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Female Hair Loss

Female hair loss is a big topic these days. It is not uncommon to hear about a man losing his hair when he reaches a certain age, however, we rarely hear about a female losing her hair. Women, like men, can start to lose their hair at various stages of their life depending on certain health factors. And while, for the most part, we know why men begin losing their hair, it is not common knowledge as to why women can lose their hair as well. The truth is that women lose their hair for some of the same reasons men lose their hair.

For Many People Hair Loss Is Genetic

For many people hair loss is genetic. Some people have a genetic flaw in which a hormone, known as androgen, stops hair growth from working properly. The reason hair loss is more common in men than women is because androgen is made up of hormones including testosterone, androsteinedione, and dihydrotestosterone which are found in large quantities in men's bodies and small quantities in women's bodies. Over time, the androgen build-up in the hair follicle causes the follicle to shrink, and thus altering the natural growth of the hair. Too much of this androgen build-up in the hair follicles will cause some to become useless and hair will not grow out of these follicles any more. Other follicles will just die. The combination of these two is known as androgenic alopecia, or hair loss.

Doctors Today Are Learning

Furthermore, doctors today are learning that female and male hair loss are two very different problems. The pattern in which men and women lose hair is different, the age when hair is lost is different, and the causes are even mostly different. There are more causes for women hair loss than for men hair loss. One major cause of hair loss for women is polycystic ovary syndrome, which is a hormonal problem. Other diseases can cause hair loss as well. Minor causes of womanly hair loss include telogen effluvium, a natural change in hair growth that follows some major event, taking certain medications and chronic illness. Doctors are also noticing that more and more young women are losing their hair. Men usually only lose their hair once they reach middle age or after.

Hair loss can be devastating for men, but especially for women. Many women consider their hair another accessory to how they look, and unfortunately we live in a society in which bald women aren't viewed as attractive. Female hair loss can be a temporary problem or a major problem. Either way, if you are experiencing any type of hair loss, it is time to see the doctor.

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