Female Hair Loss
The most common form of female hair loss is Androgenic Alopecia, also
known as female pattern baldness. This is seen as hair thinning
predominately on the top and sides of the head. It affects one third of
all susceptible women, but is primarily seen after menopause, although it
is sometimes seen in puberty.
Normal hair fall is 100 to 125 hairs a day. Fortunately these hairs are replaced. True hair loss occurs when hairs are not regrown or when daily shed exceeds 125 hairs.
Genetic hair loss can come from either side of the family. There are
two different kinds of hair loss medically known as Anagen Effluvium and
Telogen Effluvium. Anagen Effluvium is generally due to medications such
as chemotherapy agents, poisoning the hair follicle. Telogen Effluvium is
due to an increased number of hair follicles entering the resting stage.
The most common causes of Telogen Effluvium are:
- Physical stress: surgery, illness, anemia, rapid weight loss.
- Emotional Stress: mental illness, death of a family member.
- Medications:high doses of vitamin A, blood pressure medication,gout treatments.
- Thyroid abnormalities
- Hormonal causes: pregnancy, birth control, menopause.
When the above causes are reversed or altered you should see a return to normal hair growth.
Diet
Considerations
Hair loss may also occur due to dieting. Franchised diet programs which
are administered by a physician with prescribed meals, dietary supplements
and vitamin digestion have become popular. Sometimes a client is told the
vitamins are a necessary part of the program to prevent hair loss
associated with dieting. From a dermatologist standpoint however, the
vitamins cannot prevent hair loss associated with rapid, significant hair
loss. Furthermore, many of these supplements are high in vitamin a which
may magnify hair loss.
Physical and Emotional
Stress
Surgeries, severe illness and emotional stress can cause hair loss. The
body simply shuts down production of hair during periods of stress since
it is not essential for survival and instead devotes its energy to
repairing vital body structures. In many cases there may be a three month
delay between the event and the onset of actual hair loss. Furthermore,
there many be another three month delay in the return of noticeable hair
growth.
This means that the entire cycle can last 6 months or longer when
induced by physical or emotional stress. There are some health conditions
that may go undetected that can contribute to hair loss. These include
anemia, low blood count and thyroid abnormalities. These conditions can be
confirmed with a simple blood test.
Hormonal
Changes
Hormonal changes are a cause of female hair loss. Many women do not
realize hair loss can occur after pregnancy or following the
discontinuation of birth control pills. It is important to remember that
the hair loss may be delayed by three months following the hormonal change
and another three months may be required for new growth to
appear.