Hair Loss In Women - Causes and Cures
Hair Loss Causes In WomenWe hear a lot these days about male pattern baldness but female pattern baldness affects 1 out of every 4 women in the United States. Hair loss in women can be even more troubling than for a man. Hair loss is generally accepted as a normal part of the aging process in men, but this is not the case for women. Lack of a beautiful head of hair can be especially devastating to a woman's self-esteem.
Hereditary thinning, also called alopecia, accounts for 95% of female hair loss. While many women believe that the use of hair dryers, hot curlers, or flat irons may be causing their hair loss, this is simply not the case. Harsh hair treatments or rough handling may cause the hairs to break off near the scalp, but this is temporary and cannot cause long term hair loss.
If you are experiencing thinning hair or excessive hair loss the first thing to look at is the possibility of a hormonal imbalance. Child birth may result in sudden hair loss. Often about three months after giving birth women experience excessive hair loss. This is caused by hormones and, though it can be alarming if you aren't expecting it, it's nothing to worry about. In fact, it's just your hair returning to normal. During pregnancy the normal part of your hair growth cycle in which older hair is shed to make way for new growth is retarded by high hormone levels. After you've given birth and your hormones begin the readjust, the extra hair is shed to make way for new growth.
Another hormonal factor that can cause hair loss in women is a thyroid imbalance. An over or under active thyroid gland can cause thinning hair. Out of balance estrogen is another culprit. However, with both of these conditions, once the hormonal imbalance is corrected, the hair loss should stop. If you suspect a hormonal imbalance is causing your hair loss, talk to your doctor.
Other factors affecting hair loss are extreme weight loss or gain, illness, high fever, or drug use.
The largest factor in female hair loss, however, is menopause. Prior to menopause only about 13% of women experience thinning hair. After menopause that number jumps to 37%. The reasons are two fold. During menopause many women's hormones are all over the place, and, as we have seen, hormonal imbalance can be a major factor in female hair loss. Additionally, many women begin taking supplemental hormones during or after menopause such as Progesterone. Progesterone inhibits the development of new hair follicles making the problem worse.
But why do some women experience thinning hair while others keep their flowing locks into their 90's? As in men, some women have a genetic predisposition. What is genetically determined is the level of an enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme is responsible for converting testosterone, a male hormone present in small amounts in females as well, into dihydrotestostrone or DHT, the ultimate culprit in hair loss for both men and women.
The good news is that there's a lot you can do to prevent and even reverse hair loss just by giving your body the right support.
In shopping for a product to prevent and reverse thinning hair, there are certain key ingredients to look for:
* Vitamin B6 is at the top of the list. Studies have shown that B6 promotes hair growth and prevents hair loss. You want to be sure that you're getting enough.
* Biotin is, quite simply, food for your hair. It helps promote healthy skin, hair, and nails. A biotin deficiency, however, has been shown to cause hair loss.
* Magnesium is absolutely essential for hair growth and studies show that most women aren't getting enough in their diets.
* Horsetail promotes good blood circulation to the scalp which stimulates hair growth. Did your mother ever tell you to brush your hair a hundred strokes before bed each night? The old wives' tale has some truth to it. The action of brushing stimulates the scalp bringing blood to the hair follicles. Horsetail does the same thing.
* Para-aminobenzoic Acid or PABA is also important to hair growth and health. It is even capable in some cases of returning gray hair to its original color!
Thinning hair can be very distressing for women. Fortunately, unlike men, we generally just experience a general thinning and don't find ourselves going bald in large and prominently placed patches--so take heart and then do something about it. If you've ruled out hormonal imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, or hair loss due to sudden illness or weight fluctuation, chances are your thinning hair is genetic. But that doesn't mean you have to live with it. Find a quality supplement that will nourish your hair from the inside out and correct the deficiencies that are leading to female pattern baldness. You can look forward to many more years of beautiful hair.
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