Women's Hair Loss Causes and Baldness
The most common type of hair loss seen in
women is androgenetic alopecia, also
known as female pattern alopecia or
baldness. This is seen as hair thinning
predominantly over the top and sides of the
head. It affects approximately one-third of
all susceptible women, but is most commonly
seen after menopause, although it may begin
as early as puberty. Normal hair fall is
approximately 100-125 hairs per day.
Fortunately, these hairs are replaced. True
hair loss occurs when lost hairs are not
regrown or when the daily hair shed exceeds
125 hairs. Genetically, hair loss can come
from either parents side of the family.
There are two different types of hair loss,
medically known as anagen effluvium and
Telogen effluvium. Anagen effluvium is
generally due to internally administered
medications, such as chemotherapy agents,
that poison the growing hair follicle.
Telogen effluvium, is due to an increased
number of hair follicles entering the
resting stage.
The most common causes of telogen effluvium
are:
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Physical stress: surgery, illness,
anemia, rapid weight change.
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Emotional stress: mental illness, death
of a family member.
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Thyroid abnormalities.
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Medications: High doses of Vitamin A,
Blood pressure and Gout medications.
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Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth
control pills, menopause.
When the above causes of telogen effluvium
are reversed or altered you should see the
return of normal hair growth.
Dietary Considerations
Hair loss may also occur due to dieting.
Franchised diet programs which are designed
or administered under the direction of a
physician with prescribed meals, dietary
supplements and vitamin ingestion have
become popular. Sometimes the client is told
that vitamins are a necessary part of the
program to prevent hair loss associated with
dieting. From a dermatologists' standpoint,
however, the vitamins cannot prevent hair
loss associated with rapid, significant
weight loss. Furthermore, many of these
supplements are high in vitamin A which can
magnify the hair loss.
Physical and Emotional Stress
Surgeries, severe illnesses and emotional
stress can cause hair loss. The body simply
shuts down production of hair during periods
of stress since it is not necessary for
survival and instead devotes its energies
toward repairing vital body structures. In
many cases there is a three month delay
between the actual event and the onset of
hair loss. Furthermore, there may be another
three month delay prior to the return of
noticeable hair regrowth. This then means
that the total hair loss and regrowth cycle
can last 6 months or possibly longer when
induced by physical or emotional stress.
There are some health conditions which may
go undetected that can contribute to hair
loss. These include anemia or low blood
count and thyroid abnormalities. Both of
these conditions can be detected by a
simple, inexpensive blood test.
Hormonal Considerations
Hormonal changes are a common cause of
female hair loss. Many women do not realize
that hair loss can occur after pregnancy or
following discontinuation of birth control
pills. It is important to remember that the
hair loss may be delayed by three months
following the hormonal change and another
three months will be required for new growth
to be fully achieved.
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