Treatments and Causes of Female Hair Loss
Female hair loss is most often attributed to the condition ‘androgenetic alopecia,’ or female pattern baldness. About one-third of susceptible 
women will experience androgenetic alopecia. Although most cases happen after the women have reached menopause, it can be seen much earlier. Not all cases of hair loss are from this specific condition, and there are treatments available for all kinds of hair loss. Androgenetic alopecia is most often seen as thinning hair, but can be seen as bald spots or receding hairline and crown hair loss.
Two Types of Female Hair Loss
The two types of female hair loss are called telogen effluvium and anagen effluvium. Telogen effluvium is due to more hair follicles entering the resting stage, the stage where the hair stops growing and falls out. This is the most common type of hair loss, and is often attributed to genetics.
Anagen effluvium is usually caused by medications or chemotherapy, which kills good cells and poisons the hair follicle. This type can also be caused by hormones, thyroid disorders, physical or emotional stress, or certain medications.
Causes of Female Hair Loss
Female Hair Loss and Dieting
In some situations, female hair loss can occur because of an individual’s diet habits. Fad diets are very popular lately, and many of them restrict calories in the extreme. Because these diets suggest certain types of food and feature demanding meal schedules, individuals miss out on important vitamins. These diets can also cause a shock to the body resulting in female hair loss. Unfortunately, those who attempt to gain vitamins through supplements can end consuming too much vitamin A, which is also responsible for hair loss.
Physical and Emotional Stress and Women’s Hair Loss
Female hair loss can also be caused by physical or emotional stress. This happens when traumatic or stressful things happen and the body diverts all its energy in dealing with that problem. Experts suggest that individuals will experience the result of that stress three months later. As things level back out, the body will begin producing hair again, but that could take another three months. This can make it difficult for a person to determine precisely what the cause of their hair loss is.
Hormones and Their Role in Womens Hair Loss
Hormone changes in the body can account for a percentage of hair loss in women. After pregnancy, many women will notice that their hair begins to ‘shed’ a lot faster than it did previously. A similar effect can occur after women have stopped taking birth control pills. This type of hair loss can also be delayed three months, so it may take some time to notice new growth. However, in this situation, hair almost always begins to grow again.
Treatments for Female Hair Loss
There are several treatments for female hair loss. Certain medications that block androgens are often used to treat this condition. Propecia and Minoxidil are the most common of these, but Propecia is prescribed for men only. Nizoral/Ketoconazole is an antifungal that has been shown to help treat hair loss, and is sometimes used for this purpose. Other drugs originally intended for another purpose but found to help treat hair loss include Cyproteterone Acetate, Tagament/Cimetidine and types of water pills.
Hair loss in females is often considered more traumatic than hair loss in the male counterparts. Since longer, fuller hair is considered a sign of feminine beauty, losing the hair can hit harder. However, there are numerous treatment options available. Women who arm themselves with knowledge can overcome their hair loss and be happy. To treat your female hair loss, start treatments early to have with fuller, thicker hair.
