Hair loss in women: What causes it and how to stop it

Dropping your hair can have an effect on your confidence. Whereas most males would not have an issue searching for assist for hair loss, girls are likely to maintain it to themselves, usually resulting in emotions of isolation and despair. 

However hair loss is sort of frequent in females, affecting greater than 50% of ladies sooner or later of their lives and roughly 80% of ladies by age 80. Probably the most vital reason behind hair loss in girls is feminine sample hair loss, or androgenetic alopecia, which impacts about 30 million girls within the U.S. 

“I see extra girls in my workplace than I do males,” says Nebraska Drugs dermatologist Ronald Sulewski, MD. “This can be due partly to the truth that hair loss is much less acceptable to most ladies. Happily, we now have a number of efficient therapy choices for each women and men.” 

Under, we focus on how hair loss differs in women and men, frequent causes of feminine sample hair loss, and how one can cease it. 

How does feminine hair loss differ from male hair loss?

Androgenetic alopecia is a typical type of hair loss in each women and men. In males, this situation is also called male pattern baldness. Hair is misplaced in a well-defined sample, starting above the temples. Over time, the hairline recedes to kind a attribute “M” form. Hair additionally thins close to the highest of the top, usually progressing to partial or full baldness. In girls, the hair turns into thinner everywhere in the head, and the hairline doesn’t recede. It’s additionally not as frequent for girls with androgenetic alopecia to expertise full baldness.

Indicators of feminine sample hair loss embody:

• Hair falling out or breaking off in giant quantities every day
• Noticeable patches of thinner or lacking hair, together with on the crown of the top
• Seeing scalp pores and skin by means of your hair

Why am I dropping my hair?

Like males, as girls age, they expertise modifications of their androgen ranges. Androgens are intercourse hormones that contribute to progress and replica. Additionally they regulate hair progress. Over time, these hormones trigger hair follicles to shrink, leading to shorter and finer strands of hair. Ultimately, new hair now not grows in these areas, resulting in the looks of sparse or thinning hair. Mockingly, it’s possible you’ll concurrently develop extra hair on different areas of the physique, such because the face or chin. It is because the receptors that bind to androgens are completely different in distinctive areas of the physique.  

In some circumstances, feminine sample hair loss could be brought on by:

• Genetics (Girls who’ve moms or shut kinfolk with feminine sample baldness are at greater danger of growing baldness.)
• Sure drugs or dietary supplements, similar to blood stress medication, gout medication and excessive doses of vitamin A
• Prior surgical procedures, which may trigger excessive bodily stress or shock to your physique
• Sure well being situations, similar to polycystic ovary syndrome, thyroid disease, precocious puberty and anemia 
• Hormone modifications brought on by pregnancy, menopause or contraception drugs

Sure well being situations may trigger different signs, similar to a rash, redness, ache, peeling of the scalp, hair breakage, patch hair loss, or an uncommon sample of hair loss. It’s essential to speak to your physician if you happen to expertise any of those signs, as they might be an indication of a extra critical situation. 

“For most ladies, feminine sample hair loss turns into a difficulty in midlife, however it may start earlier,” says Dr. Sulewski. “In case you’re experiencing early feminine sample hair loss or a constellation of different signs, you need to take into account being evaluated by your physician to find out the trigger and rule out different doable well being issues.”

How can I deal with feminine hair loss?

Heredity hair loss is usually unavoidable. Nevertheless, there are steps you may take to cut back your danger, similar to:

• Avoiding smoking
• Protecting vitamin A consumption low 
• Limiting solar publicity
• Consuming a nutritious diet or taking dietary supplements which can be excessive in biotin, a B-vitamin that helps stimulate hair progress

In case you expertise feminine sample hair loss, it’s a good suggestion to say it to your physician, who can refer you to a dermatologist. Dermatologists are particularly educated within the prognosis and therapy of hair, pores and skin and nail situations, together with hair loss. 

“It’s not a foul concept to convey it as much as your physician throughout a routine properly girl examination, however your physician will almost definitely refer you to a dermatologist, who’s extra suited to deal with hair loss,” says Dr. Sulewski.

Relying in your particular signs, the dermatologist might advocate:

• Minoxidil – Authorized for treating feminine sample hair loss, the over-the-counter therapy is on the market to buy as a 2% or 5% liquid or foam resolution
• Finasteride – A hormone-blocking prescription remedy to deal with hair loss
• Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP – Consists of a sequence of in-office blood attracts and injections 
• Hair transplant – The best and aggressive choice, this process is finished beneath native anesthesia to take away stronger hair follicles (e.g., the again of scalp the place hair shouldn’t be thinning) and place it the place you’re thinning to assist substantiate these areas

It’s essential to notice that sure medicine, together with minoxidil and finasteride, are usually not protected for pregnant girls or those that wish to turn into pregnant. For extra data or an professional opinion on one of the best course of therapy for hair loss, name Nebraska Drugs at 800.922.0000.