the body under stress such as high fever or major surgery.
other reason Anemia, anorexia, bulimia, excess of vitamin A, fungal infections and zinc or fatty acid deficiency can also cause hair loss in women.
genetic causes of hair loss in women
Female pattern baldness, or androgenetic alopecia, is estimated to occur in 15% or less of American women. The chemical process in the body is similar, with the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) working together to shut down hair follicles. Even though the chemical process is the same, the appearance of hair loss in women is usually different, with women experiencing a general thinning of the hair rather than the bald spots or pronounced hair loss so common in men.
Some experts believe that differences in hair follicles between men and women may contribute to differences in the appearance of hair loss. In men, hair grows directly out of the follicle, causing oil and other secretions to build up on the scalp and block follicles. In women, however, the hair tends to grow at an angle to the follicle, allowing oil and secretions to drain more easily from the follicle.
Everyday Causes of Hair Loss in Women
Women subject their hair to many stresses on a daily basis which can lead to hair damage and hair fall. Some such female hair loss causes include:
o Harsh shampoos
o Hair coloring
o Hair bleaching
o Permanent waves
o Frequent use of blow dryers, curling irons and other heated appliances
o Improper or harsh brushing and/or combing
o Frequent wearing of tight ponytails, braids, and other hair restraints
While these things generally do not cause immediate or permanent hair loss in women, they often lead to dry, damaged hair that is more prone to breakage and thus appears thinner and more brittle. In women whose hair is already thinning due to the hormonal changes that come with aging, actions like these can have a big impact on the hair’s appearance.
proper diagnosis
Women experiencing hair loss should consult their doctor for an accurate diagnosis of the cause of their hair loss. In the case of an undiagnosed condition such as diabetes or thyroid problems, treating the medical condition can often stop and even reverse hair loss. If a doctor finds that hormonal issues related to menopause and aging are the cause, he or she is your best resource for information and advice about effective female hair loss solutions.
topical hair loss treatment
There is only one topical female hair loss treatment approved by the FDA for use by women – minoxidil. This drug is marketed under the name Rogaine and is readily available over the counter at most drug stores, grocery stores, and online.
Rogaine is effective in restoring hair growth and reducing the appearance of thinning hair in women, but it often takes several months before results are noticeable in most women. It is quite easy and convenient to apply in the privacy of the home, but it must be continued indefinitely for the hair to re-grow. If Rogaine use is discontinued, the hair that has regrown will be lost once again.
surgical hair restoration
Surgical hair loss treatments such as hair grafting are quite effective for male pattern baldness, but because the nature of hair loss is different in women, women are generally not good candidates for this type of treatment. Hair grafting is a process of removing hairs from actively growing areas of the head and transplanting them to areas of thinning and inactive growth. Because women tend to lose hair all over the head rather than in one concentrated area, grafting usually doesn’t have much effect. For women who have definite spots or patches of baldness, however, surgical treatment may be an option. It is best to consult an experienced hair restoration surgeon who will diagnose the cause and suggest a suitable solution.
Source by Julie-Ann Amos
