What Causes Hair Loss in Women?

Diagnosing the exact cause of hair loss in women is quite challenging. This is because hair loss can occur due to a wide array of reasons. Sometimes, multiple reasons combine are present, which further complicates the analysis. Most women suffer hair loss due to:

1. Hormonal Imbalance (Diffuse Hair Loss)

The most common form of Female Pattern Hair Loss is Androgenic Alopecia. Androgenetic Alopecia is caused due to heightened sensitivity to Testosterone among hair follicles of the scalp. Hair follicles contain a typical enzyme, called Type II 5-alpha reductase. This enzyme helps to convert free testosterone into a compound, called Dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Hair follicles tend to react to the DHT levels. If DHT levels are too high, hair follicles tend to shrink. This causes progressive thinning of hair. Excess of DHT is established when the female is producing excessive amounts of testosterone. This kind of hair loss is scattered and it doesn’t follow a particular pattern—this is why it is referred to as Diffuse Hair Loss.

Causes of Androgenic Alopecia Hair Loss:

Ovarian cysts
Pregnancy
Anemia
Lupus
Premature Puberty
Stress and anxiety
Excessive use of Birth Control Pills
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Nutritional deficiencies due to crash diets
Wrongfully conducted surgical procedures
Overuse of blood thinners like warfarin
Abuse of seizure medications
Prolonged usage of blood pressure meds or beta-blockers
Cholesterol-lowering pills

2. Genetic Reasons

Though some instances of genetic androgenic alopecia have surfaced, Alopecia Areata is the prime example of inherited baldness. Alopecia Areata is essentially an auto-immune disease. It surfaces suddenly. Alopecia Areata might be triggered by long-term exposure to environmental chemicals but it usually has a genetic predisposition. Here, the person’s immune system starts attacking the hair roots, weakening the hair shaft. This condition causes a typical, patchy kind of hair shedding. Here, the hair loss is restricted to small patches and is referred to as Localized Hair Loss.

3. Medical Procedures & Trauma

This form of hair loss is also referred to as Scarring Alopecia. It usually occurs due to severe trauma to the scalp. The most common cause is medical procedures such as Surgeries. For instance, localized hair loss is often found after facial plastic surgeries. Other traumas capable of causing hair loss include a severe injury to the head. Here, the circulation of nutrient-carrying blood to the scalp is compromised.

4. Dermatological Reasons

Sudden onset of baldness is often induced by serious dermatological conditions like Lupus. Due to the skin’s thickening, the hair follicles are pushed deeper within the scalp. This disrupts the flow of nutrients, making the hair brittle and vulnerable.

5. Chemotherapy

Anagen Effluvium is the name given to hair follicles that lose their metabolic ability. They become incapable of sustaining hair growth at the cellular level. This condition is commonly found among chemotherapy patients. Chemotherapy after-effects include progressive thinning of hair followed by short bouts of excessive hair-shedding.

6. Hair-styling Choices

Some hair styles induce excessive stress on the hair follicles. This includes tight ponytails and braiding that tend to pull at the hair. Use of dyes, serums and conditioners containing potentially-harmful chemicals can cause severe thinning of hair. Blow-drying is the most common example of a lifestyle habit that gradually weakens the hair.

7. Hypothyroidism

This cause should be listed as a part of hormonal causes but it has some unique characteristics. Firstly, this doesn’t include sexual or reproductive hormones discussed under hormonal causes. This is related to a primary metabolic hormone, called Thyroxine. This hormone is produced by the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism is a condition of an underactive thyroid. Here, the thyroid gland produces insufficient amount of thyroxine. Deficiency of this hormone means reduced supply of nutrients, oxygen and energy to all the cells in the body, including that of the hair.

Seeking Treatment

Once the cause of hair loss has been established, it is vital to immediately start treatment. The best hair loss treatment for women should be able to arrest hair fall, irrespective of the underlying cause. Many OTC hair fall treatments include hormonal supplements and prescription drugs pose a serious threat to the reproductive health of women. It is better to choose a natural hair loss treatment product like Provillus.