Hair Loss in Women

Hair loss is often thought to be a problem that affects only men, or those undergoing certain medical treatments. The reality is that forty percent of hair loss sufferers are women. Where hair loss is acceptable for men, it can be devastating for a woman. Because of this, there is a far greater psychological toll taken by hair loss in women.

Hair loss in women can be temporary or long lasting. If temporary, the problem can be easily remedied when the cause is identified and treated. Causes for loss of hair in women can include hormonal imbalances, disease, stress, pregnancy or medications. Women's hair loss could also stem from an imbalance in testosterone and DHT, which is a derivative of testosterone. Even though it is a male sex hormone women have a bit of it in their systems too, and DHT actually renders hair follicles useless.

Other causes could be trauma, such as childbirth or surgery, malnutrition, or extreme stress. Wearing hair in styles that pull the hair tightly can also cause hair loss in women, by putting stress on the follicles and damaging them.

Treatments for hair loss in women generally involve medications including:

- Minoxidil 2% Topical Treatment - first used in pill form to treat high blood pressure, Minoxidil has been found to stimulate hair growth.

- Aldactone/Spironolactone - a potassium-sparing diuretic, it reduces the amount of fluid in the body without causing the loss of potassium. It works for hair loss because it helps to balance hormones and prevents DHT from damaging hair follicles.

- Tagamet/Cimetidine - commonly used to treat gastrointestinal ulcers, blocks the effects of DHT, and balances hormones.

- Estrogen/Progesterone - commonly prescribed at menopause, it helps with balancing hormones.

- Nizoral/Ketoconazole - used commonly as a topical anti-fungal, it seems to work to balance hormones, especially testosterone.

- Propecia/Proscar - inhibits the production of DHT and helps to trigger hair regrowth.

It is very important when treating loss of hair in women that a full medical history be examined to determine the underlying causes. Hair loss in women can be devastating, but often the situation resolves itself on its own. If it does not, there are medical treatments available.