Did you know that hair loss is as much a problem in women as it is among men? Gone are the days when it was assumed that only men go bald - women too lose hair. It's just that they take longer to accept the fact that they are balding.
Having a 'bad hair day' once in a while is acceptable. Everyone loses about fifty to hundred hairs per day while you shower or brush. However, if you notice significant hair loss regularly it's time you visited your doctor as it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. There can be various reasons for hair loss.
It could be nutritional changes, stress, dramatic weight loss, genetic factors, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, puberty and menopause, medical conditions like thyroid disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Although most forms of hair loss are permanent, in some cases, they maybe treated.
Here are a few causes of hair loss:
Genetic hair loss
In genetic hair loss, the follicle gets thinner, smaller and finer until it stops producing completely. Hair loss has a massive psychological impact on women and it also affects their self-esteem, quality of life, relationships and confidence. Losing hair or balding like men is a fact that women are reluctant to accept that it could happen to them. However, a visit to a doctor might help clear the issue.
Hypothyroidism
Yet another cause of hair loss could be hypothyroidism. Hundreds of people suffer from thyroid disorders, of which most of them are women.
You are said to have hypothyroidism when your body is producing less thyroid hormone (hormone which is responsible for heart rate, your mood fluctuations and metabolism). So, as metabolism imbalance develops, you will experience hair loss. So, visit your doctor who will prescribe medication to restore your thyroid levels to normal.
Stress
The other factor which might lead to hair loss is stress. Stress could be either physical or emotional. The good news is that this type of hair loss is almost always treatable. However, if you already have a history of hereditary hair loss, stress can accelerate your hair loss process.
Stress could be due to drastic weight loss, excessive travel, change of water, illness, strenuous training/sports, loss of someone close and surgeries.
Surgery or illness
In case you've undergone a surgery or have been ill for a long time, your body will use all the available energy to get you back on foot (the healing period). Hence, the production of hair during this period of stress is nil, mainly because you don't need hair for survival. This might be anywhere between one to six months, depending on how quickly you heal. Once your body has healed hair production will resume.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
It can be depressing to see more hair on your hairbrush or sink than on your head. While, thick, lustrous cascading tress is something all women long for, PCOS can ruin it for you!
The medical term for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is androgenic alopecia and if you are suffering from PCOS means your body is producing abnormally high levels of androgens (male hormones) or your hair becomes more sensitive to the normal levels of male hormone. In PCOS, women often complain of excessive facial hair growth and at the same time experience hair loss on their heads, again due to the hormonal change.
With the right kind of treatment hair loss associated with PCOS can be controlled because, in spite of the fact that hair is thinning, your hair follicles are still intact and alive. This means new hair growth is possible.
Prevention of hair loss in women is not so difficult. Make sure your diet has a good balance of fruits and vegetables.
* Drink lots of water every day
* Minimize use of heat styling, chemical treatments, tying up hair tightly, or even excessive brushing
* Proteins should always be a part of your daily diet, as they are very beneficial for preventing hair loss. The best sources of protein are eggs, poultry, lean meats, seeds, grains, soy, nuts and dairy products.
* Vitamin E is known for improving circulation and increase blood flow to your scalp. Healthy blood carries vitamins and minerals to the roots keeping your strands lustrous and beautiful.
n Make sure that you add vitamin A and C to your diet as these help in keeping your scalp and hair nourished.
In addition, visiting a good doctor is advisable. Once the specific cause for your hair loss problem is identified, the doctor will come up with the right solution.
Having a 'bad hair day' once in a while is acceptable. Everyone loses about fifty to hundred hairs per day while you shower or brush. However, if you notice significant hair loss regularly it's time you visited your doctor as it could be a sign of a more serious medical condition. There can be various reasons for hair loss.
It could be nutritional changes, stress, dramatic weight loss, genetic factors, hormonal changes such as pregnancy, puberty and menopause, medical conditions like thyroid disorders and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Although most forms of hair loss are permanent, in some cases, they maybe treated.
Here are a few causes of hair loss:
Genetic hair loss
In genetic hair loss, the follicle gets thinner, smaller and finer until it stops producing completely. Hair loss has a massive psychological impact on women and it also affects their self-esteem, quality of life, relationships and confidence. Losing hair or balding like men is a fact that women are reluctant to accept that it could happen to them. However, a visit to a doctor might help clear the issue.
Hypothyroidism
Yet another cause of hair loss could be hypothyroidism. Hundreds of people suffer from thyroid disorders, of which most of them are women.
You are said to have hypothyroidism when your body is producing less thyroid hormone (hormone which is responsible for heart rate, your mood fluctuations and metabolism). So, as metabolism imbalance develops, you will experience hair loss. So, visit your doctor who will prescribe medication to restore your thyroid levels to normal.
Stress
The other factor which might lead to hair loss is stress. Stress could be either physical or emotional. The good news is that this type of hair loss is almost always treatable. However, if you already have a history of hereditary hair loss, stress can accelerate your hair loss process.
Stress could be due to drastic weight loss, excessive travel, change of water, illness, strenuous training/sports, loss of someone close and surgeries.
Surgery or illness
In case you've undergone a surgery or have been ill for a long time, your body will use all the available energy to get you back on foot (the healing period). Hence, the production of hair during this period of stress is nil, mainly because you don't need hair for survival. This might be anywhere between one to six months, depending on how quickly you heal. Once your body has healed hair production will resume.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
It can be depressing to see more hair on your hairbrush or sink than on your head. While, thick, lustrous cascading tress is something all women long for, PCOS can ruin it for you!
The medical term for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is androgenic alopecia and if you are suffering from PCOS means your body is producing abnormally high levels of androgens (male hormones) or your hair becomes more sensitive to the normal levels of male hormone. In PCOS, women often complain of excessive facial hair growth and at the same time experience hair loss on their heads, again due to the hormonal change.
With the right kind of treatment hair loss associated with PCOS can be controlled because, in spite of the fact that hair is thinning, your hair follicles are still intact and alive. This means new hair growth is possible.
Prevention of hair loss in women is not so difficult. Make sure your diet has a good balance of fruits and vegetables.
* Drink lots of water every day
* Minimize use of heat styling, chemical treatments, tying up hair tightly, or even excessive brushing
* Proteins should always be a part of your daily diet, as they are very beneficial for preventing hair loss. The best sources of protein are eggs, poultry, lean meats, seeds, grains, soy, nuts and dairy products.
* Vitamin E is known for improving circulation and increase blood flow to your scalp. Healthy blood carries vitamins and minerals to the roots keeping your strands lustrous and beautiful.
n Make sure that you add vitamin A and C to your diet as these help in keeping your scalp and hair nourished.
In addition, visiting a good doctor is advisable. Once the specific cause for your hair loss problem is identified, the doctor will come up with the right solution.