Did you know that most women experience hair fall at some point in their lives? And they have no idea what causes it. There are many causes to hair fall in women including hormonal shifts, diet, stress, or simply the aging process and some other well known factors that contribute to this.
Roughly 1/3 of women experience hair loss, for example, hair thinning or bald spots, in their lifetime. The majority of women lose their full head of hair by the time they hit middle age. This is an issue that has a greater impact on women than it does on men as it’s often harder to conceal. Alopecia can have a huge effect on the emotional health and quality of life of the woman who suffers from it.
Women have been complaining for decades about what causes hair loss and how it can be prevented.In this blog post, we will tell you about some common causes and prevention methods for hair loss.
Causes of hair loss in women:
There are various types of hair loss. This can be due to several causes, and there may also be other medical conditions that lead to hair loss. Common causes of hair loss include thyroid problems and hormonal imbalances. When you find and treat the cause, hair loss may stop and your hair may start to grow again. Other factors to consider are stress, diet, and genetics. Severe physical stress such as going through childbirth, surgery, or suffering a serious illness may precipitate the hair loss. This is a condition in which stress forces large numbers of follicles to enter the rest phase, and after a few months, hair will fall out.
Common causes of hair loss in females are:
-Stress
Stress has been proven to cause hair loss. When you’re stressed your Androgen levels are raised, which can result in bald patches on some people. High levels of stress can also lead to your head experiencing more scalp problems, such as dandruff, disrupting eating habits and messing with the digestive system – all of which have a negative impact on hair.
Stress causes your body to produce too much cortisol, which is a hormone that has been linked to hair loss.Stress-related hair loss tends to be temporary but the more you address it proactively, the better chance there is for reversing its effects. Try to keep stress under control if you want to control hair loss.
-Thyroid Disease
Some studies have found a connection between hair loss and thyroid problems in women.Too much of the hormone thyroxine in hyperthyroidism, or too little thyroxine in hypothyroidism, can both lead to female hair loss. You may experience some other signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism including weight loss, fast heart rate, and an inability to sleep or stay asleep.It is possible to detect thyroid hormone imbalances with a blood test. Once treated, you should notice your symptoms diminishing – including hair loss.
-Family history (heredity)
The most common cause of hair loss is due to genetics. Some people have a greater tendency to lose hair than others.This hereditary condition is known as androgenic alopecia, which affects women. For women, it’s thinning hair along with the crown of the scalp. Every woman inherits genes that can cause hair follicles to shrink, that’s why hair loss usually starts sooner in life. The shrinking usually begins in your teenage years, but it might not show until you’re older. The first sign of hereditary hair loss is usually hair thinning or widening the part over time.
-Menopause and hormonal imbalances
Hair loss during menopause isn’t surprising. Reduced levels of estrogen and progesterone can lead to typical symptoms like the dry skin, night sweats, weight gain, and vaginal dryness. This adds to stress on the body which causes hair loss. With menopause, you may start seeing more hair grow in areas where there never was before or find your existing hair become thinner.
Some women may even lose hair or notice thinning after going off the pill because hormonal changes can affect your hair. Especially if you’ve gone through sudden reductions in estrogen levels, which might disrupt the normal cycle of your hair.
-Alopecia Areata
Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that can result in bald patches on the scalp and body. In many cases, hair grows back after about 6 to 12 months. It’s estimated that less than 5% of women with alopecia areata experience total hair loss over time. It might be contagious if it’s due to other external factors but it isn’t by itself. An autoimmune reaction attacks and destroys hair follicles, so eventually no hairs grow there anymore. If your condition is being caused by inflammation, you may be able to take a steroid or other anti-inflammatory drug to reduce the swelling and hair loss as well.
Lack of B-vitamins
Hair loss in women may also be the result of a lack of certain vitamins or minerals that are essential for normal growth. Dietitians believe not eating enough red meat can lead to hair loss too.
Red meat and other animal foods are rich in iron, a mineral that supports both hair and body growth. Anyone who is already prone to low iron intakes may be even more prone to deficiencies due to the amount they lose during menstruation.
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, may also lead to nutrient deficiencies and thinning hair. One nutrient deficiency that has been linked to hair loss is that of zinc. Deficiencies in other nutrients thought to affect hair include those found in amino acid L-lysine, vitamin B-6, and B-12.
Hairstyles
Tight hairstyles and scarfs can lead to hair loss, which is known as traction alopecia. This occurs when hair is pulled tightly and grips the scalp, pulling it out. Wearing your hair down can be beneficial when you’re experiencing hair loss as it should eliminate the tension that may be causing it. If it ends up being traction alopecia, your hair should grow back. Be careful, especially with the long-term use of tight hairstyles. These may scar your scalp and lead to permanent hair loss.
Hair Loss Prevention:
There are many things you can do to slow or stop hair loss. But what to do depends on the reason why you’re losing your hair. Some situations, like hair loss after pregnancy (telogen effluvium), may resolve on their own. And remember that everyone sheds about 50-100 hairs per day naturally. After knowing the triggering factors for hair loss, here’s how to deal with it…
Mediterranean diet
Diets containing raw vegetables and fresh herbs, like the Mediterranean diet, may reduce the risk of or slow down the occurrence of hair loss in women. When participants consumed high-parsley, basil and salad greens more than four days per week, statistically significant benefits were observed.
Protein
Protein is a crucial component of hair. While, on average, about 10% of the body’s protein should be consumed daily. When it comes to hair, make sure to intake at least half your hand in weight (120g) at breakfast and lunch.
Multivitamins
Eating healthy food and taking multivitamins is the best way to ensure that your body is getting all of these important micronutrients that are needed for the normal growth of hairs in women.
Ginseng
Ginseng is known to contain some chemicals that might promote hair regrowth in women.
Regular washing
Washing your hair daily may protect against hair loss by keeping the scalp healthy and clean. The key is to use a mild shampoo. Harsher formulas may dry out your hair, leading to it breaking and consequently, impacting the rate at which you grow any new hairs.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil has been shown to help protect hair from grooming and ultraviolet exposure. The lauric acid found in coconut oil binds to protein strands and roots, protecting the hair from breakage. Massaging into the scalp may help promote better blood flow, which would enhance hair regrowth.
Gentle styling
Skip tight braids or ponytails that may pull on hair, leading to excessive shedding. For the same reason, don’t use heat stylers like curling or straightening irons. Let your hair dry naturally and you can protect your scalp.
Questions that you might have:
What causes hair fall in females?
Conditions that cause hair loss vary with each one having a different root cause. Some of the most common include pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and anemia. Other causes are autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome, or psoriasis.
Is it normal for women’s hair to fall?
Studies found that it’s normal to lose around 100 hairs of your head daily. Although, 1 out of 3 women loses more than that. Lots of things can be responsible for this, including hormones, medication, stress, and even your styling habits. It is not uncommon for lost hair to grow back on its own once the triggering event has passed.
Conclusion:
Hair loss in females can have a variety of different causes discussed above. It’s important to be aware of the warning signs and risk factors for hair loss so you can seek treatment as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms. Hair loss can be a distressing thing, and it is not uncommon to go through. Even if the hair loss is because of genetics, a disease, or stress; there are also some prevention methods discussed above to prevent this problem. A combination of good nutrition, a physically healthy lifestyle, and the use of certain medications can help reverse your hair loss.
>>>> To learn more, go here