Female Hair Loss: Causes and Prevention
Female hair loss is not as prevalent as that in men but it can be even more stressful for women. Two out of three women experience falling hair at some point in their lives but it is rare for women to go completely bald. There are many causes for hair loss in women and it is necessary to identify these causes in order to find the best remedy for this problem.
Hair loss can be caused by any of the following factors:
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes in a woman’s body are the most common cause of female hair loss. Pregnancy, the onset of menopause, or birth control pills can greatly affect a woman’s hormones. Hair thinning may occur immediately or within a few months following the change. This condition is temporary and hair will grow back after some time.
Genetics
Hair loss can be hereditary and may start after puberty. However, it usually sets in during the late 30’s and may accelerate upon the onset of menopause.
Stress
Many women suffering from stress experience hair loss. Shock to the system causes the hair to enter the resting stage prematurely. This causes the hair to start to fall out. Stress can be caused by high fever, illness or major surgery, severe infection, chronic illness, crash diets with inadequate protein, and various medications.
Drug Treatments or Supplements
Chemotherapy is the most common drug treatment that causes female hair loss. Some prescription drugs can also cause hair thinning. Blood thinners, cholesterol drugs, dieting supplements and medicines for high blood pressure can also cause hair loss in women.
Hair Loss Prevention
If you know what’s causing hair to fall out, it becomes easier to find a cure or a way to prevent hair loss. If a particular medicine is the cause of thinning hair, the physician can prescribe another medicine. A gynecologist can prescribe a treatment to correct hormonal imbalance. Once hormone levels return to normal, hair loss usually stops and healthy hair will soon start to grow back.
A crash diet can lead to loss of hair. Women should avoid crash dieting as this is unhealthy. A sensible diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables coupled with regular exercise can lead to a healthy lifestyle and prevent hair loss.
Massaging the scalp can also prevent excessive falling hair by stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles.
Oftentimes, female hair loss is temporary and complete hair re-growth can be achieved eventually. However, it is important to keep the body healthy with nutritious food and regular exercise.
Female hair loss is not as prevalent as that in men but it can be even more stressful for women. Two out of three women experience falling hair at some point in their lives but it is rare for women to go completely bald. There are many causes for hair loss in women and it is necessary to identify these causes in order to find the best remedy for this problem.
Hair loss can be caused by any of the following factors:
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes in a woman’s body are the most common cause of female hair loss. Pregnancy, the onset of menopause, or birth control pills can greatly affect a woman’s hormones. Hair thinning may occur immediately or within a few months following the change. This condition is temporary and hair will grow back after some time.
Genetics
Hair loss can be hereditary and may start after puberty. However, it usually sets in during the late 30’s and may accelerate upon the onset of menopause.
Stress
Many women suffering from stress experience hair loss. Shock to the system causes the hair to enter the resting stage prematurely. This causes the hair to start to fall out. Stress can be caused by high fever, illness or major surgery, severe infection, chronic illness, crash diets with inadequate protein, and various medications.
Drug Treatments or Supplements
Chemotherapy is the most common drug treatment that causes female hair loss. Some prescription drugs can also cause hair thinning. Blood thinners, cholesterol drugs, dieting supplements and medicines for high blood pressure can also cause hair loss in women.
Hair Loss Prevention
If you know what’s causing hair to fall out, it becomes easier to find a cure or a way to prevent hair loss. If a particular medicine is the cause of thinning hair, the physician can prescribe another medicine. A gynecologist can prescribe a treatment to correct hormonal imbalance. Once hormone levels return to normal, hair loss usually stops and healthy hair will soon start to grow back.
A crash diet can lead to loss of hair. Women should avoid crash dieting as this is unhealthy. A sensible diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables coupled with regular exercise can lead to a healthy lifestyle and prevent hair loss.
Massaging the scalp can also prevent excessive falling hair by stimulating blood flow to the hair follicles.
Oftentimes, female hair loss is temporary and complete hair re-growth can be achieved eventually. However, it is important to keep the body healthy with nutritious food and regular exercise.
