Cause Of Female
Hair Loss -
A Checklist
Menopause
Menopause is a major cause of female hair loss.
DHT (Dihydrotestosterone) is one of the main enemies in the hair
loss war.
DHT is a
combination of testosterone and androgen receptors mixed with
sebum and dirt particles.
DHT has a
disastrous effect on the hair follicle so it begins to shut
down and the hair eventually falls out.
DHT is therefore
a main cause of female hair loss.
(Sebum is
a fatty substance secreted from the sebaceous glands most of
which open into hair follicles.)
Before
menopause, the estrogen levels are sufficient to counteract the
testosterone responsible for hair loss and this reduces the level
of DHT in the hair follicles.
After menopause, however, a woman's estrogen level
declines which allows more testosterone and androgen to be converted
to DHT, thus contributing to a main cause of female hair loss. The
hair growth cycle reduces and hair becomes thinner and finer.
Contraceptive Pills
Contraceptive pills can also be a cause of female
hair loss in some cases. Changing to a different brand may help
but if the condition persists it may be necessary to use a different
method of contraception.
Alopecia
Alopecia, word commonly used in the context of hair loss, simply
means hair loss. It is a term commonly used to describe the cause
of female hair loss and hair loss in men.
Alopecia
Areata is often used to describe a type of hair loss where
the hair falls out resulting in totally smooth, round patches
about the size of a coin or larger.
The word
'alopecia' comes from the Latin word for 'round'.
Persons become
aware of the hair loss when they see round bald spots here
and there.
The causes
of Alopecia Areata are not fully understood.
Sudden
shock or a stressful event can trigger an immunologic imbalance
which results in hair falling out. Often it regrows by itself
after time.
Pregnancy
The cause of female hair loss is also connected
to pregnancy. Three to six months after delivering a child, many
women notice a degree of hair loss as the hair goes into a resting
phase because of the physiological impact of the pregnancy on the
body.
Diets, Illness, Trauma
A woman's body can also be greatly affected by intensive diets
and losing a lot of weight in a short period of time. Also severe
illnesses and infections can put great stress on the body thus triggering
the hair into a resting phase which result hair shedding.
Often the body recovers naturally within 3 to 9 months and the
hair begins to regrow until it almost resembles its original condition.
Cause
Of Female Hair Loss Information Page - Return to Top
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