Female Hair Loss

Facts about Female Hair Loss
Female hair loss is a problem that is more widespread than most people think. Unlike men, women rarely become “bald” in the true sense, but many experience significant overall thinning and a reduction in hair shaft diameter, particularly around the forehead and crown of the scalp as they age. Most often, this pattern begins to develop at around age 40 or with the onset of menopause. In fact, before menopause about 13 percent of women experience hair loss or thinning. After menopause, reporting of the problem from women increases to about 37 percent.

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Do you feel that you are the only one with female hair loss? More widespread than was once believed, it is estimated that over 25 million American women suffer the effects of female hair loss and the emotional distress it causes. For many individuals, hair loss is not just a rather mysterious biochemical process, but an integral part of a positive self image.

The most common causes of hair loss in women are not related to inherited genes, but to temporary metabolic problems associated with pregnancy, unusual stress, chemotherapy, crash diets/anorexia, thyroid hormone deficiency, major surgery, severe infection or high fever. Certain drugs can also take their toll on once lush and healthy tresses. However, these conditions are usually temporary, and once the “trauma” is alleviated, the hair shedding stops and healthy regrowth occurs with time.

For females, the mechanism of the condition is similar to that of the males. the source of the androgen is the combined activity of the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Female hair loss can many times be directly related to pregnancy or menopause and their effects.

Why do some people seem to have more extensive hair loss than others? recent research suggest that the answer has something to do with the differences in the concentration of 5-alpha-reductase in skin and hair follicles of people who have androgenetic alopecia. It is possible that some people just produce more of this enzyme, which in turn converts more testosterone to DHT, which will result in greater hair loss. Also, some people just develop greater sensitivity of androgen receptors in their hair follicles. This means that a certain concentration in others with less sensitive androgen receptors in the follicles.

B. Women's Hair Loss

It is probably the best kept secret: hair loss in females is a common thing. As mentioned above, the most common type of women's hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, The female pattern baldness is seen as hair thinning predominantly over the tope and sides of the head. Androgenetic alopecia in women is most commonly seen after menopause, although it may begin as early as puberty. How can you be sure that you're not actually experiencing hair loss? Normal hair falls approximately 100-125 strands per day, true hair loss occurs when the loss is not replaced or when the daily hair shed exceeds 125.

Suddenly hormonal changes when starting or stopping contraceptives, starting or ending a pregnancy, the start of menopause, all has been characterized as the promoter of androgenetic alopecia. The two key events in a life of a woman might promote this onset: pregnancy and menopause. WHY? Simply because menopause causes permanent changes in hormone production, the adrenal glands also undergo changes during menopause. the overall result is a reduction of "androgen antagonist" such as estrogen and a net increase in androgen, as we have elaborated before, androgen is directly responsible in hair loss.

I. Myths About Female Hair Loss

Be careful in believing everything that you hear about the cause of hair loss! for example, have you ever heard those that say that shampooing your hair too often will make you lose hair? Well, contrary to popular beliefs, that is NOT true, Here is a list of myths that you do not need to believe regarding hair loss:

1. permanent hair loss is caused by perms, colors, and other chemical treatment
2. Shaving your head will cause hair to grow back thicker.
 3. Dandruff causes permanent hair loss
4. Stress causes permanent hair loss.
5. Female hair loss does not occur in the late teens.
6. hair loss affects only intellectuals
7. Smoking causes hair loss (research on this topic is only preliminary and does not give a supported explanation of why smoking might promote hair loss)
8. Standing on your head will stimulate hair growth
9. Androgenetic alopecia is inherited from mom (in other words, you can inherit the gene for baldness from mom or dad)


II. Some other causes of female hair loss

1. Physical stress - surgery, major illness, rapid weight change
2. Emotional stress - mental illness, death of a loved one, job layoff
 3. Medications - high dose of Vitamin A, blood pressure medications, gout medications
4. Hormonal changes - pregnancy, birth control pills, menopause
5. chemotherapy


DISCLAIMER: this information given on this site is for general information only. It should not be considered as medical advice and with all physical conditions you should always consult a health care professional.