You've seen the signs: clumps of
hair in the drain that aren't your husband's…more exposed patches of
skin on your scalp…a feeling of dread as you look at yourself in the
mirror and realize, "I'm a balding woman!" But wait a minute—women
are not supposed to go bald.
That's something only men experience. Not true. Women actually make
up forty percent of American hair loss sufferers. And while no one
wants to lose their hair, when hair loss occurs in women, it's often
devastating for the woman's self-image and emotional well-being.
If you are a female hair loss sufferer, you don't have to resign
yourself to a life of wearing wigs, headscarves, or hats. You can
take steps to lessen your hair loss or replace the hair that's gone.
Following are some suggestions to help.
• Know why you're losing your hair.
Female hair loss can occur for a variety of reasons, including a
hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, low functioning thyroid, and certain
medications. In some situations, the hair can grow back once the
reason for the hair loss is addressed. That's why knowing why your
hair is falling out is important. Here are the most common
scenarios:
• Hormonal imbalance:
In the past, doctors and researchers thought that female hair loss
was simply caused by too much testosterone in the body. While
testosterone is at the core of the balding process,
dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a derivative of testosterone, is the real
enemy. Testosterone converts to DHT in the body and binds to the
receptors in the scalp follicles, shrinking them and making the hair
fall out. This process of testosterone converting to DHT is normal
and happens to both men and women. Typically, women have minute
levels of testosterone, so the conversion is not a problem. But when
testosterone levels rise in women, the overproduction of DHT can
cause hair loss.
• Pregnancy, menopause, PMS, and other life
events:
When you are imbalanced from pregnancy, menopause, PMS, or anything
else that may stress your body, it's common for one hormone to
supersede the other. During these times, estrogen levels fall while
testosterone and progesterone levels rise. For example, many women
lose a lot of hair within a few months following pregnancy because
of these hormonal fluctuations. Fortunately, when this happens due
to pregnancy, PMS, or another stressful event (excluding menopause),
the hair growth process eventually stabilizes and returns to normal.
• Low functioning thyroid:
When you suffer from hypothyroidism (meaning your thyroid gland is
not producing enough hormone), hair loss and thinning are common.
The exact amount of hair loss varies by person. And while you likely
won't go completely bald, your hair may become brittle and break
off, or it may thin. Hair loss may also occur if you have
hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid that produces too much
hormone), but hair loss is more severe with hypothyroidism. Once you
get your thyroid in balance, your hair loss will usually stop,
although whether the lost strands grow back varies by individual.
• Medications:
Ironically, the medication most often
prescribed for thyroid disorders can actually cause hair loss. So
rather than take a synthetic hormone, look into alternative options
that may be available. For example, iodine is a natural thyroid
balancer. Also, birth control pills can cause hair loss, especially
in women who are predisposed to hormonal related hair loss or who
are hypersensitive to the hormonal changes taking place in their
bodies.
• Seek the correct professional care.
When many women start losing their hair, they often do nothing.
They're embarrassed about the condition and don't want to talk about
it to anyone, not even their doctor. However, it's essential you see
your physician immediately when you notice any unusual type of hair
loss. A simple blood test can reveal the root of the problem.
Unfortunately, those who do see a physician right away make the
mistake of going to a dermatologist rather than their primary care
physician. Most dermatologists will review the physical signs of
hair loss and diagnose it as female pattern baldness. Your primary
care physician will run tests to diagnose the problem so you can
take steps to correct it.
• Replace the hair you have lost.
Once your hormones are balanced, your thyroid is working properly,
or you've stopped taking the offending medications, your hair loss
will likely stop. Unfortunately, the hair you've lost doesn't always
grow back. At this point, you need to replace the hair that has
fallen out. Your traditional options include topical applications,
wigs or extensions, or surgery.
Each has their pros and cons. More recently, rather than undergo a
hair replacement process, many women are finding success with a hair
enhancement process like the Microdot technique, which is a
non-surgical option that infuses healthy human hair strands around
and over the areas that have been affected by the hair loss.
Whatever option you choose, make sure you are emotionally ready for
the process and that you choose something that will help you regain
your self-confidence quickly.
Be Proactive
Female hair loss is a serious issue. Unlike men, who can confidently
go out in public completely bald, women don't have that option. A
woman's self-confidence, femininity, and poise are often intimately
tied to her hair. For many women, their hair defines who they are,
which is why most women spend so much time and money caring for
their hair. After all, when you like what you see in the mirror, you
feel better and do better during the day.
That's why being proactive and addressing female hair loss at the
first signs is so important.
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