Most people think hair loss is a primarily male disease. You may be shocked to learn that women make up 40% of the people in the United States suffering from hair loss. If you’re worried about hair loss in women or are curious about hair loss treatment for women, read on. In this article we’ll discuss the causes of women hair loss, the types of hair loss for women and discuss a few of the treatment options. By the end of this article you will have a good understanding of womens hair loss and a few ideas on how to treat this distressing condition.
What Causes Hair Loss in Women
There are several types of women hair loss, among them are:
- Andogenetic Alopecia – This type of hair loss is the slight thinning of hair on all the areas of the scalp. This is generally due to androgens, the male hormones that are naturally present in women, though typically in small amounts. This type of hair loss in women is typically caused by a hormonal imbalance – pregnancy, menopause, ovarian cysts can all contribute to andogenetic alopecia.
- Anagen Effluvium – This type of hair loss occurs when the hair follicle itself has been damaged in a way that impacts it’s growth activity. The usual cause for this type of womens hair loss is chemotherapy. Although chemotherapy is designed to attack cancer cells, a common side effect is that it also impacts the hair follicles when they are in their hair growing phase. The hair shaft can narrow as a result, leading to thinner hair and ultimately hair loss.
- Telogen Effluvium – One of the most distressing types of hair loss in women, telogen effluvium is hair loss related to stress or a traumatic event like childbirth, extreme stress, a major surgery or a serious infection. Generally the hair loss is noticed three to six weeks after the major stress event. With this condition, handfuls of hair can be lost. Some women can reverse this problem by avoiding stress, but for others relief is elusive.
Hair Loss Treatment for Women
Although womens hair loss is a very distressing problem, the good news is that there are a variety of treatments available – most of them targeted at anagen effluvium. The most commonly prescribed treatments are topical, such as Minoxidil 2% Topical Treatment. Although it has a limited success rate (about 19% of users report moderate hair growth after 8 months of use) it is one of the better treatments for anagen effluvium.
Laser hair treatment is another promising hair loss treatment for women. Lasers simulating the red wavelength of the sun are applied to the scalp stimulating the follicle and increasing blood flow. 93% of participants in recent studies have reported success with this method.
Talk to your doctor about your particular situation and seek his recommendation on a treatment that is right for you.
Conclusion
Women make up 40% of the people in the US who suffer from hair loss. For years they have been ignored with only wigs as an option for sudden hair loss in women. Fortunately there are several treatments available, some with very good success rates. Now that you know more about the types and causes of hair loss you are better prepared to make a decision about the treatment that is right for you and be on your way to a fuller head of hair. Remember, women’s hair loss can be effectively treated if you know which condition you have.