Hair loss is surprisingly common in women, affecting more than 30 million in the U.S., according to the American Academy of Dermatology. It can start as early as puberty or much later in life. In fact, 38 percent of women 70 and older, experience hair loss, partly because hair thickness decreases with age, especially after menopause. Hair loss for women can be emotionally debilitating. Finding a plausible solution is a priority for most, but understanding the ‘why’ comes first.
Hormonal imbalances in women can have several origins. Here are some of the most common.
Progesterone and Estrogen Imbalances
Progesterone and estrogen are two dominant female hormones and both have very vital functions. There are optimal levels in which the hormones should be produced. When progesterone levels are too low, it can lead to the condition of hyper-estrogen or estrogen dominance which can trigger excessive hair shedding and ultimately hair loss. At the same time the hair is thinning, there could be an increase in unwanted facial or body hair.
Overproduction of Male Hormones
Interestingly, while overproduction of the estrogen hormone can lead to hair loss in women, it is the hormone that actually protects us from losing our beautiful locks in the first place.
Typically hair loss is associated with men, hence the term, male pattern baldness. It is not very common in women because they have higher levels of estrogen which helps to balance out the effects of the male hormone, dihydrotestosterone or DHT. DHT is a potent form of testosterone that normally leads to hair loss.
Women who produce high levels of androgens or male hormones have increased testosterone levels which can convert to DHT, resulting in the likelihood of hair loss.
Male hormones aren’t all bad and have vital functions in a woman’s body. However too much of it can lead to all kinds of problems. If you suspect that you are producing too much of these male hormones, get your hormonal levels checked.
Stress
When a woman is exposed to excessive stressful condition, her adrenal glands become underactive as a result of her increase need of stress hormone, cortisol. This causes the body secrete more adrenaline which leads to increased levels of testosterone and DHT.
Under or Over Performing Thyroid
An overactive thyroid and lack of sufficient parathyroid hormone can also result in thinning hair.
Pregnancy and Childbirth
Pregnancy and childbirth alter a woman’s hormonal balance and can result in hair loss. It’s not uncommon postpartum mothers to experience thinning hair and even bald patches. Such hair loss is temporary and typically heals itself within several months. The hair is expected to start regrowing naturally after about 90 days of giving birth and if the hair growth doesn’t return to normal after about a year, there could be another underlying cause.
Medications and Birth Control Pills
Certain medications can lead to hair loss because they disrupt hormonal levels. A medication that is commonly linked to hair loss in women is the birth control pill. American Hair Loss Association (AHLA) advises that women should consider making use of a low-androgen birth control pill to avert the effects of DHT, particularly women who are inclined to hair loss.
Menopause
During menopause, a woman’s estrogen levels fall and are no longer in balance with DHT levels. This low estrogen level and high DHT can lead to hair loss.
Hair Care
Hair treatments can worsen or cause hair loss. Too much coloring, cutting, styling, brushing and blow-drying not only increases the chance of damaged hair follicles, but can also irritate the scalp.
What’s the Answer?
Hair loss in women can be devastating, but there are options. Before you give up on having a full, glowing head of hair, consider hair restoration. Amid the many so-called ‘hair restoring’ products is a proven, patented process that has worked for thousands of men and women. It’s called NeoGraftTM
The NeoGraftTM procedure has swept the hair transplant Dallas market by storm, redefining the hair transplant process and achieving aesthetic results proven to be safely duplicated. Dallas NeoGraft physicians have performed over 18,000 hair transplants with outstanding results.
The minimally invasive procedure takes 50 percent less time than standard treatments for hair transplant surgery and most patients return to work the next day. Understand your hair loss condition to know what your best hair loss treatment is. Whether your condition is hormonal imbalance or something else, hair transplant Dallas experts have the knowledge, skill and experience to help you solve your hair loss once and for all. You have nothing to lose – except, possibly more hair.
