It’s a common misconception that hair loss is exclusively a male issue, but this is simply not the case; women experience hair loss, too.
With all of the importance and emphasis placed on women’s hair and its links to femininity, experiencing hair loss as a woman can have a profound effect on your mental health and your self-esteem too. Hair loss in women can be attributed to several causes, some of which are more easily remedied than others. Let’s get into it.
The 4 Main Forms Of Alopecia
Alopecia is simply the medical term for hair loss, with four main types. There are multiple others, although they tend to be rarer. Firstly, androgenetic alopecia, or female pattern baldness, is genetic and tends to be the leading cause of hair loss among women. As opposed to the receding hairline seen in men, female pattern baldness tends to present as a general thinning.
Next, alopecia areata describes hair loss, which is limited to patches, there may be one or more patches of hair loss, but the hair overall retains its thickness. Cicatricial alopecia is caused when the hair falls out, and the follicle is replaced by scar tissue and, therefore, no longer viable. Lastly, traumatic alopecia is when the hair falls out as a result of trauma either to the hair itself or to the psyche.
Health Conditions Which Cause Hair Loss
In addition to alopecia, there are several other medical conditions that include hair loss in their list of symptoms. Hair loss is usually a result of hormone disruptions, immune system reactions or skin conditions.
Any condition that affects the thyroid, like hyper or hypothyroidism, Hodgkin’s, hypopituitarism or Hashimoto disease, can all cause hair loss. Lupus, ringworm, celiac disease and Addison’s may also present as hair loss. Lichen planus, trichorrhexis invaginata and scleroderma may also lead to hair loss, too.
In addition to these health conditions, there is also a natural process that most women will go through in their lives that can cause hair loss, and that is menopause. During menopause, the production of progesterone and oestrogen begins to dip, which can cause a tremendous toll on the body leading to hair loss. Interestingly, the same can happen when a woman comes off of her birth control pills, again because of the hormonal changes this can cause.
Stress & Hair Loss
Stress, either emotional or physical, can also cause hair loss. The stress might vary depending on the person; some people are better at dealing with stress than others. But generally, trauma like losses in the family or bouts of serious illness can cause the body to begin to shut down non-vital processes like hair production, which then causes thinning and hair loss. There may be a delay between the traumatic event and the hair loss, too, which can make it more difficult to pinpoint the trigger.
As well as psychological trauma, physical trauma may also cause a condition called telogen effluvium, which essentially is temporary hair loss. This commonly manifests after childbirth, with a lot of women experiencing postnatal hair loss, but it may result after any number of physical instances of trauma. Chronic illness, infections, mental or physical stress and even crash dieting and weight loss can cause hair loss. On some occasions, it might not be the trauma itself but the medication prescribed to combat it that causes hair loss.
Diet & Hair Loss
There is also a lot to be said for your diet. Obviously, your diet has a number of effects on your appearance, but a lot of women are unaware of the links between their diet and their hair. If you aren’t meeting your nutritional needs, then your hair could be thinning as a result. Iron, protein and omega-3 are all invaluable for hair production and health.
Failing to meet your daily calorie requirements can also lead to thinning hair. This is because the body views sudden weight loss as trauma, and the fact that it often means that you are likely also suffering from a vitamin deficiency.
Read: 6 nutrients you may not be getting through diet alone
Treatments Options To Explore
Hair loss in women has a number of triggers, as outlined above. Truthfully, the cause of your hair loss will impact the right choice in treatment for you. If your hair loss is the result of a nutritional deficiency or a traumatic event, or even stress, then you might not require a treatment; the hair loss is likely to stabilise and then grow back after a few months have passed. On the other hand, if your hair loss is likely to be the result of genetics or another medical condition, then intervention and treatment are likely to be needed.
If your hair loss is a symptom of a medical condition, then treating the condition as opposed to the hair loss is the best choice. Once the condition is managed and under control, the hair loss should cease. If it doesn’t, you might need to consult your doctor and have your treatment plan assessed and amended.
Now, if your hair loss is classed as female pattern baldness, then it will need to be treated independently.
Here, the guys at Chemist4U explain some treatments for hair loss to explore…
- Minoxidil
Minoxidil is an over-the-counter topical treatment which can be purchased without a prescription. It is applied to the scalp directly, daily and after a few weeks – or months, depending on the person – results will become apparent. However, if you cease using this treatment, then the hair loss may resume. There are also a number of shampoos and other hair treatments which purport to promote hair growth, but their validity has yet to be determined.
- Corticosteroids
In previous years, oestrogen therapy was thought to help hair loss in women by subsidising their depleting levels. However, it is not very common in use anymore simply because other methods are more effective. Your doctor might also prescribe the use of corticosteroids. The steroids are injected into your scalp at regular intervals in order to promote hair growth. They can have side effects though, which is something that your doctor should outline to you.
Treatments For Men Which Aren’t Appropriate For Women
There are also a couple of treatments for hair loss in men, which are often seen as inaccessible or outrightly banned for female use. Firstly, the drug finasteride is often not prescribed to women because it can cause abnormalities for women in their prime reproductive years; it is also deemed unsuitable for menopausal and post-menopausal women.
- Hair Transplants
Lastly, hair transplants are often seen as a male operation and are therefore inaccessible to women, but hair transplants are arguably genderless and could be worth exploring, especially if you want to tackle your hairline. However, obviously, it is a surgery and therefore has side effects and risks which will need to be taken into account.
The Bottom Line
Female cases of hair loss might not be as common as it is among men, but it is still something that affects a lot of women. As a woman, society has always told you how integral your hair is to your femininity and your attractiveness, so it is no wonder that losing your hair can be so demoralising.
If you think that your hair is thinning and it’s something that concerns you, then it’s first important to work out the cause of the hair loss in order to come up with a solution. There are a number of treatment options and solutions for you to try out. Working with a doctor or dermatologist is likely to produce the best results.
*This article is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified health professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical or dietary enquiries, always consult your GP first*