Women’s Hair Loss – The Most Usual Suspects

For generations hair loss was thought to be a strictly male condition. Hair loss in women however actually account’s for over 40% of hair loss cases. Cases of women’s hair loss are on a sharp rise and for most women, the effects on their self esteem can be devastating.

Women’s hair loss follows different patterns to the receding hairlines and thinning crowns typical of hair loss in men. Patterns of female hair loss are much more complicated then those in men and various scales have been developed to chart women’s hair loss. The two most widely used are the Ludwig Scale and the Savin Scale. To a great extent these are identical, although the Savin Scale is more popular as it also charts the amount of overall hair thinning.

Although often blanketed under the label of Androgenetic Alopecia, women’s hair loss can be the result of diverse conditions, the most common being:

Androgenetic Alopecia
For most women suffering from Androgenetic Alopecia the root cause is hormonal changes. These can be due to pregnancy, birth control pills with high Androgen contents or menopause. In common with hair loss in men, women’s hair loss due to Androgenetic Alopecia is a hereditary condition and directly linked to the DHT hormone (Dihydrotestosterone).

Telogen Effluvium
When a woman’s body is subjected to stressful situations like child birth for example, hair follicles shift from the Anagen (growing) stage to the Telogen (shedding) stage. This rapid shift in hair follicle condition is known as Telogen Effluvium and usually occurs around 6-8 weeks after the stress situation. Although a direct result of increased stress levels, Telogen Effluvium can persist for many years after the incident. Hair loss due to Telogen Effluvium is triggered when follicles re-enter the Anagen stage, pushing weak hair out and leaving visible bare patches on the scalp.

Traction Alopecia
Usually caused by damage to the follicles from tight hairstyles that exert excessive traction on the hair for long periods of time. If diagnosed in time, Traction Alopecia can usually be reversed.

Anagen Effluvium
This type of hair loss is usually attributed to intense and radical medication such as chemotherapy. Hair follicles, as all other cells in our bodies divide and multiply in a continuous cycle. Chemotherapy targets such dividing cells so hair follicles are also affected.

Androgenetic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium are by far the most widespread causes of woman’s hair loss. A direct result of hormonal changes and imbalances, both Androgenetic Alopecia and Telogen Effluvium have been linked to the Testosterone derivative DHT or Dihydrotestosterone. DHT increases the Telogen stages of follicle activity, creating weaker and thinner hair and visible bald patches.

The process by which normal testosterone converts to DHT happens in both men and women and is caused by the 5-alpha Reductase enzyme. Compared to men, the level of DHT in women is much lower, but even this lower level can lead to significant DHT hair loss.

Hormones operate in a very delicate balance and when this balance is upset by pregnancy or menopause for example, the levels of DHT start to rise and DHT hair loss becomes more severe with highly visible results. DHT inhibitors or Blockers as they are commonly referred to have been shown to have dramatic effects in reducing or even eliminating DHT hair loss.

The first such DHT blocker and by far the most popular is a medication called Minoxidil. First developed as an oral medication to treat high blood pressure, Minoxidil displayed a rather interesting side effect. Excessive hair growth. Further research concluded that Minoxidil reduced the levels of DHT, effectively blocking the adverse effects and reducing DHT hair loss.

Minoxidil is widely prescribed to treat hair loss in both men and women. For women’s hair loss a 2% solution of Minoxidil had shown the most promising results with a large percentage of users reporting satisfactory hair regrowth after using the solution.

Replacing essential nutrients is also an important step in combating women’s hair loss. These essential nutrients include Vitamin B6, Biotin and magnesium, known for their hair restorative properties. This essential nourishment is vital to the proper workings and development of hair follicles and for prolonging the Anagen or growth stages of hair development.

Women’s hair loss no longer needs to be a devastating blow to a woman’s self esteem. Effective treatments are available to block the development of DHT and provide hair follicles with the proper nutrients they need to flourish. and thrive. A full head of radiant, glowing hair is back within reach with the proper hair regrowth treatment aimed specifically at women’s hair loss.