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Causes of Alopecia in Women

By the age of 40, more than 40% of women have experienced some hair loss, as part of the aging process. There are two types of hair loss, permanent or androgenetic alopecia and temporary, alopecia areata. While there is no cure, identifying the cause and determining the treatments can considerably slow the progression of hair loss.

  1. Alopecia Areata

    • Temporary hair loss, commonly known as alopecia areata, normally occurs as a natural part of the aging process. It is the most common type of hair loss in women and usually stops within a few months. A shock to the body, either emotional or physical, can cause telogen effluvium. This hair loss is caused when roots become inactive. As hair falls out, new hair fails to grow. The problem usually corrects itself after a few months.Some medications, or medical treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation can also cause hair loss.

    Androgenetic Alopecia

    • Permanent hair loss in women, androgenetic alopecia, is more rare. This type of hair loss usually affects the crown and sides of the head, combined with overall thinning of the hair. Complete baldness is rare in women. A family history of female baldness increases the risk of hair loss. Skin conditions, such as Lupus, can trigger permanent hair loss when the scarring inside the hair follicle prevents new growth.However, for some, additional blood tests may be required to find the cause of continued hair loss.

    Treatment Options

    • Treatments are available to prevent or slow down hair loss. Unfortunately, there are few over the counter remedies for hair loss for women. One of the most popular is Minoxodil, which is commonly known as Rogaine. It's available in a cream form without a prescription. It may take six to eight months to see results. Alternatively, your physician may prescribe medication to counteract the production of male hormones, such as estrogen, progesterone or spironolactone, which can slow down hair loss.

    Keeping Hair Healthy

    • One way to prevent or slow down hair loss is to keep your hair and scalp as healthy as possible. This means eating a nutrient-rich, balanced diet. Some vitamins, such as A, B6, Folic Acid, E and C have been known to help overall hair health by improving blood circulation and collagen development.

    Wigs and Hair Replacement Therapy

    • For many, hair transplants or replacement surgery provide the only effective solution. Although this is available for some women who experience thinning of their hair overall, it is not an option for women with widespread hair loss or large bald spots. This can be an expensive solution, and it may take up to a year to see results. Great developments have been made in the area of hair enhancement. Wigs, hairpieces and extensions can be created that look and feel exactly like human hair. In fact, some more costly hairpieces actually consist of human hair.

    Coping with Hair Loss

    • Coping with sudden hair loss can be difficult, especially for women. To help ease fears and concerns, speak with a physician as soon as possible to determine the cause and possible treatment options.Talk to friends and family about your condition. People are often willing to offer suggestions and comfort if they know what you're going through. Consider joining a support group to discuss problems and concerns with others going through similar experiences. The National Alopecia Areata Foundation has information on support groups across the nation at www.naaf.org.

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