What Are The Causes Of Hair Loss In Women?
Hair loss is a condition that most people assume only happens to men. It is now known that as many as one in four women are also affected by this cosmetic affliction. The public as a whole does not recognize women's hair loss in part due to the fact that women are better at disguising their loss of hair, as well as the fact that a woman's hair loss is not as severe as a man's hair loss. So here is the question. What are the causes of hair loss in women?
Female Pattern Baldness
The most common cause of hair loss in women is actually the same cause as it is in men: female pattern baldness. There is a condition called androgenetic alopecia that happens when testosterone (women have testosterone in their bodies too) travels to your hair and causes a reaction. This reaction of chemicals called DHT causes the hair to fall out. Usually this cause of hair loss in women does not occur until later in life and because of female hormones that counteract the testosterone, the hair loss is not as drastic and noticeable as it is when men lose their hair.
Telogen Effluvium
The second most common cause of hair loss in women is called Telogen Effluvium, more commonly known as stress. Have you ever heard the saying, "stress will make your hair fall out?" Well, it is true! When you experience any kind of traumatic event that shocks your system, the resulting stress of that event will interrupt your hair growth cycle by blocking the vitamins and nutrients that your hair needs to grow from reaching their destination, which is ultimately your hair. This will result in your hair beginning to thin and fall out. Having a baby is a good example of an event that can shock your body system and cause enough stress on your body to interrupt your hair growth cycle. It really makes sense that this cause of hair loss in women is very common.
Alopecia Areata
The third most common cause of hair loss in women is called Alopecia Areata. This condition occurs when the hair loss is not total, but only happens in certain spots. This can happen on your head or on other parts of your body. There is not very much known about this particular cause of hair loss in women, but it is possible that it is caused by immune deficiencies. Sometimes, however, the hair in these spots will grow back, but other times it will not. More research is needed to know for sure what causes this type of hair loss in women.
Even though this is a mostly cosmetic issue for women, hair loss can still be a serious condition and should not be ignored.
