Hair loss is many women’s worst nightmare, but did you know that effective treatment options are easily available? Approximately 50% of women will have hair loss at some point in their lives, a really high number. Although it can occur at any age, most women begin to notice it as they get older.
For many, the first signs of hair loss frequently go unnoticed since hair always grows and falls naturally anyway. Only when women see chunks of hair in the hairbrush or shower drain then they start to become worried. The causes of hair shedding in women are many, so let’s take a deep dive and explore this sensitive topic in detail.
The Most Common Types of Hair Loss Women Experience
Hair loss in women can take many different forms, and the reasons for female hair shedding are also many. The following are some typical forms of hair loss that too many women experience:
- Androgenetic Alopecia: In women, this is the most prevalent kind of hair loss, and with this disorder, the hair on the top of the crown usually gradually thins. Although the hairline usually stays intact in Androgenetic Alopecia at first.
- Telogen Effluvium: This one is another cause of sudden hair loss in women. The hair development cycle in this disorder is significantly disrupted, and the hair prematurely enters the telogen phase. This factor quickly results in hair loss.
- Alopecia Areata: An autoimmune disorder called alopecia areata causes abrupt, uneven hair loss on the scalp or other areas of the body because the immune system mistakenly targets the hair follicles. It may develop into alopecia totalis in certain instances, which means complete scalp hair loss.
- Traction Alopecia: This kind of hair loss happens when the hair follicles are repeatedly pulled or strained, frequently as a result of tight hairstyles like ponytails, braids, or extensions. Hair loss near the hairline or in places where strain is highest might result from traction alopecia.
- Trichotillomania: The compulsive need to pull out one’s own hair, which causes noticeable hair loss, is a defining feature of trichotillomania, a psychological disorder. Even though it is one of the less common causes of hair shedding in women, the results are significant, and if not managed with therapy, it frequently causes uneven bald patches in the scalp.
- Cicatricial (Scarring) Alopecia: This category of uncommon conditions is characterised by inflammation that kills hair follicles and that quickly results in scarring and often irreversible hair loss. These disorders may be caused by infections, autoimmune reactions, or other factors as well, but their precise aetiology is frequently unknown.
Certain types of hair loss can be managed by treating any underlying medical issues. Moreover, early alopecia treatment can even encourage regrowth and slow the thinning rate. If you face hair loss issues, you can always learn more about what to anticipate in your specific circumstances from a trained healthcare professional.
Typical Causes of Hair Shedding in Women
Certain forms of hair loss are irreversible, particularly if your hair follicles are damaged, but the treatment options entirely depend on the exact cause behind hair loss! These are some of the reasons for female hair shedding.
1. Underlying Health Issues
Many underlying health issues can be the reason behind your abrupt hair shedding. These are the most common:
- Anemia
- Thyroid imbalance
- Pregnancy
- Ringworm, which is contagious
- Skin disorders such as seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis
- Infections of the scalp
- STD (sexually transmitted diseases)
- Autoimmune illness
- Diabetes
2. Stress
Physical stress or severe emotional stress can cause hair loss, and in such cases, after a stressful event, hair loss may start occurring a few weeks later. Usually, this kind of hair loss reduces naturally, but it may take six to nine months for your hair to return to normal when the stress has subsided.
3. Trichotillomania
This is a psychological disorder in which people start to pluck hairs from their head, eyebrows, and other body parts as a stress reaction or habit. Over time, the symptoms may worsen, so consult your doctor if you cannot stop these actions. Good news? The hairs will most likely come back once you stop pulling them out, unless it’s chronic pulling, which may damage hair follicles.
4. Pregnancy
One of the most common reasons for hair shedding in women is pregnancy. Many people don’t know that hair loss is a common problem, particularly after giving birth. Hair loss is most likely to occur three months after giving birth, that’s because after delivery, your estrogen levels fall. When your hormones return to normal, your hair normally grows back, so don’t worry too much about it.
