Hair Loss in Women
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You may be surprised by just how many women are affected by hair loss at some point in their lives. In the medical field, the scientific term for hair loss is alopecia, and there are several different subtypes. The six different subtypes include androgenetic, areata, fibrosing, diffusing, scarring and universal alopecia.
The most common type of alopecia in women is androgenetic alopecia. Androgenetic alopecia doesn't discriminate based on age or sex, as it is caused by genetics and sex hormone production. This type of alopecia can be officially diagnosed when a doctor examines the scalp via biopsy, blood tests or a combination of both.
Thinning or balding on the top and crown of the head are indicators of androgenetic alopecia. Continue reading below for more information about the causes of hair loss in women and strategies for combatting hair loss and promoting hair growth.
What causes hair loss in women?
The different causes of hair loss are vast and complicated, but a few causes are relatively common. While not an exhaustive list, two main factors contributing to hair loss in women are hormonal issues and medications.
Hormonal issues
Hormonal changes in a woman's body are among the first and most likely culprits of hair loss. Throughout a woman's life, when estrogen and progesterone levels get lower and androgen levels get higher (usually during menopause), women can experience hair loss. These hormone changes cause follicles to shrink, hair to fall out more quickly and hair to grow slower. This combination can lead to hair loss in women.
Medications
Certain medications, like chemotherapy drugs used to fight cancer, can also cause hair loss. These drugs cause hair loss by changing the cycle of hair growth the scalp normally goes through. Two phases occur when the scalp is growing new hair: the anagen phase where hair grows, and the telogen phase where the hair rests and then falls out. Drugs can interrupt the anagen phase and cause hair to fall out prematurely.
Strategies for combatting hair loss in women
Hair loss in women affects more than just a woman's scalp. Hair loss in women almost always affects a woman's self-esteem, emotional well-being and body image. With this in mind, it's no wonder that losing hair is often a traumatic experience for women. In lots of societies across the world, healthy hair is seen as a sign of femininity. The good news is that you can try several different treatments and lifestyle changes that have evidence to support hair growth and slow the process of hair loss.
Ask your doctor about minoxidil
Minoxidil is a medication shown to improve hair loss patterns in women. Minoxidil is effective because it shortens the telogen phase of hair growth and supports and lengthens the anagen phase. Minoxidil is applied topically, and many women have seen improved hair growth during and after use.
Use gentle styling techniques
It's also essential to avoid certain hairstyles and styling techniques that can contribute to hair loss, such as tight hairstyles, heat styling, bleaching and coloring and sleeping with wet hair. All of these habits are very damaging to hair, and if hair loss is an issue, employing gentle styling techniques will be incredibly beneficial to protect your hair and create the best environment for new hair to grow.
Eat a healthy diet
Hair health begins from the inside out. The diet you eat can have a significant effect on the health of your hair. Eating a whole-food diet rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, B12, iron and biotin can also help combat hair loss. Women have seen the best results when a healthy diet is paired with minoxidil and gentle styling techniques.
