The American Academy of Dermatology says that while shedding hair is normal, excessive hair loss is reason to see your doctor or a dermatologist. Although some hair loss problems will resolve on their own, others may require medical treatment. According to a review published in the October 2005 issue of the "British Medical Journal," hair loss can lead to psychological consequences for some people. Researchers at the University of Nottingham in the UK point out that in addition to hair loss altering a woman's physical appearance, it can also affect her self-esteem and cause symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Causes
Females from puberty on can be affected by androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary condition in women characterized by thinning hair. Non-genetic causes of hair loss include iron or zinc deficiencies, hormones, certain medications, and thyroid or liver disease. Other causes may be pregnancy, diabetes, birth control pills, lupus, chemotherapy, and diseases that affect the reproductive, pituitary or adrenal systems. Doctors at the Cleveland Clinic explain that hair loss can also occur following crash dieting, illness, high fever and childbirth.
Diagnosis
For a doctor to diagnose the cause of hair loss, he will need to take a family history and conduct a physical examination. He may even order some laboratory tests. Your doctor may ask if there are other women in your family who suffer diffuse thinning of hair on the top of the head, or if you have close male relatives with baldness. In addition, a dermatologist will check the condition of your scalp skin, and may take hair clippings and fibers to examine under a microscope. As part of the clinical workup, a doctor may check androgen levels or request a complete blood count, thyroid screening or scalp biopsy.
Treatment
Treatment depends on whether hair loss is temporary or hereditary. Non-genetic hair loss can usually be reversed once the underlying cause is treated. Raising iron levels can treat iron deficiency, which is often the cause of temporary hair loss in non-menopausal women. Young women sometimes suffer imbalances of estrogen and testosterone, but once proper hormone levels are restored, hair will grow back.
Women who suffer permanent hair loss may choose to wear wigs, although hair transplant surgery is another option. The Cleveland Clinic Center for Continuing Education points out that women have more treatment options than men as doctors often prescribe other anti-androgen drugs such as acetate, spironolactone, flutamide or cyproterone to treat female pattern baldness.
Myths
The belief that young women will not experience hair loss is common but, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, female pattern baldness is an inherited condition that can begin in the teens, twenties or early thirties. However, unlike men, women do not become completely bald but rather show signs of thinning hair. The AAD says that while chemical treatments like perming and coloring hair, as well as frequent shampooing, blow drying or hot curling can make hair brittle and more prone to breakage, it does not cause permanent hair loss. As long as future damage is prevented, hair grows in normally. Scalp and hair care expert Philip Kingsley makes the point that brushing your hair 100 strokes every day will not make hair grow in healthier. In fact, excessive brushing pulls hair and can weaken strands.
Prevention
Hair loss can indicate a health problem; talk to your doctor about possible causes. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic recommend eating a healthy diet that includes adequate levels of iron, zinc, protein, calcium and vitamin B to help prevent hair loss. Other tips include avoiding styles that pull hair too tight, and keeping your scalp and hair clean, as dirty hair is more susceptible to fungal infections such as scalp ringworm.
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