Baldness Facts - Hair Loss in Men and Women
Hair Loss In WomenThe problem of hair loss is first noticeable in terms of thinning hair and eventually it progresses to partial or complete baldness. A large number of men and women are affected with hair loss. The problem becomes quite bothersome especially when it strikes people at young age. This is because many men and women lose self confidence along with their hair loss.
The attractiveness of their face and overall personality diminishes and they start looking older than their age. While some people tend to take hair loss in their stride, many others become extremely conscious about their hair loss. They tend to feel nervous especially when meeting people of opposite sex. Read this article to learn about important facts regarding the causes of hair loss in men and women.
Fact 1 - Baldness affects men
Hair loss affects both men and women however, women are fortunate in the sense that they may not experience total baldness. In men, the main cause of baldness is the condition known as androgenetic alopecia or male pattern baldness. This is caused because of an increase in the levels of DHT in the body.
Unnaturally high levels of DHT cause the hair follicle to shrink so that the growth of new hair is inhibited. The DHT is formed in the body due to the action of enzyme type II 5-alpha reductase on male sex hormone testosterone. The male pattern baldness may progress to partial or complete baldness in men. Though women also suffer from androgenetic alopecia the condition rarely leads to total baldness. In women, the hair becomes thinner all over the head but the hairline does not recede.
Fact 2 - Estrogen may help women
Though women don't become bald they may suffer from significant overall thinning and a reduction in hair shaft diameter. In women, the thinning of hair is particularly more profound around the forehead and crown of the scalp as they age.
Most women tend to suffer from hair loss in their 40s or with the onset of menopause. In fact, the majority of women report hair loss after menopause. This is because estrogen levels decline in the skin with age.
Prior to the onset of menopause, various forms of estrogen block the conversion of testosterone into DHT. This helps to keep the DHT levels low in the body. However, when a woman reaches the menopausal stage, her estrogen levels begins to decline hence more testosterone is then bio-available to be converted to DHT, this results in a shorter hair growth cycle, finer hair and eventually, general shedding of hair. In addition, as women enter their 80s and 90s, the follicle itself can shrink and stop producing hair completely. Therefore estrogen therapy can help control hair loss in post-menopausal women.
Fact 3 - There are many causes of baldness or hair loss
Apart from increased levels of DHT, various factors may cause hair loss in men and women. Some of the leading causes include -
- Hereditary factors; baldness may run in families
- Exposure to harmful chemicals
- Environmental pollution
- Very tight hairstyles
- Menopause
- Because of hormonal changes after delivery of a child
- Stress, depression
- Effects of certain medicines and medical conditions
- Iron deficiency may also cause thinning of the hair
- Radiotherapy applied to the head for the treatment of certain cancers can cause baldness of the irradiated areas
- Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, typically frontal
- Hyperthyroidism can also cause loss of hair which is parietal rather than frontal
Conclusion
Hairs are an important part of your personality. They help to make you look attractive and give you self-confidence. It is important to take care of your hair. You can take care of your hair by taking a well-balanced diet, keeping your hair clean and well-combed, keeping them free of dandruff, by reducing stress in your life and by doing regular physical exercise.
If you notice excessive hair fall, consult your doctor immediately. If you start the treatment early, you can control hair fall to a considerable extent. There are various effective treatments available for both men and women. You may also browse for hair loss treatments online. Do a little research to find out which treatment will be most effective for you.
Author of this article also provides information on Provillus for women and HairMax Lasercomb Advanced 7