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About Female Hair Loss
by Jill Richards
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Overview
About Female Hair Loss
According to the American Hair Loss Association, women make up about 40 percent of hair loss sufferers. Though hair loss, or alopecia, can be difficult for men, women face significant self-esteem and self-image issues if they lose their hair. It can be psychologically damaging.
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Types
There are three major types of hair loss in women. Androgenetic alopecia or female pattern baldness is a genetic condition, according to the American Hair Loss Council. Anagen effluvium occurs because of hair loss from external factors such as chemotherapy. A third type, called telogen effluvium, occurs when more than the normal amount of hair follicles suddenly stop producing hair.
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Causes
As with male baldness, a woman's genetic makeup is one cause of female pattern baldness. Sometimes taking birth control pills with high hormone levels can cause women to develop female pattern baldness as well.
Chemotherapy is the most common cause of anagen hair loss because it damages follicle growth.
Telegen hair loss happens when too many of your hair follicles enter the resting phase and stop producing hair. This can occur because of events such as pregnancy, emotional stress, illness or anemia, according to the American Hair Loss Council.
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Medical Treatments
Rogaine (topical minoxidil) is the only FDA-approved medication for treatment of female pattern hair loss. Best results occur when you start taking it as soon as possible after hair loss begins. Hormone replacement therapy is sometimes used to treat female hair loss, especially if it occurs because of hormone fluctuations after menopause. The same is true of oral contraceptives that are mainly used to treat pre-menopausal women's hair loss. There are other medications not approved by the FDA for hair loss treatment, such as Tagamet or Aldactone. Your physician might prescribe one of these drugs because they show promise in reducing hair loss for some women.
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Cosmetic Treatments
Perms or having your hair colored might give the appearance of fullness to your hair and disguise thinning. Hair additions can also be used to augment your natural hair. Quick-fix remedies advertised on late night television or on the Internet generally do not work.
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Misconceptions
There are many misconceptions associated with female hair loss. Frequent shampooing, and wearing hats or wigs does not cause hair loss. Hair loss can and does sometimes occur in teens or young adults. Shaving your head does not cause hair to grow back thicker.
