Hair loss in women is devastating. For women, much more than for men, their hair is very important for their physical appearance.
Unfortunately, female hair loss occurs far too often, however, it is not talked about as much as male hair loss.
Hair loss in women can be attributed to a variety of things. Knowing why hair loss occurs in women can help you prevent it from occurring.
One of the main reasons why women lose their hair or even go bald on their heads is because of hormones, or lack of them.
As a woman’s body slows down, or completely stops, the production of hormones, the body goes through a number of changes and this includes hair growth.
o Menopause: the onset of menopause signals the body to begin to decrease hormone production and, due to the reduction of hormones during menopause, more than two-thirds of postmenopausal women end up with bald spots as a result of hair loss . Consequently, female hair is best treated through hormone replacement therapy.
Before menopause, women produce large amounts of estrogen, which acts as a protective barrier to testosterone, which is also produced by women. As menopause continues, the estrogen that was being produced and countered by testosterone, slows down and eventually stops. As a result, testosterone combines with alpha reductase along with another enzyme in the body to create a chemical called DHT that causes hair loss.
o Hysterectomy: A hysterectomy often presents women with exactly the same problems as menopause, for the same reason as menopause, the body stops producing hormones. In a complete hysterectomy the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes are removed, other times parts can be saved and hair loss is not a problem.
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o Pregnancy: It could become thin or fall or, ironically, it could also thicken. Your hair may not only become thicker or thinner, but it may also have waves, or if your hair is curly, it may become straighter. If your hair becomes thinner or falls out during pregnancy, it is because you are not getting the nutrients your body needs. Without these essential nutrients, your body cannot make the amount of estrogen it needs. This is another reason to take prenatal vitamins.
Another reason why hair loss occurs in women has to do with genetics. If your mother or father had thinning hair or was balding, you likely have hair loss, too.
Other factors to consider are your diet, the nutrients you eat and the vitamins you take, too much protein can also be behind the problem. Also coloring your hair, lightening it, bleaching it, or using a variety of additional styling products over the years can cause hair loss.
There are treatments for female hair loss that will help the body metabolize testosterone. Rogaine works for both men and women. Another similar treatment is Propecia, although it is not generally recommended for women due to the birth defects it is known to cause. However, your doctor may find that it is fine for you after menopause or a hysterectomy.