What Are Some Causes For Hair Loss In Women?
Although we normally think of hair loss as a male problem, more than 30 million women in the US suffer from the same affliction.
There are many potential causes of hair loss in women, including physical and mental stress, medication, and hormonal causes.
The reasons for hair loss and thinning hair in women are typically different than the causes for hair loss in men.
How Much Is Normal Hair Loss For A Woman?
This depends on the age of the woman, although in general losing 100 hairs daily is not unusual when the hairs are replaced through the natural regrowth cycle.
Losing substantially more than 100 hairs daily without replacement is what is considered true hair loss.
Heredity and Genetic Reasons for Female Pattern Hair Loss
In many cases the causes of hair loss in a woman is due to genetics.
Androgenic alopecia, also known as female pattern hair loss, is a common inherited condition that can come from either parent.
For the many women who have the particular genetic disposition, the natural testosterone in their body combines with certain enzymes that exist in the hair cell.
This is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) which builds up in the hair follicle over time. As a result, the follicle begins to shrink and that causes a disruption in the normal hair growth cycle of growth, rest, and rebirth.
Female Hair Loss and Hormones : Pregnancy and Menopause
Both pregnancy and the onset of menopause influence hormonal patterns and can cause a reduction in estrogen. It is believed that the reduction in estrogen allows for more dihydrotestosterone within the hair follicle and hence the shorter hair growth cycle.
Other Possible Causes of Hair Loss in Women : Surgery, Illness, Stress
Hair loss can also occur when the body undergoes extreme stress, such as that due to surgery or illness.
The body can simply shut down the hair growth process since it does not see hair growth as vital for survival.
Shutting or slowing down the hair growth cycle allows the body more resources for repairing the body’s other more critical functions.
Effect of Diet and Vitamins
Another cause for hair loss can be due to diet. Some studies have shown that ingesting high doses of vitamin A, also called hypervitaminosis A, can accelerate hair loss. This is a somewhat rare condition and you need to be taking a lot of vitamin A for a prolonged period of time.
Determining the causes of hair loss in women is the first step to finding an appropriate treatment.
Always consult with your doctor or healthcare professional concerning any hair loss cause or treatment in women