Hair Loss Is Becoming A Major Problem In Women

For most women their hair is a defining style, and it sends them in to fits of panic when they think their hair may be falling out. They have reason to be concerned because hair loss in women is becoming more common than ever before. The American Academy of Dermatology tells us that approximately 30 million women or approximately 40% of the hair loss group, in the United States alone, have a serious problem with hair loss.

All women experience natural hair loss. It is normal for people, in general, to lose around 100 hairs a day. This is the hair’s way of renewing itself. The hairs that are lost are rapidly replaced by new hairs.

When everything is normal, the hair grows approximately one-half inch in a month. Each hair is on a cycle of growth that lasts for two to six years. When it ends its cycle, the hair rests for a time and then falls out. Then a new hair will grow in the follicle in order to replace the old one. This cycle continues throughout the retiring years.

There is a hormone, called androgen, that can cause this normal hair cycle to be interrupted. Androgen is the root cause of the hair follicle shrinking, resulting in the death of the follicle or causing it to dry up. This alters the hair cycle, and hair is lost. Doctors are puzzled by this event, and they are still looking for the trigger that allows this to happen in women at any age, whereas in men, it doesn’t happen until middle age.

There are several underlying medical problems that can cause women to lose their hair. An autoimmune disorder can produce a different type of hair loss problem. It causes an inflammation which results in the hair falling out in clumps and leaving bald spots.

Any type of traumatic emotional event, such as a crash diet, surgery or childbirth, can alter the normal hair cycle and cause the hair to shed. When this happens a woman can just run her hand through her hair and a handful will come out. Certain health problems or the medication a doctor prescribes can, also, cause hair to fall out. This is the reason it is necessary for a doctor to find the root problem of the hair loss in order to make a proper diagnosis.

To be able to treat a hair loss problem effectively, a doctor must find out if there is an underlying medical problem that is causing the loss. Most specialists that deal with hair loss problems in women will order blood tests and, in some cases, a scalp biopsy. It is much simpler to treat the problem after medical problems are discarded.

Even though it is a difficult decision, many women choose to just accept their hair loss and not to think about it. This is hard for them to do because their hair plays such an important role in their lives. Others choose to use hair thickeners, natural remedies or a wig. They can talk with their doctor about the different medical therapies that are available. If all else fails, and it is sufficiently important to her, she can opt to have hair-replacement surgery.

A woman’s hair is her shining glory and is a symbol of her womanhood. For a woman, the thought of losing her hair is difficult to accept. Always consult your doctor, and try to find the root cause of your hair loss before attempting any other remedy.