Female Hair Loss: A Woman’s Guide

Female Hair Loss and Aging

The most common cause of female hair loss is low thyroid function, which is common among menopausal women. Other causes include but are not limited to: changes in hormone levels (decrease or increase), increased testosterone, increased stress (physical or emotional), various medications, scalp/dermatological issues and heredity.

Any time sudden hair loss is experienced, one must consider events which took place up to three months prior to the hair loss, as factors affecting hair loss can often take up to three months to have an effect, i.e., were you diagnosed with something new in the past few months? Did you start taking medication during the past few months? Did you go through a traumatic experience (death of a loved one/friend, divorce and any other event that can be categorized as ‘traumatic’).

Although hair loss in women caused by aging and heredity is usually permanent, you may wish to ask your physician about these options:

• Wigs and Hair Additions. If your hair loss is widespread, wigs may be a relatively inexpensive and easy option.
• Laser Hair Therapy. Low Level Laser Treatments have been shown to slow or stop the progression of hair loss in women.

Most people naturally experience some hair loss as they get older. But age, changing hormones and heredity cause some to lose more hair than others. The result can be partial or total baldness, either temporary or permanent.

There are a lot of so-called remedies for female hair loss, but a good place to start reading about it (from a trusted source) is an article on thinning hair in women at the National Institutes of Health website.

Obviously if you have concerns about your own thinning hair, we are always available to help.