For women, hair loss is a frustrating occurrence. The situation is further exacerbated due to men’s hair loss often overshadowing women’s struggles. This can make finding information on women’s hair loss causes and treatments laborious.
Fortunately, Starks has you covered with our in-depth women’s hair loss guide that will cover everything from the reasons for women’s hair loss to women’s hair loss treatments.
Hair Loss in Women: The Basics
For women, hair loss can affect not only the scalp, but the body. There are a number of reasons why hair loss may occur in women and in all cases, a medical professional should be consulted to determine the reasons.
Women’s hair loss garners much less attention than men’s hair loss, which often causes women frustration because it makes it more difficult to get information. This leads to a difficult journey in finding treatment.
According to Harvard Medical School, one in three women will experience hair loss. That’s 33% of women experiencing some type of hair loss, yet it feels as if we never discuss the issue.
Why is that?
It’s simple, not only does men’s hair loss absorb the vast portion of notoriety, but additionally, women’s hair loss is rather taboo. In other words, women are sometimes uncomfortable having the discussion. For women, hair loss is a more embarrassing condition than it is for men. This is because, obviously, men are expected to experience hair loss.
This leads to women’s hair loss being an underdiagnosed and under-discussed condition. If we aren’t talking about it, it’s not happening, right?
We know that’s not true, particularly when we consider that Harvard Health study. But with little in the way of public discourse, women’s hair loss can sometimes feel as if it doesn’t exists. This environment slows down diagnoses and treatments for women’s hair loss.
This needs to change. Starks is helping to prompt more discussions about causes and treatments.
Women’s Pattern Baldness
Women tend to experience three types of balding patterns.
The first pattern results in minimal amounts of thinning which is usually easy to cover up with appropriate hair styling. The second is more pronounced whereas the hair volume thins and exposes the hair line. The third type of women’s pattern baldness begins to allow the scalp to become visible.
Clearly, the third example is the worst. But the first example should serve as an early symptom of women’s hair loss.
Causes of Hair Loss in Women
What causes hair loss in women? The facts may serve to surprise you. The reasons for hair loss in women are numerous and some aren’t so obvious.
For women, stress and certain medications can foster an environment of hair loss. In cases of stress, women are encouraged to seek out professional help to deal with the causes of their stress. When it comes to medication side-effects, women must have a discussion with their doctor before ceasing the use of medications.
But the main cause of women’s hair loss is the same one that affects men. It’s called androgenetic alopecia. And here’s the kicker – like men, most women will experience some degree of androgenetic alopecia.
The condition can strike as early as puberty. It can be triggered by menopause. It can come on with age. And genetics tend to increase or decrease the odds that it strikes and to what degree.
When androgens hormones are overproduced, androgenetic alopecia can occur. But there’s more to it than that. An androgen-secreting tumor located on the adrenal glands, pituitary glands, or ovaries, can also result in the condition.
When compared to men, androgenetic alopecia, or women’s hair loss causes, are more difficult to determine. This is due to the complicated and difficult diagnosis of androgen-tumors.
In both men and women, androgenetic alopecia causes the hair’s growth stage to shorten. Additionally, this stage causes hair to fall out.
Hair Loss Treatment For Women
Of course, the obvious next step becomes hair loss solutions for women. Because, there’s not a good reason to write this article without discussing next steps.
The good news is that hair loss treatments for women are viable and scientifically backed.
Hair Transplant
A hair transplant, such as the ones offered by Starks, are an effective way to treat women’s hair loss. Because hair transplants involve no hormonal alterations in the way that medications do, side-effects are few and far between.
In fact, hair transplants for women are a growing way to combat hair loss.
Rogaine for Women
Originally used to treat cases of high-blood pressure, minoxidil, otherwise known by the popular name Rogaine, can be taken by women. There are studies that show Rogaine applied directly to the scalp can help treat hair loss in women.
But results are a mixed bag. For some women, Rogaine tends to work. But for others, it results in a waste of money. If Rogaine works, the results are typically seen following four months of application. For some women, it can take a year to see results.
Rogaine isn’t without side-effects such as irritated skin, discolored new hair, and poor hair texture. Additionally, you might experience hypertrichosis, which results in hair growth in unpreferred areas such as the cheeks.
Anti-Androgens
Anti-androgen drugs such as spironolactone, more popularly known by the name Aldactone, are sometimes used by women to treat hair loss. For women with polycystic ovary syndrome, Aldactone may help to lower androgens and save hair. But side-effects such as weight gain, fatigue, and even depression have been reported.
Conclusion
Hair loss in women is a growing concern. Unfortunately, social stigmas keep women from seeking out treatments. Additionally, the common association with hair loss is that it’s a men’s issue.
But more and more, women are finding that they can treat their hair loss. Hair transplants for women are becoming a more acceptable and viable solution. Please visit Starks hair transplant section for more information on this viable, scientifically proven way to beat women’s hair loss.
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