Whilst hair loss in men is widely regarded as normal, hair loss in women is just as widespread, just not as often talked about. Women, on the whole, tend to report a decreasing density of hair, or a part-in showing up more obviously, as opposed to a bald patch. But what are the causes of hair loss in women? Keep reading to find out.
Menopause
A lot of changes happen to a woman’s body when she hits the menopause, and one of them can be hair loss. This is because the levels of oestrogen decrease, which can cause the hair to dry and fall out. Eating healthily and conditioning your scalp with a mild conditioner can help to keep your hair healthy during the menopause.
Bad Hair Etiquette
People who excessively use styling tools, such as hair curlers and straighteners, may find that their hair becomes weak and begins to fall out. Hair dyes, and products like mousse, gel and sprays can also damage the hair leaving it unhealthy and frail. Further, putting your hair into a tight ponytail, or using the wrong kind of comb for your hair type, can further aggravate the situation. Hi-tech hair treatments can usually help people with bad hair etiquette if the problem is reported early enough.
Labour
Many women experience hair loss just after pregnancy, but this is usually nothing to worry about. During pregnancy, a woman’s body will produce peak levels of the hormone oestrogen, and when the hormone levels return to normal following labour, hair loss is expected. This is usually temporary, and hair should start to grow normally again after just a few weeks.
Extreme Weight Loss
Hair requires nutrients in order to stay healthy, and when your body lacks them, it can cause hair loss. People who follow fad diets are especially at risk of hair loss as usually they promise quick weight loss results, but don’t consider what the body actually needs to remain healthy. Put simply, if you follow a fad diet and don’t ensure that you’re taking in enough vitamins and minerals, you are setting yourself up for other problems including hair loss. Remember to eat enough protein too, as this produces keratin, which keeps the hair strong.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s circulatory system, and because of this, lower amounts of oxygen and nutrients reach the extremities of the body, including the scalp. Without good blood circulation to the scalp, your hair is unable to get enough nutrients to keep it healthy, hence it falling out.
Medications
Finally, some medications can also cause hair loss. It’s best to read the side effects of any type of pill you are prescribed, and talk to your doctor about any issues you have. The main pills that cause hair loss are those that are taken to change your hormones – this can include birth control pills. If you are worried about the side effects of coming off a specific type of pill, speak to your doctor, as there are other medications that can help combat the side effects.