Hair Loss in women

Not just men, hair loss affects women too. About 30 percent of women are experiencing at least some degree of thinning in their lifetime, and a large percentage of women lose hair as they get older. So it is not uncommon to see hair loss or thinning of the hair in women as they enter their 50s and 60s. While only a small percentage of women between 20 and 30 years suffer, up to 30 percent of all women between 40 and 60 years old suffer from hair loss. Even with modest amounts of thinning, most women are emotionally affected. So the psychological effects of hair loss are usually very consequential among women. Compared to men, female hair loss is diffuse; less hair all over. Since women often maintain their frontal hairline, their hair loss may not be noticeable –– particularly in its early stages. Hair loss in women is generally very gradual and can show seasonal variations with the rate accelerating during pregnancy and at menopause. Among the main reasons behind women hair loss are heredity (androgenic alopecia and polycystic ovary syndrome) and diseases like anemia.

Androgenetic Alopecia

Thinning hair due to the effects of male hormones (androgens) is called androgenic (or androgenetic) alopecia. It is a major source of psychological distress to women. It is basically the female version of male pattern baldness. Female pattern alopecia occurs as a result of the action of androgens hormones; testosterone, androsteinedione and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). These male hormones normally occur in small amounts in women. If a woman comes from a family where women started to have hair loss at a certain age, then she might be more prone to it. Unlike men, women don't tend to have a receding hairline. Instead, they mostly complain of decreasing density of hair and widening of the part.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

There are many women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is one of the most common endocrine disorders among females. This condition is caused by a hormonal imbalance in which the ovaries produce too many male hormones. An excess of androgens can lead to ovarian cysts, weight gain, a higher risk of diabetes, changes in women’s menstrual period, infertility, as well as hair thinning. Because male hormones are overrepresented in PCOS, women may also experience more hair on the face and body.

Anemia

The lack of iron in the body can lead to anemia. Iron deficıency durıng and after pregnancy is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women. Women who don’t eat enough iron-rich foods may be prone to iron deficiency, in which the blood doesn’t have enough red blood cells. Red blood cells transport oxygen to cells throughout your body, giving you the energy you need. Almost one in 10 women aged 20 through 49 suffers from anemia due to an iron deficiency.

Telogen Effluvium

Some hair loss conditions go by the name effluvium, which means an outflow. Telogen effluvium (TE) is a phenomenon that occurs after pregnancy, major surgery, drastic weight loss, extreme stress, or certain medications such as antidepressants. In these cases, hair shifts faster than normal from its growing phase (anagen) into the resting phase (telogen) before moving quickly into the shedding phase, when they do not produce any hair fiber. Consequently, women shed large amounts of hair every day -– usually when shampooing, brushing, or styling. Just as pregnancy hormone changes can cause hair loss, so can switching or going off birth-control pills. The change in the hormonal balance that occurs at menopause may also have the same result. Since the androgen (male hormone) receptors on the scalp become activated, the hair follicles will miniaturize and then women start to lose more hair. TE is the second most common form of hair loss. Both androgenic alopecia and telogen effluvium explain around 95 % of all hair-loss cases.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania, also called trichotillosis, is the compulsive urge to pull out or twist one's own hair until it breaks off. It is sort of like a tic; the person is constantly playing and pulling their hair. This constant playing and pulling unfortunately leads to noticeable hair loss, distress, and social or functional impairment. Trichotillomania often begins before the age of 17 and is four times as common in women as in men. Trichotillomania is a type of psychological condition that is classified as an impulse control disorde'.

Traction Alopecia

It is a kind of hair loss caused by the way the hair is being pulled. Continued traction alopecia can lead to permanent hair loss. Excessive use of hair styling tools like hair dryer, straighteners and curling iron, too much shampooing and dyeing, immoderate brushing, or hair products like gels, mousse, sprays, etc. can cause major harm to your tresses. Then, prolonged damage to the hair shaft can hamper its growth, because it weakens the hair's strength, causing it to break and fall out. Tight ponytails, wrong combs, parting your hair, can further aggravate the condition.

Thyroid Disease

Millions of people, most of them women, suffer from thyroid disease. When your body produces too little thyroid hormone (the hormone responsible for metabolism, heart rate, and mood), you are said to have hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid. If your body makes too much of the hormone, you are said to have hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. Thyroid hormone is responsible for everything from your basal metabolic rate (the rate at which your body uses oxygen and energy to function) to the growth of your hair, skin, and nails. But when you do not have the right amount, you may notice changes in bodily functions.

Lack of Vitamins

Besides medical conditions, allergies, certain medications, and so on, the lack of vitamins and minerals can lead to hair loss in women. Women who have blood type A occupies usually not enough B vitamins from food, which in turn results in a lack of biotin and other B vitamins that are necessary for a healthy hair growth. Vitamin B and the supplements are essential for sustaining a favorable estrogen metabolism. Estrogen causes hair to become fuller and glossier.