The Real Reasons Our Hair Falls Easily
Hair loss in women is a common phenomenon that affects millions of people worldwide. It’s essential to understand the underlying causes and symptoms to take effective steps towards prevention and treatment.
What is Hair Loss in Women?
Hair loss in women occurs when people assigned female at birth experience unexpected, heavy loss of hair. Generally, humans shed between 50 and 100 single hairs per day. Hair shedding is part of a natural balance — some hairs fall out while others grow in. An interruption in this balance — when hair falls out and less hair grows in — causes hair loss. The medical term for hair loss is “alopecia.”
Hair grows on almost all of your skin surfaces — not the palms of your hands, soles of your feet, lips or eyelids. Light, fine, short hair is called vellus hair. Terminal hair is thicker, darker and longer.
The Cycles of Hair Growth
Hair goes through three cycles: anagen, catagen, and telogen. Your shorter hairs — like eyelashes, arm and leg hair, and eyebrows — have a short anagen phase (about one month). Your scalp hair can last up to six years or even longer.
Types of Hair Loss in Women
There are three types of hair loss in women: female-pattern hair loss (FPHL), telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata. FPHL is the most common type, accounting for about 30 million cases in the United States.
How Common is Hair Loss in Women?
Many people think that hair loss only affects people assigned male at birth. However, studies show that more than 50% of people assigned female at birth will experience noticeable hair loss. The most significant cause of hair loss in women is female-pattern hair loss (FPHL).
Symptoms and Causes of Hair Loss
The signs of hair loss in women may include excessive hair shedding, thinning hair, and bald spots. There are several possible causes of hair loss in women, including hormonal imbalances, genetics, stress, and certain medical conditions.
The Relationship Between Hair Loss and Menopause
Your body experiences changes during menopause. This can affect your hair and cause thinning, dryness, and brittleness. These changes happen due to varying levels of hormones during menopause. In addition, your hair follicles shrink, making your hair grow finer (thinner).
Diagnosis and Tests for Hair Loss
A healthcare provider will do a thorough examination and take a detailed history to understand changes in your hair growth. Your provider will also ask about what medications or supplements you currently take. Tests may follow the exam. The tests to diagnose hair loss in women may include a physical exam, medical history, and laboratory tests.
Management and Treatment of Hair Loss
Treatment for hair loss depends on the cause. It may include medication, light therapy, and lifestyle changes. In addition, a healthcare provider might recommend forms of light therapy like using the HairMax Lasercomb®. If you have hair loss due to stress or hormone changes like pregnancy, you may not need treatment. The hair loss will stop after a period of time.
A healthcare provider might recommend using minoxidil (Rogaine®). This is approved for treating FPHL. You can purchase the 2% or 5% solution over the counter (OTC). Other medications that treat hair loss in women may include spironolactone and finasteride.
Prevention and Outlook for Hair Loss
You can’t prevent all cases of hair loss in women. You can prevent hair loss caused by chemical hair treatments by not using them. You might be able to prevent some hair loss by eating nutritious foods that provide necessary nutrients or adding vitamins to your daily routine.
The type and severity of hair loss you experience may determine the outcome (prognosis). Some types of hair loss are permanent, especially if you have damage to your hair follicles. But not all cases are. For example, anagen and telogen shedding may stop with time. Managing any underlying health conditions improves hair loss.
Living with Hair Loss
Living with hair loss can be challenging, but there are some things you can do to manage your hair loss and feel more comfortable. These include using gentle hair care products, avoiding excessive heat styling, and trying low-level laser therapy.
If you’re experiencing hair loss, it’s essential to see a dermatologist as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment, the more effective it’ll be. You may want to ask your provider about the underlying causes of your hair loss, the best course of treatment, and how to prevent further hair loss.
