Thinning hair is not a life-threatening condition, but it can indicate an underlying medical condition. In addition, hair loss is psychologically stressful, particularly if you're a woman. There is no certain cure. However, understanding the biological and physical factors that can trigger or contribute to hair loss may point you in the right direction for treatment. The first step is to examine the common causes.
Female Pattern Balding
Also known as diffuse thinning, the technical term for this condition is adrogenetic alopecia. This differs from male pattern balding in that men usually start to lose hair at the crown of the head. Women tend to notice hair loss more evenly across the scalp, especially at the sides of the head. However, the root cause is the same: a decline in sex hormones. As with men, falling levels of testosterone spurs the conversion of available testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. In short, this substance triggers hair follicles to shrink and stop producing new growth. Estrogen provides some protection from dihydrotestosterone in women. However, as estrogen levels decrease during and after menopause, the situation becomes reversed. The good news is that you are not likely to experience complete hair loss, or a receding hairline. The bad news is that the hair on your scalp may become thinner while facial hair becomes more prominent.
Hair Styling
Frequently wearing braids, ponytails or other hairstyles that consistently pull on hair strands can lead to a condition called traction alopecia. It's characterized by initial breakage, followed by an eventual thinning of hair at the site of stress--sometimes permanently.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments may lead to hair thinning in patches and sometimes a total loss of hair. In most cases, however, this is a temporary condition, and the hair usually grows back within six months.
Scarring
Scarring anywhere on the scalp can lead to hair loss. However, scarring alopecia is usually characterized by a thinning of hair at the top of the head. This is often seen in African American women and is associated with the braiding of cornrows, or wearing weaves and hair extensions. However, scarring may also follow the inflammation of hair follicles, which sometimes occurs in post-menopausal women.
Telogen Effluvium
This condition is evidenced by large patches of thin spots appearing on the scalp because the hair follicles enter in a state of perpetual shedding. This type of hair thinning in women may be due to psychological stress, nutritional deficiencies, certain medications or hormonal fluctuations.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you're a woman concerned about thinning hair, see your physician to determine the exact cause and to discuss treatment options. Potential treatments consist of topical ointments, oral medications, immunotherapy, UV light treatment, surgical hair restoration and a range of complementary therapies.
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