Hair Loss Women

Some of the most common hair loss causes, other than female pattern baldness are: stress related hair loss may be a factor in the hair loss.  Furthermore, stress can increase the speed of the hair loss process of individuals who have genetically inherited the trait.  Severe stress, such as the loss of a loved one, severe illness or major surgery, may lead to hair loss.

 

Additionally, prescription drugs, chemo and radiation therapies, and diseases, such as circulatory disorders and arthritis, can cause hair loss. Temporary hair loss may be initiated by medications, such as blood pressure drugs, Beta Blockers for depression,  oral contraceptives as artificial Estrogens, Naproxin Sodium (Nuprin) and others.  Also, excessive intake of iron or vitamin A is toxic and can cause hair loss. Some illnesses may lead to thinning hair, including: thyroid disease, overactive or under active thyroid gland,  ringworm, syphilis, and even high fever. 

 

Ringworm of the scalp is a fungal infection affecting the hair follicles, resulting in hair loss. This is contagious and  is most common in children as a hair loss cause.  Prescribed treatments of lotions or oral drugs may help hair re-growth and stop hair loss. Furthermore, skin cancer can directly destroy hair follicles. Also, burns permanently damage the exposed skin deeply, causing baldness.

 

Psychological effects of hair loss vary greatly.  Some people barely pay attention to their thinning hair and others being affected so severely that even a small amount of hair loss can limit their ability to feel comfortable in social situations and work.

 

Many women are emotionally affected even when thinning is in its very early stage.  For men it is “OK to be bald. However, any hair loss in women is socially unacceptable.

 

The development of new surgical techniques, allow women who are losing their hair and still have adequate donor hair to have a completely natural restoration.

 

What health issues may cause hair loss in women?

• Pregnancy and the months after labor, post-partum
• Women who go through menopause
• Female hormonal imbalance
• At any stage when estrogen levels decrease and testosterone increases. 
• When starting or stopping oral contraceptives, birth control pills
• anxiety habits, such as, compulsive hair pulling.  The psychological reasons must be addressed.
• Scarring alopecia occurs in African-American women and due to persistent tight braiding of hair, or inflammation of hair follicles and subsequent scarring.
• Medical illness Alopecia areata, causes hair to fall out in clumps and causes bald spots, which may progress to complete hair loss.   Medical diagnosis will determine this auto immune disease.