Female Hair Loss

It's not just men who experience hormone-related hair loss. Women's hair loss can also be caused by hormones. In men, overproduction of male hormones, or androgens, has a disastrous effect on the hair follicles. This is called androgenic alopecia and results in permanent hair loss. Women can also suffer from this condition, although they rarely become bald. In women, diffuse, (all-over hair thinning) occurs, generally being most noticeable around the forehead and crown of the scalp.

The individual hair shaft's diameter decreases as well. But how can androgens (male hormones) affect women's hair loss?

Female pattern hair loss usually begins with the onset of menopause. Estrogen levels begin to decline, and it is estrogen that is a critical factor here. Estrogen blocks the action of the hormone indirectly responsible for women's hair loss. Testosterone is also present in women's bodies. Without significant levels of estrogen to inhibit it, testosterone is converted into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the action of an enzyme named 5-alpha reductase. Some hair follicles are especially susceptible to the action of DHT. When attacked by DHT, the growth cycle of the follicle is disrupted. It begins to shrink and miniaturize, producing thinner and thinner hair with each cycle. Eventually, the hair falls out and does not re-grow.

In a normal scalp, when a hair falls out a new young hair pushes up from the base of the follicle to replace it. Under the action of DHT the follicle ceases to produce hair. To stop or reverse women's hair loss, either the action of DHT needs to be blocked or the follicle needs to be stimulated to overcome the attack and re-grow hair. For women, blocking DHT is accomplished by estrogen replacement therapy.

In pregnancy-related women's hair loss, estrogen is also involved. During pregnancy, estrogen levels rise. Researchers think that higher levels of this hormone prolong the hair's growing or anagen phase, preventing the woman from shedding any hairs. Pregnant women often report thicker, healthier hair during this time. After the baby is delivered, and the estrogen levels in the body begin to return to normal, the abnormally-prolonged growing phase of the hair naturally terminates. The result is that a large proportion of hairs enter the dormant or telogen phase. The hair stops growing, enters an inactive state and eventually falls out. Fortunately this condition is temporary. Your hair will appear thin for a few months, but eventually the follicles will produce strong new hair.

In addition to the above hormonal imbalances contributing to hair loss, the following are added causes of hair loss.

High Fever, Severe Illness, Severe Flu - Sometimes one to three months after a high fever, severe infection or flu, a person may experience hair loss.

Thyroid Disease - Both an overactive thyroid and an underactive thyroid can cause hair loss.

Deficient Diet - Some people who go on low protein diets, or have severely abnormal eating habits, may develop protein malnutrition. To help save protein the body shifts growing hair into the resting phase. If this happens massive amounts of hair shedding can occur two to three months later. A sign of this is if the hair can be pulled out by the roots fairly easily. This condition can be reversed and prevented by eating the proper amount of protein. Its very important when dieting to maintain an adequate protein intake.

Medications - Some prescription drugs may cause temporary hair shedding in a small percentage of people. Examples of such drugs include some of the medicines used for the following: gout, arthritis, depression, heart problems, high blood pressure, and blood thinners. High doses of vitamin A may also cause hair shedding.

Cancer Treatments - Chemotherapy and radiation treatment will cause hair loss because it stops hair cells from dividing. Hairs become thin and break off as they exit the scalp. This occurs one to three weeks after the treatment. Patients can lose up to 90 percent of their scalp hair. The hair will re-grow after treatment ends and patients may want to purchase wigs before treatment.

Low Serum Iron - Iron deficiency occasionally produces hair loss. Some people don't have enough iron in their diets or may not fully absorb iron in their diets. Women who have heavy menstrual periods may develop iron deficiency.

Major Surgery/Chronic Illness - Anyone who has a major operation - a tremendous shock to the system - may notice increased hair shedding within one to three months afterwards. The condition reverses itself within a few months, but people who have a severe chronic illness may shed hair indefinitely. A relatively unknown fact is that hair transplantation surgery can actually cause additional hair loss or "shock fallout". Hairs lost from shock fallout usually don't re-grow.

Alopecia Areata - This type of hair loss is believed to be caused by the immune system reacting to hair follicles as if they were antibodies and shutting them down. The hair loss is usually limited to a coin sized area and all the hair in the area is lost leaving a totally smooth round patch. In a more severe rarer condition called Alopecia Totalis, all hair on the entire body is lost, including the eyelashes.

Fungus Infection (Ringworm) of the Scalp - Caused by a fungus infection, ringworm (which has nothing to do with worms) begins with small patches of scaling that can spread and result in broken hair, redness, swelling, and even oozing. This contagious disease is most common in children.

Stress - Stress can cause hair loss in some people. Usually it occurs 3 months after the stressful event has occurred, and it may take 3 months after the stress period has ended for the hair growth to resume. In most cases it is temporary if the person is not predisposed to genetic or Androgenic Alopecia. However, if they are predisposed, stress may trigger the onset of genetic hair loss or may worsen existing Androgenic hair loss.

Hair Pulling (Trichotillomania) - Some children, and less often adults, play with their hair by pulling on it or twisting it. This can be part of a behavioral problem or a bad habit that is often done unconsciously. If the behavior is not stopped permanent hair loss can result from the constant stress on the hair.

Hair Styling Treatments - Many people change the appearance of their hair by using chemical treatments like dyes, tints, bleaches, straighteners, relaxers and permanent waves. If correctly done and done using reputable products, its rare to have any damage. However, hair can become weak and break if any of these chemicals are used too often. Hair can also break if the solution is left on too long, if two procedures are done on the same day, or if bleach is applied to previously bleached hair. Some chemical relaxers do contain powerful chemicals and there have been instances of people getting chemical burns from these products, resulting in permanent hair loss.

Hair Braids/Weaves - Many women braid their hair, have hair weaves, wear ponytails, cornrows, and/or tight rollers. Under normal conditions these cause no problems. However, if the weave is attached too tight or the braids are wrapped too tight, they put a constant strain on the hair follicle. If this is done for an extended period of time permanent hair loss can result. This is known as Traction Alopecia and is fairly common among people who braid or weave their hair.

Along with the Bio-identical Hormone Replacement Therapy, we suggest the following lifestyle changes:

• Eat well and avoid crash diets. A balanced diet, along with a high quality vitamin is one of the most important ingredients for healthy hair. Avoid large doses of vitamin A.
  
  
• Chemicals in perms and some dyes can be rough on your hair in the long run, so use them as little as possible. Consider natural hair dyes and styles that complement your hair type.
  
  
• Protect your hair from environmental elements, such as the sun, by using products that contain natural sunscreens, such as wild pansy and coffee extracts.
  
  
• After swimming in a pool, take extra care of your hair by washing and conditioning it thoroughly, as chlorine is extremely damaging to the hair and scalp. Try to avoid chemically based shampoo and conditioner. Most health food stores carry a selection of organic products.
  
  
• Massage your scalp with rosemary oil in an olive oil base. Both rosemary oil and massaging the scalp stimulate circulation and promote hair growth.
  
  
• If your taking prescription medications, talk to your doctor and find out if your medication is contributing to your hair loss.
  
  
• Exercise, do yoga and/or meditate. Find a practice that will help to reduce stress and anxiety.
  

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