Hair loss is rarely viewed as a good thing for men or women but due to the fact that men tend to lose hair more commonly, it can be a little alarming when women begin to thin on top There are a number of common causes of hair loss in women, and fortunately, many of them have treatments which can reduce loss, and even stimulate new growth.
Hormones:
A major force in every woman's life that can alter everything from mood to physical appearance are hormones. Hormones change throughout a woman's lifespan, sometimes for natural reasons, other times due to stress, illness, or medications. When your hormones fluctuate, it can have a substantial impact on hair. Some women find themselves losing more hair during menopause. Women with thyroid gland irregularities may also suffer from hormonal hair loss.
This is one of the most common causes of hair loss in women, but it is also quite manageable, depending on the reason for the hormonal changes, and whether or not your doctor feels that it would be safe to try and re-balance hormones through medication or other treatments.
Genetics:
Just as men can find themselves losing hair due to family genetics, women can suffer from female pattern baldness as well. This hereditary trait is not generally as common in females, but can be traced back through families. If your mother or grandmother suffered from hair loss due to genetics, there is always a chance that you or your daughters will carry the same trait.
Treatments for genetic hair loss fall under an assortment of medicated shampoos, scalp treatments, and hair plugs.
Infections:
Ringworm and other scalp related infections are also common causes of hair loss in women, and are easily treated by a family doctor or dermatologist. A prescription cream or oral tablet usually rids a patient of ringworm quickly. Once the infection has cleared, all of the scaly, itchy patches, where hair has fallen out, should clear up and experience hair regrowth.
Pregnancy:
Most women report thicker, more voluptuous hair during pregnancy, but this isn't the case for all women. A select few will have the opposite reaction due to hormonal changes in the body. Fortunately, pregnancy only lasts 9 months, and following the re-balancing of your hormones, you should see an improvement in hair growth.
Stress:
Anxiety, depression, and daily stress all take a physical toll on the body. Fatigue, malaise, and hair loss are common physical symptoms. Women who lose strands due to stress can stop the loss and regrow naturally once the stressors have subsided. If you are losing your hair and are concerned that stress is the cause, you should see a doctor to determine the underlying reason for the stress and whether or not there is a way he or she can help.
If you are experiencing any of these common causes of hair loss in women, or your hair is falling out for an unknown reason, you should contact a medical professional. Other causes of hair loss include hair pulling disorder, HIV, alopecia, and malnutrition.