Hair Loss in Women

In today’s society, a woman’s crown is her hair. Celebrities flaunt their locks and everyday women strive to have their hairstyles reflect those famous images. Hair can be a reflection of personal style and taste. This is one of the reasons why women hate to see those strands flow down the shower drain.

The fear of hair loss has been and always will be a major concern for women. While baldness is almost expected in men, it's not thought of as common in women. However, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, at least 50% of women in the United States will at some point in their lives experience hair loss before the age of 50 years old. These numbers can be frightening, but thankfully there are things that can be done to minimize or even reverse hair loss.

Top Causes of Hair Loss in Women

Thinning hair over time is a normal process of aging. However, excessive hair loss can result in baldness, especially when the rate of loss exceeds the speed of regrowth. The normal hairs shed per day is anywhere between 50 and 100 strands. When hair loss becomes more prevalent, baldness can occur. In women the most common causes of hair loss have a lot to do with environment. However, hormones and heredity may also play a role.

Medical treatments

When a person undergoes treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, alopecia or hair loss may occur. When the treatment series ends, the hair typically grows back. But during the treatment baldness in women is common. The healthy growing hairs can be affected by radiation which causes the hair to fall out. Many women opt to wear wigs during this phase.

Poor nutrition

Poor nutrition can affect the growth of your hair. Women who lack adequate amounts of protein or iron in their diet may suffer from hair loss which can ultimately result in bald spots or patches. Poor nourishment is commonly seen in women because they're more inclined to participate in crash or fad diets. An all fruits and veggie diet may sound great on the surface but without the appropriate protein nourishment baldness may arise.

Certain medications

Birth control pills are among the most common medication that causes symptoms of hair loss resulting in baldness. Other medications that cause hair loss or baldness are certain arthritis drugs, depression treating drugs and meds used to lower blood pressure. Synthroid, the drug commonly used to treat hypothyroidism has also been linked to cause hair loss in women.

Hormonal change

Hormonal changes in women are one of the most common causes of hair loss. During pregnancy or menopause, women experience a hormonal imbalance that may be associated with too much or too little estrogen or testosterone levels in the system. Most of the time the hair loss is temporary and the hair grows back once the woman is no longer pregnant or has gone through the menopausal cycle.

Scalp issues

Scalp issues such as infections may cause bald patches in women. Ringworm is a common fungal infection that can infect the scalp, hair and skin. When treated with antifungal medication the hair typically grows back but in the meantime can leave a nasty bald spot that is anything but appealing.

Hair chemicals

Women routinely get their hair done. They often prefer new styles which result in a change in color. Chemicals used for coloring, highlighting, bleaching, straightening, curling or tinting can cause damage to the hair follicles. The damage may result in breakage or harm to the hair shaft. Over-styling and immoderate hair brushing may also cause the hair to fall out.

The Best Treatments for Hair Loss in Women

Whether hair loss is permanent or temporary there are things that can be done to stimulate hair growth and mask the current hair loss. In some cases, no treatment is needed because hair growth resumes on its own. Some of the best treatments for hair loss in women include:

Medication

Medication is not always needed when you witness the onset of hair loss. Most of the time, a quick tweak of the diet or the elimination of stress will do the trick. But, in the event of a more serious condition, hair loss can be treated either over the counter drugs or prescription medication. Common drugs used to treat hair loss include Rogaine, Propecia, Dritho-Scalp or Corticosteroids.

Surgery

Surgery to treat hair loss can be quite expensive and is only done in the most severe of cases. The goal of surgery is to utilize your own hair to cover the bald areas. Both hair transplant and scalp reduction surgeries are the most common.

Wigs

A less expensive means to deal with hair loss, especially in women, is to obtain a natural wig. As an alternative to medicine and surgery, or if the hair did not respond to surgery, a wig can be a viable consideration. Natural looking wigs are available and provide the wearer with a sense of confidence that they would not otherwise have.