CAUSES OF HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN

Careful concerns needs to be observed in women who are experiencing hair loss. In men, the typical cause of hair loss is androgenetic alopecia, an inherited sensitivity to dihydrotestosterone or DHT which induces the weakening of the hair follicles in the scalp. Women also experience androgenetic alopecia but they have far more physical and hormonal changes compared to men and for that reason can have a wider range of hair loss causes.

In women, there are plenty of factors that can lead to hair loss and hair thinning like pregnancy, childbirth, going on extreme diets, hormonal changes, contraceptive pills, perimenopause and menopause, stress, and certain medications. In cases of hair shedding or severe hair loss, it is best to consult a doctor or a dermatologist before looking for a hair loss treatment.

Hair loss linked with taking birth control medications occur when the pills are stopped suddenly. Estrogen in the pill controls or manipulates this hormone and helps in regulating the menstrual cycle. Estrogen stimulates healthy hair growth, working like a fertilizer to the hair. Once the pills are suddenly stopped, there is an increase in hair fall.

Meanwhile, even little girls that have a healthy head of hair, can develop hair loss. On this age group, one of the causes is habitual pulling of hair or trichotillomania. This is seen mostly in girls rather than boys. For young kids, hair loss usually starts as a small patch at the top of the head. Later on, noticeable irregularities in hair strand lengths and curling can be seen. If left unattended, the patch can grow bigger or in worse cases, the scalp can get infected. Soon after, a permanent hair loss patch due to scarring will be left on the area.

Traction alopecia occurs when regularly wearing a pony tail or a tight bun. Usually, hair loss occurs at the margins of the hair line and gradually goes higher. Similar to trichotillomania, infection can occur that can also lead to permanent hair loss.