Hair loss is a condition commonly associated with males; however, females can also succumb to this condition. Hair grows in cycles beginning with the Anagen phase where hair is actively growing as the root cells multiply rapidly. The Anagen phase takes roughly 28 days to complete before your hair growth enters the Catagen phase. During the Catagen phase, club hair is formed and nutrients cease entrance into the hair follicles, thus beginning the Telogen, or resting phase. During the resting phase it is normal for you to shed hair, a few strands at a time; however, some women find hair shedding to be excessive. So what causes hair loss in women? There is no simple cut-and-dry answer that would explain every case of women’s hair loss.
Alopecia is the medical term given to hair loss and covers an array of causes. Androgenetic alopecia occurs when dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, attaches to the individual hair follicles. This attachment causes hair growth to slow as it shortens growth cycles and promotes resting and shedding. Over time your hair becomes thinner and ceases to grow completely. Another form of alopecia known as alopecia areata, occurs when the immune system is compromised and weakened. Illness, genetic disease and allergens can cause hair loss in women by stunting the growth of new hairs and blocking necessary nutrients from nourishing the hair follicle. Alopecia areata is a temporary form of women’s hair loss and is highly treatable through medication.
While medical complications are at the forefront of hair loss, your hair care practices may also be causing increased shedding and thinning. Traction alopecia is a term describing hair loss from the use of hair bands and certain hairstyles such as braids. As your hair is pulled tightly into these styles, the follicle becomes damaged and eventually breaks. This causes your hair to become thin and slows natural hair growth because of the constant tension pulling at the root. Traction alopecia is best treated by wearing your hair down as much as possible and avoiding braids or tight headgear.
Hormonal changes in women are unavoidable as puberty, pregnancy and menopause trigger fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone. The result is often thinning hair around the crown and excessive shedding. The use of birth control can also trigger hair loss in women as it increases hormone production in attempt to suppress your menstrual cycle. Once hormones are regulated through medical treatment or stopping the use of certain hormone therapies, hair can start growing back within three months. As hormone therapies can cause hair loss so can certain medications. Prescription medications used to treat gout, arthritis, depression and blood pressure have been linked to women’s hair loss by causing other hormonal fluctuations such as seratonin.
Very rarely, women suffer infection of the scalp, leading to the death of hair roots and follicles. A condition known as cicatricial alopecia, scars the hair follicles causing permanent hair loss and prevents any growth from occurring. Unfortunatley, this condition is not treatable and is permanent.