Women lose hair for many reasons and hair loss in women is more common than you would think. As few women like to admit to or talk about hair loss, we hope to provide you with more information about the reasons in this article.
Unnatural hair loss is when more than the average 50 – 100 hairs a day fall out. Unless there is an imbalance in your hormones, a sickness, or another condition, your hair will stay on your head where it belongs!
Some of the reasons why women experience hair loss include;
Androgenetic Alopecia
The majority of women with androgenetic alopecia have diffuse thinning on all areas of the scalp. A significant contributor to the condition is heredity and it is brought on by a number of hormone-related circumstances, such as certain ovarian cysts, using birth control tablets with a high androgen index, pregnancy, and menopause.
Patients suffering from androgenetic alopecia are generally good candidates for a hair transplant.
Telogen Effluvium
Telegen refers to the stage in your hair’s life cycle when it is resting. Your hair may be affected if your body experiences trauma such as malnutrition, a serious infection, pregnancy, major surgery, or extreme stress.
This will lead to all of the hair follicles that were in the resting stage, falling out.
Anagen Effluvium
Hair loss that occurs during the anagen, or growth, stage of the hair cycle is referred to as Anagen Effluvium. It is caused by an injury to the hair follicles. Patients who experience hair loss during chemotherapy are suffering from Anagen Effluvium.
Hair generally grows back once treatment has stopped.
Alopecia Areata
This is brought on by an auto-immune system attack on the hair’s roots in women and often appears very suddenly. This leads to ‘patchy” hair. Most patients, about 70%, will recover in about 18 – 24 months.
Traction Alopecia
Traction Alopecia is not caused by a medical condition, but due to conditions placed on the hair. This can include hairstyles, such as tight, high ponytails, braiding and extensions. All of these styles pull the hair follicles in an unnatural direction, which damages them, leading the hair to fall out.
Once you start to allow your hair to fall in its natural state and/or remove extensions, the hair will start to recover and should begin to grow naturally again.
How is Hair Loss Diagnosed?
A visiting your doctor or a Dermatologist will diagnose your hair loss. They will chat to you about your lifestyle, and any medications you have been on and perform a physical exam with a few simple tests. Such tests will include a Pull Test and examining your hair under a microscope.
Once you know the reason for your hair loss, a solution can be found. Depending on the diagnosis, you will have different solutions offered to you.