About thirty million women in the United States suffer from female hair loss. Hair loss in women is ! most often associated with menopause, although it can affect women of any age. Loss of hair in both women and men can result in a loss of self confidence. There are a number of causes for female hair loss and treatments are available. The first step to dealing with the problem is to see your doctor and determine the cause of your hair loss.
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.
In women, hormonal changes can effect the growth of hair. Typically, pregnant women have greater hair growth than at other times in their lives. Menopause and puberty can trigger changes in hair growth. Researchers are studying the effects of hormones on ! hair growth. Eventually there may be a hormonal treatment for hair loss in women.
Solutions and Treatments
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.
If your hair loss is sudden and the hair is falling out in clumps, you should see your doctor immediately. This type of hair loss can be a symptom of a serious health problem. Most hair loss is gradual, but the health of hair and nails can be a reflection of overall physical health.
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.
