Causes of Female Hair Loss and Treatment Options
Though many women who are losing their hair or have thinning hair notice it around their 50s, women can lose their hair or begin thinning at any point in their lives and for various different reasons. Women often notice the loss because the part in their hair gets wider or more scalp than normal is exposed when they pull back their hair.
The reasons for female hair loss are many. Some are due to thyroid gland problems and others to autoimmune diseases attacking the body. Androgenetic alopecia, a hereditary condition that causes women to lose their hair over time, is another culprit for female hair loss. Pregnancy, anemia and polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause women to lose their hair. Skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis can affect hair growth and loss. Major surgery can also lead to hair loss. Some women struggle with graying hair. Graying hair vitamins promotes healthy, youthful hair growth.
But medical conditions and treatments are not the only reason women lose their hair. Hair loss can be caused by stress, losing a lot of weight too quickly and taking too much Vitamin A. Hair loss can also be the result of chemical treatments, dyes, blow-drying, and pulling too much on the hair, especially wet hair to either dry it or manipulate it into hairstyles that abuse the hair follicle.
While there are many medical treatments geared towards men who are losing their hair, options for women are more limited. The drug minoxidil 2% concentration is one option, though some doctors do prescribe the higher 5% concentration for women. There are other prescription medicines that can also be used, such as ketoconazole and finasteride, as well as androgen receptor inhibitors. Some oral contraceptives can also be used to fight hair loss, though others might actually cause it. Estrogen and progesterone pills or lotions can be prescribed for women who are losing their hair and are going through menopause or have some hormonal imbalance.
Women can also choose the natural path. Eating a healthy, balanced diet that includes iron-rich foods and omega-3 fatty acids while taking hair growth vitamins can really impact hair growth. Making sure that they are getting all their vitamins, and Vitamin B-12 in particular, is important to promote healthy hair growth. Drinking green tea also seems to help women with some forms of hair loss. Some herbs, such as a palmetto, can also be useful, but these should not be taken without a doctor's supervision because they can affect the body in other ways.
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