Reasons for Female Hair Loss

Many women suffer from hair loss. This can be an embarrassing and frustrating condition for women, and many have no idea where to turn for help. There are several reasons for hair loss in women, and the condition can usually be treated.

Identification

• According to The American Academy Of Dermatology, hair loss affects 30 million women in the United States. Some women may have a genetic predisposition to early hair loss, and some will experience "female pattern hair loss," which is still widely misunderstood. In some women, hormonal disturbances can cause hair loss. It is important to get a correct diagnosis, in order to treat hair loss effectively.

Types

• Female pattern hair loss often occurs around the whole top of the head. Men more commonly lose hair at the temples and crown. Another common cause of hair loss in women is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This is a hormonal problem in women and may not show any other signs other than hair loss. Pregnant women and women who have recently given birth can also have Telogen Effluvium. This can cause the hair to begin to shed, and is caused by the trauma of childbirth. It can also occur with extreme stress, infection, major surgery and malnutrition.

Medications

• Oral contraceptives are often the culprit when it comes to female hair loss. Women who are predisposed to hair loss or have an extreme sensitivity to hormonal changes in their body should be wary of using birth control pills. While the American Hair Loss Association recognizes that the birth control pill is safe for most people, many do not know that this type of contraception can cause hair loss. The American Hair Loss Association recommends that all women use low-androgen index birth control pills. If you have a genetic predisposition to hair loss, the Association recommends choosing a non-hormonal contraceptive choice.

Prevention/Solution

• There is a wide variety of topical treatments available on the market today to treat hair loss. Minoxidil 2 percent topical treatment has been proven effective in clinical studies for women 18 to 45 years of age with mild to moderate degrees of hair loss. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed for the treatment of androgenic alopecia for women in menopause. Propecia was the first treatment approved for male hair loss, and has been used for treating hair loss in women as well. Women who try this medication must not get pregnant, as there is a risk of serious birth defects associated with the drug.

Considerations

• Early treatment is often the key to success with female hair loss. It is important to identify the cause of hair loss in order to treat it. Many treatments take several months to work as hair needs time to grow. It may take several treatments in order to see results with any hair loss treatment.