Hair Loss and Women

Before menopause, about 13 percent of women experience hair thinning. After menopause, reporting of the problem from women increases to about 37 percent. A common type of hair loss in women is androgenetic alopecia, which is related to hormone levels in the body.

There’s a large genetic predisposition, which may be inherited from the father or mother. Another important cause of hair loss in women is a condition called alopecia areata, an autoimmune disease that affects more than two per cent of the population. In this, the hair follicles are attacked by white blood cells.

What is with the “Circle of life?” I mean, sometimes it all seems like one sad, cruel joke.

We start off as tiny babies, who can barely even do anything worthwhile. Well, that is unless you count drinking milk, crying, sleeping and pooping worthwhile. So maybe the crying part is pretty cool. We then progress to the stage of adulthood, which goes well for a while, but then something happens. We begin to deteriorate. Yeah, that’s what I said, and you know what I mean. Our bodies have trouble staying fir, our metabolism slows down significantly, our teeth get yellow, wrinkles appear on our faces, and our hair falls out. What in the heck is this all about? Soon we’re back in jumbo sized diapers and barely walking.

However, there are things we can do to prevent and even treat most of these things. Well, except maybe the jumbo sized diapers. You’re on your own with that one. But dilemmas such as tooth decay, weight gain and hair loss can be dealt with accordingly. Now, women’s hair loss may be a whole different subject.

What do you know about women’s hair loss? Sure, you are probably thinking to yourself, it’s the same thing as men’s hair loss. We both have heads that are covered with hair, but then one day the hair falls out. Granted, this is true.

Women’s hair loss is certainly not as common as men’s. One of the commonest forms of hair loss in women (and men) is a condition called telogen effluvium, in which there is a diffuse (or widely spread out) shedding of hairs around the scalp and elsewhere on the body. This is usually a reaction to intense stress on the body’s physical or hormonal systems, or as a reaction to medication.

Causes of Female Hair Loss

The MSNBC Today Show’s: Natalie Morales talks with “Today”  One cause of hair loss in women can be hormonal imbalances. Having an overactive or under active thyroid gland may cause thinning hair. Treating the thyroid disease will usually help this type of female hair loss. Hormones can also cause hair loss if female hormones (estrogens), are out of balance causing women’s hair loss. However, if the hormone imbalance is corrected, the hair loss should stop.

Child birth may result in sudden hair loss in women. It’s common for many women to notice hair loss after pregnancy – immediately 3 months after they had a baby. This too, is caused by hormones. But this is not something to worry about. During pregnancy, hair shedding during the normal hair cycle is retarded in by high levels of hormones. Once the hormones have returned to pre-pregnancy levels, this extra hair is shed with the normal cycle of hair growth and loss returning over time.

Hair Loss from Menopause and Hormonal Therapies — causes of female hair loss can come from hormonal therapies such as Progesterone, a female hormone that inhibits the development of a new follicle. Hair loss and menopause are commonly linked and result in thinning hair in older women. Before menopause, about 13 percent of women experience hair thinning. After menopause, reporting of the problem from women increases to about 37 percent.

One thing that is a sad truth regarding hair loss is the stereotype. It’s a casual deal when men lose their precious dews. Indeed it does suck, and any man would prefer to keep his hair throughout eternity, but if it should decrease or go away, the man learns to deal with the burden. Society doesn’t really pick him apart or call him a loser. It’s far too common for that. However, what about women’s hair loss?

Have you ever given women’s hair loss some serious thought?

The general public does not see this affliction as normal in any way. In fact, many women are virtually ostracized for losing their beautiful locks. It’s just one of those features that’s a crucial part of being female. Society has made it this way. Regardless, women’s hair loss is a problem for some. Fortunately there are more hair regrowth treatments available now days to deal with this burden.

-Credits: Herbal Nourish Natural Alternative Hair Loss Treatments

P.S. Check our our thinning hair section for some essential hair loss hair care.

  0 comments for “Hair Loss and Women

  1. Simran
    March 13, 2008 at 10:53 am

    I totally share the same sentiments as expressed by this blogger!! why do women have to undergo all this!! However, i’ve come to discover a magic potion that can significantly stop hairfall caused due to the various reasons listed above! Its COCONUT OIL!! It works wonders for the hair, nourishing it from within and providing all the essential nutrients and proteins needed for strong, healthy hair. Its much better than using harmful chemical-based products, which will only add to the hair loss.. i strongly recommend everyone to try coconut massages regulalrly and see the difference!

  2. Tom
    April 18, 2008 at 11:05 pm

    It’s too bad there isn’t a cookie cutter approach to fixing this problem of hair loss with women. I agree that women definitely gets the short end of the deal altogether. But by and large there are a number of options that women can look at and see which one might get her back on track with hair regrowth.

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