5. Menopause
Menopause is often a common cause of sudden hair loss in women. As your levels of progesterone and estrogen decline throughout menopause, you experience hair loss. Also, during this time, your hair may grow more slowly, become thinner, and fall out more easily.
6. Diet
If you lose considerable weight due to strict dieting, your body receives less nutrition than usual during this phase. You receive less protein, iron, or other nutrients, and form a deficiency in vitamin D, all of which are necessary for good hair health.
7. Environmental Factors
Causes of hair shedding in women include exposure to environmental pollutants, ultraviolet light, and severe weather because of the harm those factors cause to your hair and scalp.
8. Age
As you age, it can become one of the most natural reasons for hair shedding in women. Age-related hormonal changes might result in hair loss. Also, as people age, their hair growth process naturally slows down, so you might also notice hair thinning.
Hair Loss Treatments for Women
Now that we have discussed the common reason for hair falling out females, let’s take a look at the treatment options. The good news is that you have several excellent options, ranging from over-the-counter topical treatments to prescription drugs or in-office procedures, such as:
- Topical therapies: Minoxidil is used as a topical treatment for female hair loss. It comes in different strengths and is sold over the counter. Minoxidil encourages hair growth and extends the hair follicles’ growth period when administered twice a day directly to the scalp.
- Oral drugs: Because of the possible adverse effects, women are not usually prescribed finasteride, a drug that is frequently used to treat male-pattern baldness. To help control hormones and lessen hair loss, some women might benefit from oral contraceptives or drugs like spironolactone, and that often helps.
- Low-level laser therapy (LLLT): Low-level laser light is applied to the scalp by LLLT devices, which stimulate hair follicles and encourage hair growth quickly. LLLT must be used in clinical settings with larger equipment or at home with handheld devices. Although it’s usually regarded as non-invasive and safe, results could not be seen for several months, even after you use it consistently.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: A concentrated solution of the patient’s blood platelets is injected into the scalp during this procedure to promote hair growth. PRP treatment can increase hair density and encourage the regeneration of hair follicles, but it can take several sessions to offer the best possible effects.
- Nutritional supplements: Supplements including vitamins (such as biotin, vitamin D, and vitamin E), minerals (like iron and zinc), and essential fatty acids may help enhance hair health and encourage growth if nutritional inadequacies are the cause of your hair loss. Remember, before starting any type of supplements, it is imperative that you speak with a healthcare provider to be sure they are suitable and safe for your specific needs and overall health.
- SMP, or scalp micropigmentation: SMP is a non-surgical technique that creates the illusion of hair follicles by tattooing tiny dots on the scalp and can be a simple solution for a woman’s appearance after female hair shedding. It’s frequently used to cover up portions of the scalp that show through thin hair patches.
- Changes in lifestyle: A balanced diet, consistent exercise, stress reduction methods, and gentle hair care routines are all part of a healthy lifestyle that can highly effectively promote overall hair health and slowly lessen hair loss as well.
- Hair transplantation: Hair transplant surgery might be an option in cases of more severe hair loss that cannot be reversed with the usual methods we discussed above. During this procedure, hair follicles are taken from the donor, which are often the sides or back of the scalp, and then those are transplanted into balding or thinning areas. Permanent and natural-looking outcomes from hair transplantation are possible this way.
If you are experiencing female hair shedding, it is highly recommended that you consult your physician without delaying unnecessarily. They can provide treatment choices to help manage your specific condition, effectively assist you through a thorough diagnosis, and find out what might be causing it.
Conclusion
Female hair loss is a common problem worldwide, but these days it is possible to find out the causes of hair shedding in women and start the right treatment. Although a large percentage of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives, many people still believe it is a condition that mostly affects men, which is simply not true. You must become aware that women can successfully manage hair loss and preserve healthy, attractive hair by addressing the issue early on, by obtaining the appropriate therapy.
