Hair Loss in Women Over 60

Hair loss is a problem that affects many women, especially those older than 60. It can cause many problems, such as low self-esteem and unhappiness. There are a number of reasons for hair loss and a number of treatments. Once you have determined the source of your hair loss, you can begin to do what you can to treat it.

Causes

• Forty percent of women have experienced hair loss by the age of 60. Female pattern baldness is associated with aging. Temporary forms of hair loss can be caused by illness, stress, some medications (including ibuprofen) and major surgery.

Temporary Hair Loss Treatment

• Once the reasons for temporary hair loss have been discovered and dealt with, the hair loss should slow down over a period of six to eight months. This is as true for women older than 60 as it is for women younger than 60, as only female pattern baldness causes hair loss that will not eventually be replaced by new hair growth.

Female Pattern Baldness

• Female pattern baldness has some links to aging. Female pattern baldness occurs when hair from all over the head begins to thin. However, the hairline at the forehead is maintained and only moderate baldness usually happens at the crown of the scalp. Minoxidil is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to combat female pattern baldness, but it only works on 25 percent of the population. Hair loss in women older than 60 may also be caused by an under-active thyroid gland.

Hypothyroidism

• Hair loss in women older than 60 can be a symptom of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland at the front of the neck does not produce enough thyroid hormones. These hormones are vital in the regulation of metabolism, and an inadequate amount can cause symptoms such as hair loss and a loss of appetite. Hypothyroidism tends to affect people older than 50. It is usually treated by oral doses of artificial thyroid hormones.

Hair Transplants

• Some women over the age of 60 who experience hair loss decide to treat the problem by having hair implants. This involves taking hairs from areas where hair is still continuing to grow and implanting them in areas where hair has thinned. This procedure can cause some scarring and infection of the implant area. Cosmetic surgery is not usually covered by health insurance, so talk to your insurance company, as well as consulting a doctor, before making any decisions.