Hair Loss in Women

August 19th, 2011

While most people relate hair loss to men, the truth is that issues of hair loss in women are almost as common. In fact, the most common form of hair loss is known as “Female Pattern Baldness”, the female version of this same disorder that affects millions of men. Along with this, there are other forms of female baldness but in all cases, understanding the cause is the best method for getting effective and safe treatment.

Female Pattern Baldness

Because this is the most common form of hair loss in women, we will use this as an example of what many women around the world face. Along with a brief description, information specific to causes, risks, and treatment options currently available are provided. For balding of this type, hair would fall out in a standard pattern. While there are some women that would not benefit from treatments, most see some degree of improvement.

Causes of Hair Loss

In healthy hair, when a woman loses hair new hair would grow to takes its place but with this particular problem, once hair falls out new growth does not occur. There are a number of reasons for female pattern baldness to include the following:

  • The normal aging process
  • Hormonal changes specific to androgens, which are actually male hormones that often fluctuate during menopause
  • Family history of hair loss in women of this type

Signs of Hair Loss

Every day, women lose about 100 strands of hair, which is evident when looking at the brush or comb used. While this seems like a significant amount of hair, it is actually considered within the norm. However, in cases of actual hair loss in women as it relates to female pattern baldness, signs of a problem would be distinct.

  • Noticeable hair loss on the top of the head and crown area that begins to spread
  • While hair falls out at the top of the head and crown, it would remain intact at the front hairline
  • Some women might experience a good amount of hair loss but total baldness would be unlikely

Testing for Female Hair Loss

Medical professionals can use a number of methods to confirm cases of female pattern baldness, as well as other causes for hair loss in women. The more common aspects of medical testing include:

  • Blood tests to rule out illness that might be causing hair loss
  • Elimination of other reasons outside of female pattern baldness for the change
  • Review of family and personal medical history
  • Identify any abnormal hair growth to include hair growing on the abdomen or perhaps the face
  • Change in monthly menstrual cycle
  • Enlarged clitoris
  • New acne outbreaks
  • Skin biopsy
  • Hair analysis whereby the hair’s structure would be carefully examined by a trained professional under a microscope
  • Review of diet and lifestyle patterns

Treating Hair Loss in Women

Although women feel devastated when facing this kind of problem, the good news is that there are several effective and safe treatment options. One important note specific to female pattern baldness is that unless treatment is provided quickly, the condition could be permanent. Although most women only experience slight hair loss, it could become more intense if not corrected. The following are the treatment options that most doctors recommend.

  • Minoxidil – For this, a 2% concentration would be applied to and massaged into the scalp. Currently, this is the only drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration for hair loss in women. When used as prescribed, women typically see as much as a 25% improvement. Even for those with lower results, the drug can slow down hair loss or prevent additional loss. Unfortunately, the cost of Minoxidil is expensive but it does work.
  • Oral Spironolactone – In cases when Minoxidil is not effective or not providing desired results, oral spironolactone could be used in conjunction with Minoxidil or in place of it. This particular medication has been proven most effective when androgen hormone levels are excessive. The downside is that oral spironolactone has not yet been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and because it increases potassium in the blood, pregnant women or those with kidney disease must avoid using it.

Hair Transplant Surgery – While this method for dealing with hair loss in women is more invasive, when done by a qualified surgeon, the outcome is usually positive.

Stress and Hair Loss in Women – What are the Best Remedies?

August 30th, 2011

Stress and emotional disorders cause short term hair loss in women. Stress and hair loss in women are interrelated. Hair loss could be due to both physical stress and psychological. Needless to say you need to adopt a stress free lifestyle for ensuring that you don’t get caught in the hair loss spiral.

The problems of mental stress have physical impacts too. You could take supplements such as vitamin B to boost hair growth. Then again, Vitamin B along with many essential fatty acids happens to be highly helpful when it comes to treating malnutrition.

Stress and hair loss in women are interrelated, but you could fight them off with the right kind of diet. Avoid crash dieting and malnutrition by all means. Excessively saturated fats could also cause severe hair losses. Besides vitamin B as well as vital fatty acids, there’re lots of other diet oriented ways for treating stress and hair loss in women. Soy is the key ingredient within tofu which makes this food super nutritional. Then again, there are other highly-admired foodstuffs that contain plant-laden estrogen like black cohosh. Read the rest of this entry »

Can Stress Lead to Hair Loss in Women?

August 24th, 2011

Stress and emotional disorders cause short term hair loss in women. Stress and hair loss in women are interrelated. Hair loss could be due to both physical stress and psychological. Needless to say you need to adopt a stress free lifestyle for ensuring that you don’t get caught in the hair loss spiral.

The problems of mental stress have physical impacts too. You could take supplements such as vitamin B to boost hair growth. Then again, Vitamin B along with many essential fatty acids happens to be highly helpful when it comes to treating malnutrition.

Stress and hair loss in women are interrelated, but you could fight them off with the right kind of diet. Avoid crash dieting and malnutrition by all means. Excessively saturated fats could also cause severe hair losses. Besides vitamin B as well as vital fatty acids, there’re lots of other diet Read the rest of this entry »

The Excessive Primary Causes of Excessive Hair Loss in Women

August 19th, 2011

There are different kinds of causes of excessive hair loss in women. But the most severe causes are chemotherapy and exposure to radiation. Drugs that are designed to destroy cancerous cells can as well poison your hair follicles. This oftentimes results into total hair loss.

