What is the cause of female hair loss?
The most common cause of hair loss in women is female pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia. This type of hair loss can be genetic or caused by hormonal changes. The latter is more common for younger women who experience a dramatic drop in estrogen production after giving birth when they are going through menopause. Other causes include thyroid disease, iron deficiency anemia, nutrient deficiencies, pregnancy-related stomach problems, medications side effects and stress .
Often I get told by clients that they are losing their hair because there’s so much hair falling out and in fact sometimes this is just normal hair shedding. On average we shed about 80 to 100 hairs a day and this is nothing to be worried about and quite normal and if you’re not washing your hair that often then what can happen is the hair can get caught within the rest of your hair and not shed like it normally would if maybe your hair was shorter… Now, assuming that’s not the case then read on as I go over some of the common causes for female hair loss.
There are 5 main reasons why you may be experiencing female hair loss and they are:
- emotional stress
- physical stress
- dramatic weight loss
- vitamin deficiency
- protein deficiency
So let’s take a closer look at each one…
Emotional Stress Hairloss
The first one is emotional stress. This can be caused by the loss of a loved one, you may have just had your second child and are in need of some help to adjust to being a new mom again or maybe you’ve been through something traumatic like getting divorced all these things can contribute to hair loss.
Physical Stress Hairloss
Major physical stress to the body can cause telogen effluvium – a temporary form of hair loss that forces follicles into the resting phase of the hair cycle prematurely. This type of hair loss is characterized by a sudden onset and spontaneous recovery.
Some examples are starving yourself, weight training too much or not at all, excessive exercise (running), having an illness like lupus that causes chronic inflammation in your body….
Dramatic weight loss
Telogen effluvium is the cause of hair loss in people who are losing weight at a fairly rapid pace. Weight loss is beneficial for those people that are carrying too much weight. Yet, rapid weight loss is a stress to the system. This stress will accelerate the hair growth cycle and telogen effluvium will result.
The weight loss comes off quickly and the body cannot keep up with hair production. The lack of hair is a result of hormones that are no longer as active due to excess fat mass being lost from your body at an alarming rate.
It may seem like there’s plenty of time for new hairs to be produced, but in reality, this is not always the case.
Vitamin deficiency
The most common cause of female hair loss is iron deficiency in premenopausal women. This condition could be a symptom of another medical concern.
Iron helps produce hemoglobin, which delivers nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. Lack of iron means that the hair won’t grow, so over time, it becomes progressively thinner. Some other potential causes of an iron deficiency include:
- Not eating enough iron-rich foods, such as red meat, seafood, and beans
- Blood loss from ulcers
- Certain cancers, such as colon cancer
Vitamin D
When vitamin D is low, the hair may thin or stop growing.
Zinc
Zinc deficiency may lead to hair loss that resembles iron deficiency and also weakens any hair still left on the head, causing it to break.
Selenium
Selenium deficiency is rare. When it occurs, it may disrupt thyroid functioning, which can cause hypothyroidism and hair loss.
Those with vitamin-related hair loss are not just losing hair from the scalp. This damage to the hair follicles can cause hair to fall out on other areas of the body, such as eyebrows and lashes.
Treating Hair Loss and Vitamin Deficiency
The most important thing to remember about your health with regard to hair loss is that you should never self-diagnose. A doctor can give a thorough diagnosis and treatments for hair loss, including different possibilities. However there are some really good hair supplements avalible on the market that can help with hair loss and maintain healthy hair.
Protein deficiency
Hair loss can occasionally be the result of a protein-deficient diet. People who go on crash diets that exclude protein or have abnormal eating habits may develop protein malnutrition.
Protein deficiency causes hair loss because it’s the essential nutrient for healthy hair growth. Protein also helps to repair cells, so a lack of protein can make both skin and hair less resistant to damage caused by free radicals.
The most important thing to remember about your health with regard to hair loss is that you should never self-diagnose. A doctor can give a thorough diagnosis and treatments for hair loss, including different possibilities.”
“Protein deficiency causes hair loss because it’s the essential nutrient for healthy hair growth. Protein also helps to repair cells.
What is the most effective treatment for hair loss?
Products with minoxidil help many people regrow their hair or slow the rate of hair loss or both.
To be most effective, apply the product to the scalp skin once daily for women and twice daily for men. Many people prefer the foam applied when the hair is wet.
Try to avoide product that can swell the hair making it feel thicker… At first this can feel like your hair is thicker and fuller however over time your hair will become dry and brittle and this could lead to breakage.
Can female hair loss be stopped?
Female pattern baldness isn’t reversible. Proper treatment can stop the hair loss and potentially help regrow some of the hair you’ve already lost. Treatments can take up to 12 months to start working. You’ll need to stay on them long-term to keep from losing your hair again.
Can hair loss from dehydration be reversed?
Dryness of scalp skin along with shrinkage is seen when there is no proper hydration. This can only be restored by drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water a day and consuming water-rich foods. Dehydration halts hair growth. So make sure you drink plenty of water and if your in any doubt then consult your doctor.
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