Female Hair Loss: A Growing Problem?
It is estimated that about 30 million women in America experience female hair loss. Dermatologists report that female hair loss can begin as young as 15 years old. For many women, their hair is their pride and joy. In the New Testament, a woman's hair is referred to as "her crown". Female hair loss is seen as a loss of identity and a loss of femininity. The American Academy of Dermatology reports that more women than ever are going bald.
Male Pattern Baldness
Male pattern baldness occurs mostly in men but is also responsible for some female hair loss. In male pattern baldness, also called androgenic alopecia, your genes dictate whether you are going to go hairless or not. There's not much hope for regrowing the hair of those with male-pattern baldness, but is has happened.
Dermatologists now believe that this happen in women far less than previously thought. Some even do not like using the words "male pattern baldness" and "woman" in the same sentence, as they believe we still need to find the hormones that control woman' hair growth. Why doesn't a woman have a receding hair line or bald spots like men who have male pattern baldness? We do not know.
Reporting Changes
A long time ago, a woman's hair was a very private affair. It just wasn't talked about. In some societies like strict Hasidic Jewish sects, women have to shave their heads and wear wigs. In some societies, women cannot be seen in public with their heads uncovered. The hair of a woman was a magically sensuous object, ready to lead any man into temptation.
In the Western world, medicine is easier to come by and the taboos for what you can talk about with your doctor have mostly lifted. There is a theory that the reason for why there seems more female hair loss than ever before is that now women are comfortable talking to their doctors about it.
Sudden hair loss can be the signs of a major illness. When the body is fighting an illness, or malnutrition, it does not have enough energy to keep your hair growing. Sudden hair loss means clumps coming out, not just a few strands. Whenever you have sudden hair loss, you need to see your doctor.
You can't get proper treatment for female hair loss until you get a correct diagnosis. This may take a while, so be patient. You may need to have blood work and a scalp biopsy.