If this type of problems persists the hair on your head is usually affected.  Your scalp turns tenderer. Your hair still keeps growing, but might turn dry and fragile. In general, hair loss starts about 2 or 3 weeks following the initial chemotherapy dose. Complete hair loss usually occurs 1 to 2 months after that. Your hair oftentimes grows back just 3 to 4 months following the final chemotherapy treatment. Since hair might grow back, chances are high that it grows thinner and in an unusual color – looking gray, dull or white. This is because of the absence of pigmentation. In many instances the hair will ultimately return to its original texture and color. Radiation therapy can destroy the capacity of hair follicle cells to nurture or reproduce. When radiation is applied onto the head / neck, this might cause excessive hair loss. The problem is called Alopecia, and the hair might not at all grow back.

Harmful hair products can cause excessive hair loss as well. Chemicals applied to color, bleach, straighten or perm the hair could damage it and make it broken – especially if they’re overused or have been used incorrectly somehow. Then again, they might also damage your hair follicle and this might in turn cause permanent damages. You can also be faced with this problem if you Read the rest of this entry »

Do Hair Loss Supplements Work?

August 19th, 2011

Today, millions suffer from hair loss. It is something both men and women deal with. Fortunately, hair loss supplements could be the answer that you are looking for. Take vitamin supplements that are made particularly for hair loss sufferers.

There’re lots of natural female hair loss products currently available. These contain essential nutrients for preventing hair loss. They aren’t any costlier than most other supplements. Use a special shampoo rich in essential vitamins and minerals to deal with your hair loss. This helps clear off the dead hair follicles. Keep your scalp clean as well as free from substances causing hair loss.

Use saw palmetto supplements or special supplements from nettle root extracts. Such herbs are effective for blocking the hormones causing hair loss in case of pattern baldness. As you use such hair loss supplements, all the existing problem of hair loss could go away. Then again, you might also prevent potential hair loss. Take more minerals like zinc and magnesium. At times hair loss occurs because you have a zinc deficiency. Massage essential Read the rest of this entry »

Help for Those Suffering from Post Childbirth Hair Loss

July 19th, 2011

If you experience hair loss after childbirth, reading this article will be worthwhile. Many women out there shed 100s of hairs every day after childbirth. This is not good for the looks of women.

When women breastfeed, their hair loss can stop growing till the baby is weaned. After a few months of owning thicker hair during pregnancy, nearly all moms are worried as they see the extra strands on their combs. Do not worry. This is perfectly normal. This should give an answer to the most common question regarding hair loss after pregnancy. Generally, this problem is shared by nearly all new moms.

Most of the hair loss cases following pregnancy generally last between 3 and 4 months. Even though hair loss might be significant, it’s usually not harsh enough to give you bald spots and permanent thinning. Hair loss after childbirth is generally associated with the imbalance of hormones in your body. It’s likely that you will experience a hike in your hair production during pregnancy. That is your body’s method of bringing the hair thickness to usual level. At times there’s an association between low and high level of thyroid activity and hair loss. Blood tests can shed light on the cause of hair loss if the doctor suspects thyroid problems. Read the rest of this entry »

Hair Loss Shampoo for Women – Does it Work?

June 19th, 2011

Ordinary shampoos are too harsh to be used on your thinning hair. Fortunately, there is high quality hair loss shampoo for women. Some shampoos are loaded with special elements to curb or reverse female hair loss problems. Use a good hair loss shampoo as soon as you notice the first hair thinning signs. This is essential for ensuring health hair in the long run.

Before you actually end up investing 100s of bucks in any costly hair loss treatments, pick one that has been processed with the use of a special copper peptide technology to reduce the problem of thinning hair. Such products are effective for stopping early hair losses as well. Remember that the best hair loss shampoo for women is free from harsh chemicals. Such shampoos are capable of softly cleansing your hair and scalp for protecting the fragile hair. Then again, some shampoos have special active ingredients made from palm tree fruits.

The hair loss shampoo for women that you choose should be capable of naturally reducing the overall production of dihydrotestosterone or DHT, which Read the rest of this entry »

The Top Vitamins for Hair Loss

May 7th, 2011

There are many vitamins that can work well to help treat hair loss in women. Hair loss is caused by numerous factors like lack of proper nutrition, stress, sickness, and deficiency of vitamins / minerals. Apart from vitamins and minerals, there are numerous hair products out there to help promote hair growth. Those can also make your hair much thicker.

To ensure optimal hair growth, take some vitamins daily. Vitamin supplements are good. Still the best method for supplementation is to get vitamins naturally by eating vitamin-rich foods.

There are many minerals and vitamins for hair loss, but the most important ones are B complex, C, iron as well as lysine. They are perfect for ensuring maximum hair health and growth. Vitamins like C are especially helpful. It is effective for preventing the brittle strands and breakage. On the other hand, Vitamin B1 helps your body by creating protein, which is an essential element for shiny and healthy hair, skin tone and bright nails. It helps enhance the thickness of your hair follicles. Other important elements are Niacin and vitamin E. They are great vitamins aiding hair growth in women. There are different kinds of minerals like zinc, iron and magnesium that work for preventing hair thinning and hair loss.

The every day recommended quantity for a woman is 75 to 2,000 mgs of vitamin C. Women should get around 18mg of iron. Besides, 310 mgs of magnesium and around 15 mgs to 1,000 mgs of vitamin E should be taken. Niacin as well is vital. Take 14 mgs to 35 mgs of it. The every day suggested vitamin B1 dose is about 1.1 mgs. 12 mgs of lysine as well as 8 mgs of zinc are Read the rest of this entry »