Symptoms of Female Hair Loss

Hair loss affects approximately one third of all women, the same percentage as men. The pattern of loss on the scalp is not the same as in men, which allows women to more easily disguise the condition. Ninety percent of hair is growing at one time. When this cycle is disrupted, hair loss and weakness occurs.

Symptoms

• Female hair loss is not normal if more than 100 hairs are lost per day. Female pattern baldness (known as androgenetic alopecia) is limited to hair loss or thinning in the front of the scalp, in the crown area and down the sides. The hair line in the front is generally maintained, and complete baldness is rare.

Causes

• Hormones in women play the largest role in the loss of hair, making it common during and after pregnancy and in menopause. Protein is needed for hair growth and a lack of protein in a diet will cause hair growth to cease. Hair loss is also caused by stress on the body from anemia, stress in a person's life, eating disorders,and drug abuse. Medical conditions that cause hair loss include thyroid or liver problems. Hair loss may result from allergies or excessive hair treatments that damage the hair and follicles.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosing hair loss is done through an examination of medical and family history and a physical exam. A hair-pull test involves pulling on an area of hair to see how many hairs fall out at one time. A scraping of the scalp rules out an infection to the scalp or follicles. Additional diagnosis for alopecia includes a punch test where a section of scalp skin is removed to examine the skin layers.

Treatment

• There is no cure for permanent hair loss; however there are treatments to assist with lessening the effects. A patient must also treat the cause of the condition to stop additional hair loss. The most effective medication to stimulate hair growth is Minoxidil in a 2 percent solution. Minoxidil may take up to six months for visible results. Natural treatments to stimulate hair growth include vitamin B supplements for patients experiencing a B vitamin deficiency. Biotin is a common B vitamin used for hair loss, and it has no side effects. Treating hair loss with hair implants involves moving small sections of hair from areas that are active and growing and implanting them into the balding areas. There is a small risk of infection with this procedure.

Prevention

• To slow hair loss, follow a healthy lifestyle including eating a balanced diet and participating in a regular exercise program. Regular health checkups to evaluate medical conditions will keep hormone and other factors in check. Do not over-process or style hair, which includes wearing tight elastic bands. This will eliminate stress put on the scalp and hair follicles.