While hair loss is a commonly accepted part of the aging process for many men, for women it may have more traumatic psychological and social consequences, reports ISHRS.org. Women experience middle aged hair loss at rates similar to men, although women more commonly experience general thinning on the crown rather than patches of complete loss, according to Dr. David Whiting. In women, hair loss may occur at other times of life for other reasons as well, including hormonal changes, stress and certain medical conditions and treatments.
Hormonal Changes
Androgenetic alopecia results from genetic sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens, the class of male sex hormone that includes testosterone. This sensitivity causes a shortening of the hair follicle's life cycle and leads to male-pattern baldness in many men. This genetic sensitivity to androgen is also the leading cause of hair loss in women, known as female-pattern baldness. Because women have less androgen than men, this type of hair loss occurs later and is usually less pronounced, explains Dr. Whiting. Female pattern baldness commonly occurs after menopause.
Changes in estrogen levels can also affect the hair as well. Many women notice an increase in hair loss for the first three to four months after giving birth, according to AmericanPregnancy.org. This hair loss occurs as a natural part of the child birth process as up to 60% of hair follicles enter a resting phase after pregnancy. The hair loss is temporary and generally returns to normal within six to twelve months.
MedlinePlus reports that low thyroid hormone levels or abnormal hormone levels such as too much testosterone can also lead to hair loss in women.
Stress
Both physical and emotional stress can lead to hair loss. The American Hair Loss Council reports that the body shuts down production of hair during periods of stress because it is not necessary for survival. Physical stressors may include surgery or rapid weight change. Emotional stressors include mental illness, death of a family member or any other sudden change in one's life.
Up to a three month delay between the onset of the stressor and hair loss may occur. When the period of stress ends, the hair production restarts, sometimes after a delay.
Medical Conditions and Treatments
Certain medical conditions or treatments can lead to hair loss. Medical conditions leading to hair loss include certain skin conditions that cause cicatricial alopecia, or scarring hair loss, according to the Mayo Clinic website. These skin conditions include lupus and lichen planus, which causes itchy, swollen skin.
Certain autoimmune conditions may cause hair loss, including a condition called alopecia areata that leads to circular patches of hair loss in otherwise healthy individuals. MayoClinic.com reports that the hair often regrows and may be lost again in numerous cycles.
Chemotherapy is perhaps the most well-known treatment for cancer that can lead to total hair loss. Medications for gout, arthritis and heart problems also have the potential to cause hair loss, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Other Causes
MayoClinic.com reports on a hair loss condition called "traction alopecia," resulting from certain hairstyles, such as ponytails, that abnormally pull the hair tight at the roots. Certain chemical hair treatments, such as bleaching, can also cause hair to fall out.
A condition called trichotillomania presents as an uncontrollable compulsion to pull out one's own hair, and can be severe enough to cause severe thinning or patchy baldness. Poor nutrition can also lead to hair loss and may be observed in eating disorders.
References
- International Society of Hair Restoration Surgery: Psychological Effects of Hair Loss in Women
- American Pregnancy: Pregnancy and Hair Loss
- Medline Plus: Female Pattern Baldness
- American Hair Loss Council: Female Pattern Hair Loss
- Women's Hair Loss Project: Disorders of Hair -- Androgenetic Alopecia -- excerpt from an article by Dr. David Whiting
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