Reasons For Hair Loss In Women

Most women would agree that their hair is one of the defining factors in their overall ‘style’ - it's one of the first things people see. When hair starts falling out or thinning out, it can cause a damaging blow to the ego and can cause embarrassment – not to mention frustration. Depending on the severity, some women may not even want to venture out into public.

Hair loss in women is typically more spread out around the head, whereas men generally have areas that are affected first (normally called male pattern baldness). Men will start to see receding in the temple regions, on the top of the head, and at the crown of the head. Women will start to notice an overall thinning not just targeted to one area.

While it can be disheartening for a woman to lose hair, the good news is that in many cases the loss can be attributed to some underlying factor that can be treated. Once the underlying factor is taken care of, most women report their hair to start filling back in.

In men, hair loss can be attributed to genetics a lot of the time; the same is rarely true of women. Although, sometimes doctors can’t be sure of what causes hair loss in women, many times it can be determined by examining lifestyle, recent events, and other medical conditions.

• Excess dieting. Sometimes called ‘crash dieting’. Diet can play a major role in hair loss and overall hair health. Choosing a nutritious diet is very important, not just for hair health but, for overall health. Vitamins for hair loss in women can help somewhat, but may only mask the problem.
• Surgery. A recent surgery can cause temporary hair loss in women. When a person undergoes surgery, your body is pumped full of different types of medications that can have an impact on the health of hair follicles.
• Emotions. Emotions play an important role, especially if there has been a recent traumatic event, and hair loss will typically start to appear within about 2 to 3 months following the event.
• Thyroid. Thyroid problems can cause hair loss as well. When hormones in a person’s body start fluctuating, these changes can have a direct impact on hair health.
• Medications. Some medications can cause thinning of hair in women. Once the medication is not being taken any longer, your hair should start to re-grow and begin filling back in.

The previous list is examples of temporary hair loss and you should start to see re-growth shortly after – assuming the problems have been identified and corrected.

• Scarring. Hair typically does not grow on scarred tissue anywhere on your body, and the same is true for your head.
• Ponytails. Pulling hair back in a tight ponytail, or causing stress on the follicles in another similar way such as rollers, can sometimes cause permanent damage by scarring the scalp. Once scarring happens, it can permanently cause hair growth problems.
• Permanents or Perms. Due to the chemicals that are placed on your scalp, getting perms done on your hair can cause damage to the tissue on your scalp and to your hair follicles.

Special consideration should be taken if you have not yet begun to see thinning problems due to the above points. Loosening up your ponytails and leaving your hair natural instead of getting perms, will go a long ways in preventing permanent hair loss in women.

If you are experiencing hair loss, and it can be attributed to one of the temporary problems, you are in luck! Hair grows at approximately ½ inch per month, and usually within about 3 months of correcting the problem, you will start to see your hair thicken back up and a short time later you won’t even know there was a problem.

Hair loss in women causes frustration but, of course you should seek the advice of a doctor that specializes in hair loss. You may find that it can be taken care of easily.