Excessive hair loss, or alopecia, is not just a problem that affects men. Forty percent of Americans with alopecia are women, according to the American Hair Loss Association, and the condition can be embarrassing and emotionally distressing. For some women, hair loss is a temporary problem, but it is permanent for others.
Symptoms
Hair loss in women can be mild or severe. Women with female-pattern baldness, a chronic condition, may notice thinning at the front, sides and crown of the head, but the hairline is typically spared, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other types of alopecia can cause patchy hair loss, itching and pain. You may even notice large chunks of hair fall out when you brush or wash your hair.
Causes
Thyroid disorders, childbirth, birth control pills and other conditions or medications that affect hormone levels can lead to hair loss in women, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Hair loss is sometimes a side effect of medications or supplements, such as antidepressants or excessive vitamin A. The stress of a major illness or surgery can also contribute to increased hair shedding. Infections, such as ringworm, and conditions that cause inflammation, which can damage hair follicles, may also be to blame. Poor nutrition, tight hairstyles, heredity, and overuse of hair chemicals are other common causes of female hair loss, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Treatment
If hormones are the cause of your hair loss, you may benefit from a medication that reduces the amount of male hormones, called androgens, in your body. Several drugs, such as spironolactone, a diuretic, and cimetidine, a histamine blocker, have an anti-androgenic effect and can be prescribed off-label to treat female hair loss, according to the American Hair Loss Association. Some women may benefit from hormone replacement therapy in the form of estrogen and progesterone pills and creams. While birth control pills with a high androgen index may cause hair loss, low androgen pills may be used to decrease male hormones and treat hair loss. Topical medications that contain minoxidil may be helpful. If your hair loss is caused by fungus, a topical antifungal can be prescribed. Surgical treatment options include hair transplanting or scalp reduction, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Prevention
Sometimes hair loss is preventable. If you frequently wear tight hairstyles, such as braids, tight ponytails, cornrows or extensions, opt for looser styles. When possible, avoid twisting, pulling or towel-drying your hair. You can prevent hair loss caused by poor nutrition by eating a well-balanced diet and avoiding restrictive weight-loss diets. If you suspect a medication is causing your hair loss, ask your doctor if another medication is available. If you frequently get perms or other chemical treatments, try to stop or get less frequent treatments if you begin losing hair.
Warning
Hair loss is sometimes an early sign of a disease like diabetes or lupus, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. If you have sudden, unexplained hair loss, see your doctor to rule out other medical conditions. Also note that finasteride, a medication commonly used to treat baldness in men, can be extremely dangerous to women of childbearing years. Do not take, or even touch, these pills if you are a woman of childbearing age because of the risk of birth defects, warns the Mayo Clinic.
Member Comments