We usually associate baldness with middle-aged men, but many people don't know that women also suffer with the same problem. What causes hair loss in women can be attributed to several factors that will be discussed in this article. When a woman loses her hair, it's usually unnoticeable because they tend to disguise the condition by using wigs or weaves.
At the first sign of hair loss, a woman should immediately consult a doctor because it is imperative to establish the cause. If the cause is detected early, the condition may have a chance of being reversed before permanent balding occurs. Unlike men, women have a better chance of reversal.
The medical term for hair loss is alopecia. Women often get traction alopecia from wearing hats, very tight weaves and even by certain hairstyles. Traction alopecia results from continual stress on the hair follicles caused by long term use of corn rows and weaves. Eventually the hair will start falling out.
Even tight-fitting hats will put strain on the follicles. Alopecia in men is also frequently caused by hats that fit too tightly. Women wishing to keep a full head of hair should therefore take heed of these causes. The bottom line is don't put undue stress on your hair for long periods of time.
Hormonal changes and menstruation can also cause women to lose hair temporarily. This is known as telogen effiuvium which, in layman's terms, simply means temporary hair loss. High stress levels (emotionally and physically) plus thyroid problems and side-effects caused by certain medications can also cause telogen effiuvium.
Another variety of alopecia in women is alopecia Areata. This is an uneven spread of hair loss that can be the result of mineral or nutrient deficiencies which weaken the immune system; hence the follicles are unable to offer any resistance. This can often be rectified with a balanced diet as well as vitamin and mineral supplements.
You can now see why it is vital that you see a doctor at the first sign of loss or thinning of your hair. During menstruation many women have thinning of the hair. This can be a side-effect of oral contraceptives, or when menopause approaches. Your doctor can prescribe medication to help.
Alopecia in women can also be hereditary and, as with alopecia in men, the overall cause is attributed to high levels of testosterone. The body then converts this over-production to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which gradually kills the hair follicles. Scientists are still trying to find a way to prevent this.
Do you really want to cure your hair loss problems?
John Farikani is an expert on what causes hair loss in women.
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