Hair loss is commonly associated with men. But according to the Harvard Health Publications, about one-third of women also experience alopecia or hair loss.
One important thing to know about hair loss in women is that it’s not just about the number of strands that falls off. It’s also about the decrease in hair volume brought by the shrinking of the diameter of each strand, which makes hair look a lot thinner.
REASONS FOR HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN
What causes hair loss anyway? Generally, hair loss in both men and women is caused by too much dihydrotestosterone (DHT), an androgen that shortens the growth cycle of hair. Although DHT is more dominant in men, the hormone is present in some women albeit in a lesser degree.
Contrary to popular belief, hair loss in women is not all due to genetics. Although heredity may have an effect on hair loss, there are other of factors that come into play. It’s important to seek the help of a trichologist and your general practitioner to rule out any underlying health condition that may trigger hair loss.
If you notice more shedding than usual, it’s a good idea to check if you show any signs of the conditions below.
1. POOR NUTRITION
Sometimes the answer to our common health woes can be as simple as having a balanced diet. If you notice you’re shedding more hair than usual, take note of what you have been eating (or not eating), and it will give you a clue whether your hair loss is brought by poor nutrition or not. A healthy mix of vitamins and minerals is essential to having strong, healthy hair.
Protein-rich foods help the hair go through its normal life cycle. When your diet lacks protein, hair jumps to its shedding phase and hair loss becomes apparent. Stock up your kitchen with fish, meat, cheese, eggs and nuts to get your recommended dose of protein per day.
2. TELOGEN EFFLUVIUM
We shed about 100 strands of hair per day. Sometimes we shed more hair than usual because of physical or mental stress or a medical condition. This usually causes telogen effluvium, a condition where hair prematurely jumps to the resting or telogen phase, and eventually, to shedding.
Telogen effluvium happens when hair is “shocked” by a number of external conditions and usually occurs within 3 months following a stressful event. It could also be a side effect of certain medications. Some women experience chronic telogen effluvium, in which clumps of hair fall off. If you suspect that your hair loss is due to prescription drugs, talk to your doctor about the possibility of switching to a different medication. If you believe your hair loss is stress related, try some stress-relieving activities to soothe your mind and body.
3. HYPOTHYROIDISM
Do you feel tired all the time? Have you ever wondered where all the unexplained weight gain came from? Are your nails and hair brittle? It’s best to have yourself checked for hypothyroidism, a condition where the body produces too little thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is responsible for healthy hair growth. When the thyroid hormone is off-kilter, people lose hair not just on the scalp, but also all over the body.
The good news is hypothyroidism is treatable. Your doctor may prescribe medications that will help regulate your thyroid hormone.
4. IRON DEFICIENCY
If you bleed heavily during menstruation or are pregnant, it’s likely that you could develop iron deficiency anemia especially if you don’t take iron supplements. Anemia happens when the blood lacks red blood cells that will transport oxygen throughout the body. Pale skin, weakness or fatigue, and brittle nails and hair are telltale signs of iron deficiency.
Having your serum ferritin levels tested can confirm whether you have iron deficiency anemia or not. A positive test doesn’t necessarily warrant panic, but you need to include more iron-rich foods into your diet and take iron supplements to boost your iron levels.
5. POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME
Losing hair on your scalp but are sprouting hair everywhere else? It might be time to pay your gynecologist a visit to rule out polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS. An endocrine disorder, PCOS is usually characterized by irregular menstruation, acne, and of course, cysts on your ovaries. Only your doctor can say if you indeed have PCOS, so it’s important to get tested.
PCOS often brings about massive hair loss, but it can be treated with birth control pills that contain anti-androgens. The pills work by blocking testosterone to reduce hair loss.
5. SCALP INFECTIONS
Itching of the scalp is usually attributed to dandruff or presence of head lice. But if it is accompanied by hair loss and soreness, the itching may be due to a scalp infection. Small, acne-like spots near the follicles indicate folliculitis, a common scalp infection that causes hair loss. Folliculitis is caused by bacterial infection and excess sebum on the scalp. Other scalp infections include ringworms, piedra, and seborrheic dermatitis.
To prevent scalp infections from weakening your hair follicles, you can use an antidandruff shampoo. It contains ketoconazole, an antifungal ingredient that stops bacterial infection from happening.
While the conditions above require medical attention, not all hair loss is due to an underlying health problem. Sometimes excessive styling, taking oral contraceptives and physical or emotional stress can also be reasons for hair loss. It’s recommended that you see a dermatologist or a hair doctor to see if you need to undergo tests to determine the reason for your hair loss.
HAIR LOSS TREATMENT FOR WOMEN
The topical solution Minoxidil is effective in stimulating hair regrowth. When massaged into the scalp twice daily, Minoxidil shows results within six months of use. However, this medication works for only as long as you use it. Once you stop, hair regrowth will also follow.
Antiandrogen prescription drugs like spironolactone and finasteride are prescribed to post-menopausal women. Because these drugs can cause birth defects, they are not prescribed to women who are in the child-bearing age. These medications work by blocking the male hormones testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, which are linked to hair loss. Alternatively, antiandrogen drugs are used polycystic ovarian syndrome and acne.
If both medications don’t work, the more expensive option is to go for a hair transplant. A hair transplant surgeon will take hair from one side of the scalp and transfer it to thinning areas. The procedure costs upwards of $3,000 in the US, depending on the number of procedures and grafts done. However, this method provides the highest rate of success for hair regrowth.
THE NATURAL WAY TO HAVE FULLER HAIR
The best way to prevent hair loss is recognizing the signs and getting help right away. Vanity reasons aside, our hair functions as a barometer for our health. Hair loss is usually a sign that there’s an underlying medical condition that needs to be addressed or that you need to be gentler in styling your hair.
While hair treatments like the ones mentioned above can boost the volume of your hair, they can also be costly. There are less expensive ways to keep your hair lush, and more often than not, the ingredients can be found in your kitchen.
Keep in mind that diet plays an important role in keeping hair lush. Poor nutrition zaps the hair of the essential vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy hair growth.
Some foods encourage hair regrowth, and it’s best to include them in meals to restore the vitality of your hair. Foods rich in protein are your best bet as hair relies on keratin (a type of protein) to grow healthy and strong.
Some foods encourage hair regrowth, and it’s best to include them in meals to restore the vitality of your hair. Foods rich in protein are your best bet as hair relies on keratin (a type of protein) to grow healthy and strong.
It’s also a good idea to switch to natural hair care products, which are gentler on the scalp and hair. Harsh chemicals in most hair care products can worsen hair loss as it they clog the pores on the scalp, and this weakens hair follicles.
The Biconi Hair Revitalizing Shampoo Bar helps encourage new hair growth. Made with virgin coconut oil and noni enzymes, this shampoo bar targets hair loss brought by hormonal imbalances. It cleans the hair effectively without stripping away all the oil from the scalp that keep hair healthy.
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