HAIR LOSS IN WOMEN

Introduction

Hair loss is a very common disorder found in women. It can be due to a variety of reasons like hormonal changes, intense stress, low maintenance of hair, reaction to strong medicines and part of the natural ageing process. Let's discuss further in detail what factors can lead to hair loss in women.

Factors affecting hair loss

One of the most common types of hair loss in women is a disease more commonly known as telogen effluvium due to which there is a huge shedding of hair from all the regions from the head. This is because of intense stress that the body undergoes in daily life and also due to hormonal changes in the body. Also a strong reaction to certain medicines can also lead to symptoms of hair loss. This is a condition which can occur to women at any age. In the past hair loss was common in women after the age of 40 years, but now even women of 25 years can suffer from hair loss mainly due to change in their lifestyles. The first symptom of hair loss is generally thinning of hair, followed by spilt ends and then gradual falling of hair.

Normally hair growth takes place in cycles which alternate between the growth period (which continues for at least 3 years) to resting phase (which may last for nearly 3 months). During Telogen (the hair loss phase), the hairs remain confined to the follicle until it is pushed by the growth of new hair in the Anagen phase (the growth phase). At any one point of time, fifteen per cent of the hairs are in the Telogen phase. But when the body has to face excess stress for a long time, a large number of hairs enter the Telogen phase at the same time. As a result a large number of hairs begin to shed.

Another common factor in women that contributes to hair loss is caused due to hormonal changes taking place in their bodies. This is a genetic predisposition which is inherited either from the father or the mother. About thirteen per cent of all women suffer from hair fall after menopause. Hence after menopause, hair loss in women becomes very common. Another factor that can lead to hair loss is the excess production of DHT in the body which may lead to the hair's follicles getting thinner by the day. Last but not the least, prolonged illness and strong reaction to medicine also leads to hair loss. Hence it is necessary to ask for substitutes from your doctor in case the medicines are too strong for your body.

Womens Hair Loss

Women are said to suffer from hair loss more than men. In the past most of the women suffered from hair loss after the age of 40 years or we can say after menopause. However in modern times due to changing lifestyles many women are beginning to lose their hair at the tender age of 25 years. Stress and tension often lead to hair loss. In fact hair is one of the most important constituent's of a woman's personality and hence women lose their confidence even at the first symptoms of hair loss. Let's take a look at some of the most important factors contributing to women's hair loss.

One of the most important factors that contribute to women's hair loss is the change in lifestyle. Women are today becoming more career oriented and have to shuffle between the two worlds of going to office as well as looking after household chores. As a result today's women are exposed to stress and tension which takes a toll on their health as a result of which hair loss is one of the symptoms. Also improper care of hair also leads to women's hair loss. This is because unkempt hair collects a lot of sweat and dirt which blocks the pores and hence the follicles become weak. As a result hair begins to fall at a faster rate. Women should wash their hair with chemical free shampoos more often and also massage their head with oil twice or thrice a week. Massaging your head with oil improves blood circulation and improves the health of the follicles. Using a good conditioner deep cleanses the pores and frees them from dirt and sweat.

Also a woman's body is subject to hormonal changes, especially after menopause. Due to hormonal changes in the body, women begin to lose their hair. Hence women have to resort to taking medications for preventing hair loss. However most of the medications are strong and women may experience certain side effects. As a result doctors are encouraging the use of herbal supplements to treat women's hair loss as they are made from natural herbs and are free from any side effects. Women are also subjected to hormonal changes after pregnancy as a result of which they begin to lose hair. Hence women should start looking for treatments to prevent hair loss.

Hence we see the different reasons for hair loss in women as well as how the symptoms of hair loss can be treated. With the advancement of technology, the treatments for women hair loss are becoming more effective as well cheaper than before.